Meet Aaleyah | Upcoming Fashion Stylist, Upcoming Professional Dancer, Small business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaleyah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaleyah, why did you pursue a creative career?
Since I was born, I have always wanted to be involved in the arts, whether it was dance, film, photography, or fashion. However, growing up in a Black family, I was often told to focus on STEM fields because they were seen as more reliable for making money. I understood their point, but my passion for the arts never faded; I was just afraid of what others would think. My main goal was to find a group of people who appreciated what my family didn’t understand. Once I realized that my fear of being noticed was unnecessary, I started making more videos to express myself in my own way. I also knew early on that I didn’t want to work a 9-to-5 job for the rest of my life, especially during college. I began posting fashion videos in December 2023, and while I didn’t become consistent until this summer, it has been a lot of fun and I have met a lot of amazing people along the way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I create fashion styling content for Instagram, I am working on becoming a professional dancer, and I recently started my own business. What makes me different from others is that I always try to do something new. I don’t have just one “dream career,” but I have many goals I want to achieve in my life. I had to do a lot of work on my inner self and heal from childhood trauma that was holding me back from being consistent and motivated. It wasn’t easy, but creating a safe space for myself really helped. One big lesson I learned is to just start. Pick up the camera, write the first sentence, or do anything to get going, and things will fall into place. I want everyone to know that it’s okay to start your journey late; we all have our own timelines. But if you really want something, you have to be ready to put in the work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am not in the city often but If my best friend were visiting for a week, we would spend a day exploring thrift stores like Value Village and Park Ave Thrift, where we could find great clothes at affordable prices. After that, we’d head to the Little Five Points area to check out the unique shops and vibe of the neighborhood.

Then, one evening, I would take them to a block party, especially one focused on Afrobeats or Caribbean music, to enjoy the lively atmosphere. We’d also look for fun events to attend, like a streetwear market, a fashion show, or a black cookout, where we could meet interesting people and try different foods.

Throughout the week, we’d try out local restaurants and cafés that reflect the diverse culture of the area. I’d make sure we have plenty of time to relax in parks or hang out at cool spots where we can soak in the local scene.

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?
Usually, I would thank the people around me, like my friends and family. I’m really grateful for them, especially my mom for encouraging me to try new things when I was younger, and my friends for supporting me now. But today, I want to give a special shoutout to my younger self. She helped me find my spark again after I lost it for four years. Little me and my spiritual team were there for me when I felt lost. I also appreciate everyone who has influenced me to start my career in this field.

Website: https://albumarchives.us/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/us3r.ley4h/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEhzAHM3ovUf0T9YPsFNVbA

Image Credits
Madison, Sofie, Brandon