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

Hi Emaje, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up the Stars I saw on TV rather it was Kim Kardashian and her famous family or heard Beyoncé on the radio they both gave me hope from my own reality. To some the entertainment industry was just that “entertainment” but not for me.. It made me believe I could start a new life one day..Create a new reality for myself and give my future family the life I felt I deserved from the beginning! Since a child I felt lost and as if I didn’t belong in the world I was born into..many times I felt trapped in my family home even in between the various cities my family would move to.. but its what I saw on Tv that gave me the vision that there was more to life than my surroundings..Fast forward to 2016, I was 20 years trying to get my feet wet in the industry by interning to Wardrobe stylist on Commercial and TV sets and working a full time job at a popular department store until one gloomy day I fainted while working and later found out I had rare Heart condition and would soon undergo multiple surgeries..lose my job ( both of them ) and eventually have to live with a pacemaker today! Although it was during those many hospital stays I discovered “Digital creators” on YouTube. So I’d tell myself “One day, when you feel better this is going to be you!” ..it took some time before I was able to make this a full time career of course but I caught the Eye of the woman I admired on TV ….Kim Kardashian! And I was gifted a Barbie doll and handwritten note from not only my idol but the woman who inspired me to chase my dreams as a child.

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’m a beauty and health influencer who offers a unique perspective because of my heart condition. I believe I show everyone you can indeed still chase your dreams despite having a chronic illness.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First stop would definitely be Snoblife to introduce her to my homegirls/guys to get her hair done..followed up by the St,Regis Buckhead spa before lunch at Red pepper for tacos… later on in the evening maybe Hide or blue before the club like Eleven45.

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?
@Iamminglee she’s like an older sister figure to me which I’m beyond grateful for but Also, without even trying rather she knows it or not she’s always been a mentor to me! She gave me the best advice when I first started out and that was “Rather you have 1 follower or 1 million followers! Be consistent!! “ and it’s because of those words of wisdom I’ve become everything I am today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emajeharris/?hl=en

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCDPnn_nxFavJbcV7NPxg1WA

Image Credits
First image for cover photo was taken by Khiry @agiftedproduction

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