We had the good fortune of connecting with Euwarnii Hughes and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Euwarnii, what inspires you?
I am inspired by family, culture, imagination and faith. I put Family first because they are the people who help shape and empower you in life. Culture is next because I love researching and learning about Cultures of people, how they live and why they do what they do. Creativity is next because even Einstein said Imagination is the language of the soul. The best is faith, it’s the glue that holds it all together. All of these factors coalesce inspire me throughout my day and life to create meaningful empowering art, illustrations, manga, motivation and more!
What should our readers know about your business?
My business is Great Gale LLC. A business dedicated to empower kings and queens to seize greatness! What sets my business apart is at it’s core it’s major tenet is the Second Wind Phenomenon. When you are physically exhausted and feel you can’t go anymore the second wind is an internal drive, an upsurge of energy from within that helps power you through your goal! So whether it’s: motivation with the Elevate with E Podcast, Styles that inspire greatness with GreatGaleSheaflo, Graphic design via logos, business cards, websites that authentically showcase what makes a business/brand/product truly special or showcasing authentic Black Representation via BOLDSAGA, the goal is the same. To empower and uplift the reader to keep going and reach their goals!
I am most excited about finishing my Afrofuturism Manga BOLDSAGA. As a lifelong fan of this genre I got tired of the lack of authentic black representation and decided to make the change I wanted to see. So after 18 years of research, reading how to draw manga books, maxing out my local library at 95 items twice(mostly how to draw manga books) I feel now I am ready.
BOLDSAGA follows the adventures of Masego Umnatha, a meek teen unashamed to follow his dreams, of becoming the next Anansi like his role model Shaka Zulu, but first he must overcome tests, trials and a rite of passage that leads to a supernatural encounter where he finds out what it truly means to be bold!
This is a story that showcases the majesty of African Culture, with top-tier industry standard quality, African Culture with languages like Xhosa, Khoi, Zulu as well Diaspora representation with Antiguan dialect. In addition there are African Martial arts like Nguni Stick fighting, Musangwe, Capoeira and African Mythology with Anansi. This story even showcases Adinkra, African aphorisms that add to the substratum of the story! It’s a story that the manga industry needs. Black people who are into manga and anime are tired of lackluster representation of black people that lacks authenticity. BOLDSAGA is a heartwarming story showcasing Black Love, Black Family, Faith, Black Angels, and so much more!
On top of all of that each chapter has 4 educational pages teaching young kings and queens more about the African Empire the story is based on, the African President with a connection to the story, as well as helping them learn how to speak an African Language. This series is overflowing with Black Excellence from cover to cover and it’s an honor to fill this void!
I got to where I am business-wise today by being resilient and studying. I say resilient because I honed my skills in graphic design by trial and error. The skills I am best at, logo design, came from failing the fundamentals of how to create them. But after studying tirelessly as well as becoming Computer Graphics Club president while in Nassau Community College I changed my status quo. By doing logos for clubs on campus and teaching members of the club I finally understood what makes a logo special. I take this attitude into everything I do. I aim to learn as much as I can to create what is truly required. Not just flashy but meaningful!
This was in no way easy. Learning Graphic Design was the hardest experience in my life. When I started the degree I was more interested in creating Video Games but changed my degree to graphic design due to the cost of the major. There is a major lack of game designers and developers that are black as well as authentic black representation in video games that isn’t stereotypical. I want to be a part of the change. However I also chose graphic design to understand how to draw on a computer and learn the industry programs.
So every class felt like nails on a chalkboard. I hated it at first but once I slowly started to understand the strategies and machinations of Graphic Design I was intrigued. It was like Chess + Art.
I feel I overcame this by: faith in God because many times I felt like quitting and the cost. After many C- and D grades I came to the realization I am paying for this major. I can’t be paying all this money and still failing. So these two facets inspired me to keep going through the pain till I got my reward, graduating and finishing the degree!
I have learned many lessons along this journey including: Make something Cool, It’s not over until I win, Keep it Simple Stupid Principle, First you learn the rules of the game then you learn to play better that anyone else and don’t let the opinions of others obfuscate your purpose and belief in yourself!
I want the world to know that If I can do it anyone can do it. All my life I feel people have been underestimating me, putting me in boxes based on preconceived notions, and bringing me down with their limitations. This is why I named my Afrofuturism Manga BOLDSAGA. It’s an acronym for Brave Onwards Limit Destroyer. This is the principle I have used in my real life to win. It’s how I was able to finish Ch 1 after: 4 years of failed concepts, 2 years of research and work. It’s how I released ch1 only 2 months after my dear grandfather passed away and working on his funeral program and Billboard to honor his life. It’s how I destroyed the limits life threw in my way and not only finished one but two chapters of BOLDSAGA. How I even got BOLDSAGA to be a part of the BSP App by Black Sands Entertainment, the number 1 Indie Black Publisher in the nation! My brand and story is built on the pillars of authenticity and resiliency. If setbacks, depression, anxiety, death in the family, pandemic can’t stop me from releasing my manga then what’s stopping you! You have the power to live your life on purpose and live your dreams!
In fact you can be a part of taking BOLDSAGA to the next level as we rewrite the narrative together! We are having our first Kickstarter on Juneteenth 2021. Please help us take our story and brand to the next level so we can empower, educate and inspire more kings and queens!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If we’re hanging out in the city we would visit a few places. One of them is Central Park, very scenic and it has a great zoo inside! We would have to hangout at Dave & Busters! We both love video games and the food there is great too! Also we love movies so we’d definitely go by the AMC movie theater! These are some of the most exciting places we’ve visited in the past and I would love to go again!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I recommend De’shaun Bayne. Not only is he my best friend and brother but he is an awesome photographer and incredible writer. One of the reason I am into making manga is directly connected to how he encouraged and recommended certain manga titles to how he even helped me while I was getting into graphic design! He definitely deserves all the recognition and credit due him!
Website: https://greatgale.com/
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatgaleco/
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/greatgaleco
Twitter: https://twitter.com/greatgaleco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatgaleco/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgZwS4cwRiG8d_KvqslCP7A
Other: https://clubhouse.com/@greatgaleco https://www.tiktok.com/@greatgaleco https://www.fanbase.app/greatgaleco
Image Credits
Euwarnii Hughes, Tamara Hughes
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