Meet Stephanie Meech” Amichia | Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie “Meech” Amichia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie “Meech”, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important thing I have learned in starting The Blueprint is Black is being realistic about support. Your people, your friends and family that have known you with and without a business, are not your audience and are likely not to be the support system you have created in your head you need. Honestly, their lack of support has more to do with them than it has to do with you! Our people don’t necessarily want to see us fail but they surely do not want to enable the possibility that you could successfully acquire a new life without them. It took me some time to stop taking the lack of support so personally and learning to pivot but when I did I saw something I was unable to see before because I was zoned in to being bitter about my friends. You and your brand/business is a breath of fresh air for someone you have never set eyes on but in order to reach them you have to put your head down and work. With discipline, consistency, and drive you can beat any algorithm into providing you the audience and support you have always dreamed of. The results are all in your work ethic and ultimately self-confidence. Why should someone support your brand if you seem discouraged about its course too? Create the vibe and maintain it, your audience will find you! Be a thermostat, not a thermometer!

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.
My art is in my voice. The art of conversation and interviews to be specific. As a child talking a lot is often demonized by adults. My report cards were always filled with amazing grades but never failed to come with an extra note attached, “Stephanie is a very brilliant student but talks way too much.” For much of my adolescent through young adult life I simply started to quiet down. The quietness, though counterproductive to the practice and proper use of my voice, it set me into a new practice of intentionally and thoroughly listening to others. When I had began playing basketball at Louisiana State University I was given a multitude of opportunities to not only learn about public speaking but also practice through interviews and media interviews for games. This is where my confidence started to come back because I started to see that my way of speaking and engaging was not only seamless but also the way people seemed to get an “ah-hah” moment from me. I realized that though, I had my own opinions and beliefs, I have the ability to take in other opinions and schools of thought and still have a fruitful conversation and build instead of creating animosity and resentment. We are meant to learn from one another so being set in your own was and thinking can sometimes create the opposite effect!

The Blueprint is Black was created to Celebrate, Validate, and Educate all things Black and I do that by conversing with black people about their careers and their perspective in the world we live in. I have the natural ability to take complete strangers through a conversation and uncovering things for our community to be inspired by. My voices strength rests in the idea that my voice was given to me to speak life into and upon others, not to boost myself up. Being Black anywhere is not an easy life to live, but we deserve to be loved and praised out loud and on time, not after we’ve been stolen from and made to feel like we are not giants to those around us.

All I want the world to know is that this success is not much of my own, just a gift given to me to use to expound on the lives of Black people in their own words, in their own truth. I am just a vehicle of these stories. Always gracious and humbled by each opportunity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would be lying if I said as a person born and raied in Georgia that I know my wsy around. I am fairly new to being “outside” as the folks may say, so I am slowly learning what I do enjoy about Atlanta.

My go to outings when my friends do come in town are a trip to the High Museum because it takes your breath away no matter how many times you go. Its also a great opportunity to be a piece of art amongst the art, come dressed to impress! To follow that I would go for lunch/dinner at Sivas in Midtown if we are looking for an upbeat and fun vibe and if we want to do something more chill but still aesthetically pleasing, I would choose The Atrium which is brand new to Atlanta! After food and a mid afternoon, early evening nap, its time to go out for the night. If there is no current Creatives After Dark events which can be hosted anywhere in the city, my next option would be bowling at the The Painted Pin with great finger foods, drinks, and games outside of bowling. After a few games I would more than likely vote to end the night at an Atlanta strip club so i can be entertained and eat some of the best wings in the city. My choice will always fall between Blaze and Magic City.

The following day we will kee it simple and more about relaxation and recivery. My favorite outdoor spot in the city is Vickery Creek Falls out in Roswell, GA. Though it is a little removed from the skyscrapers and fun spots in the central Atlanta area, the waterfall and the trail out in Roswell is a very grounding experience and a beautiful site. It can get packed out from time to time, but do not let it deter you because there is much ground to cover if you give it a chance. I usually start with a hike and end with getting down into the water and allowing the waterfall to spray lightly over me as i take in the good weather! Jeju Sauna in Duluth, GA would be a great follow up after a great workout and time in the sun. Jeju Sauna is a 24-hour spa that has a multitude of services to help bring you back to life whenever you need it most!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is dedicated to my 3-year-old son, Malachi. He has been the main driving force for my dedication behind The Blueprint is Black.This lane I have chosen to be in is not only for me to make a brighter future for us but I want to be a part of bringing more representation of Black people to the forefront. Affording my son the opportunity to see hisself in more places than just on a sports field or in a music booth. It’s also very motivating to see his eyes glisten and him scream about seeing me on tv whenever I pull up my episodes on YouTube. He is truly my number one fan and I pray he reaps all the blessings to come in this lifetime and when I am gone!

Instagram: @MeechOfAllTrades / @TheBlueprintIsBlack / @CreativesAfterDark

Twitter: @MeechOfTrades

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN5y-nmvZUuDAHfkK6vWxfQ