Meet Alexis G. Ditaway of TheLexMix/ MyPrideApparel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis G. Ditaway.

Alexis G., can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up in Memphis, TN, I was blessed to be in a city of immersed in Black music and culture. Whether in school as a violinist, in church as a choir member and director or just going to concerts with friends whenever we could, my love for music grew as the years went on. My mother also instilled in me a love for reading – when I was a child she would find me tired in the morning even after sticking to my bedtime only to find that I would crouch near a nightlight in my room after the coast was clear to continue reading whatever book I’d chosen for the day. As I matriculated through school, I knew that I wanted to find a way to combine these worlds as a career.

After high school graduation, I decided to enroll at the University of Missouri, home of the best Journalism school in the country. I had the highest hopes of becoming a journalist but my insecurities regarding my slight speech impediment moved me into the direction of Strategic Communications. I then decided that I would be great in advertising or as a Communications Director. “Surely,” I thought to myself, “THIS is the thing for me.”

Needless to say that as I continued to make plans aligned to what I thought I wanted and what was good for me, God laughed! I absolutely hated Journalism with all of its structures, rules and practices and my grades began to reflect it. So in the summer of 2016, I made a change that would change my life: double-majoring in Digital Storytelling and Black Studies. I immediately found that I had the freedom to make my own discoveries and combine what was important to me: Black culture, history and impact as well as how that can be effectively portrayed to the masses on digital platforms. I successfully completed my degree program, developed skills in both social media and music programming and went on to begin a career in communications.

Now, I have used my talents and experience to impact everything from social media and public relations to non-profit, music and brands. I’m so excited to be on this journey to grow even more for not only myself but those around me.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Chile, if there was a smooth road to get here, I wish I had known about it much sooner! I may look like I have achieved a lot of success but that has not come without experiencing a fair share of failure. When I was in college struggling to leave my original program of choice, I was placed on academic probation for four straight semesters. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety during my sophomore year and became completely withdrawn from my friends and loved ones. I’ve been told “No” or “Maybe next time” for so many internships, jobs and leadership opportunities that I wanted so badly. I’ve been so afraid of my potential that at times I settled for mediocrity just to feel safe and in control. I’ve been broke, hurt, overwhelmed and overall defeated many times over the past six years.

All of these things have attempted to stop me from achieving and continuing on a journey toward my goals and reaching my best self. But I have learned to live by “Amor Fati” – not simply enduring the good and bad that happens in my life, but actually learning to love it for what it teaches me. Taking all of the struggles that have happened to me and using it as foundation has made all of the difference and is the only thing that sets me apart from so many other people.

TheLexMix/MyPrideApparel – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
In May 2020, I began TheLexMix – a weekly music newsletter that includes musical commentary and hand-selected playlists that I have created. After hosting and producing a radio show in college, I wanted an outlet to express my love for music that would still give me full autonomy but would not interfere with my 9-5. I also felt as if music could use more opinions and curation from Black women, so this is my way of doing so. I listen to everything from R&B and Hip-Hop to jazz, Big Band, Country and classical – having the opportunity to encourage people to listen to music they’ve never heard before and think about how music truly impacts culture is amazing! And hearing that someone added a song I selected to their playlist, learned something new from a sample or just enjoyed listening brings me joy.

In addition, I am the Content Strategist for MyPrideApparel, a now ATL-based Black-owned clothing brand designed to empower and uplift Black women. Working with this brand for nearly four years, I have been able to grow from a blog writer, t-shirt designer and social media manager to overseeing how we can use content to engage with our audience. As a young Black Woman, it’s an honor to continue to work for a company that puts Black women at the forefront of what we do and see people who look like me feel included and inspired.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
In all honesty, my best career moments are not defined by statistics or achievements that can be measured in money or numbers (though those are nice!). The best moments in my career come when other Black women, both young and old, have looked at me and been inspired to continue on their own paths and follow their dreams regardless. After throwing an event during college for over 100 women with my own resources/budget and seeing women impacted, inspired and thanking me for giving them the space to be themselves encouraged me. It’s when I speak up for myself at work and others tell me how I encouraged them to do the same.

When I send out a playlist newsletter and someone tells me that I changed their perspective on a song or artist, or when a simple post that I make for MyPrideApparel turns into Black women giving their advice and perspectives to help others. THOSE are the moments that make every triumph, failure, moment of clarity and fear of disappointment worth it. My life is nothing more than a collection of blessings that God has favored me to see and to know that it has inspired others that look like me? It is worth the journey every single time.

Contact Info:

• Website: myprideapparel.com
• Email: welcometothelexmix@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myprideapparel/?hl=en
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheLexMix

Image Credit:
Jenna Cederblad

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