Rising Stars: Meet Niah Symone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Niah Symone.

Hi Niah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
At a young age I always knew I wanted to create and base my career off of the fashion industry. I would steal my mother’s clothes, shoes, makeup, etc. even if they wouldn’t fit me. I was the little girl who was always told “this isn’t a fashion show” as I would just do the absolute most whether the setting was appropriate or not. On top of that I’ve always been a tall girl so of course, I would get the questions of “do you play a sport” or “do you model” until I finally got fed up and decided to see what all the hype was about. In 2012 I competed in a national modeling and talent competition called AMTC in Orlando, FL where I was able to showcase my talents in front of many internationally well-known modeling agencies such as Wilhelmina, Ford, Select, and Click Models of Atlanta. After a long hard working weekend I walked away as the “Overall Female Model” of the entire competition as a 13-year-old competing with women who had entirely more experience and were much older than I was. After returning back to Atlanta I then signed with Click Models and my journey began from there. During AMTC I had never felt more like my authentic self. God/Universe was placing me right where I belonged to open my eyes to the future I was made for.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Around the age of 16 I started to allow everyone else’s opinion of me define who I would become and what I wanted to do with my life. I completely detached myself from any creative ventures that lit flames in my heart and started following the cliche societal norms that any high schooler at the time thought was the right thing to do. I played volleyball and wanted to be a lawyer but neither of these interest of mine felt like my own. I continued this path throughout my 4 years of college as well only to graduate and feel like I was starting all the way over at square one. During this time I also began my spiritual journey which I believe has created a newfound sense of purpose within myself, still learning each day, but watching my beliefs and mindset change in only a matter of a few months has truly changed my life for the better. I began to get closer with my inner-child, going back to the hobbies and interests I took on as a child that allowed my to feel like my authentic self again…which was modeling and being creative. After taking the time to re-learn and invest in myself I was getting casted for music videos, photoshoots, and even getting to accomplish a lifelong dream of mine by modeling in September 2021’s New York Fashion Week. After seeing my dreams come into fruition so fast I began to work even harder because at that point I felt like there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish without faith in myself and a good work ethic.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Now I am currently the Creative Director for In The City Magazine, a black-owned magazine company and brand located in Atlanta, Georgia. I have had the opportunity to manage and direct my own photoshoots, attend events as a creative/influencer, and manage wardrobe styling. I love what I do, it allows me such a huge space to do what I do best, create. The amount of networking and doors that are just waiting to be opened are endless and I’m forever grateful that I am finally able to say I am walking in my true path. I wake up every morning with the goal to inspire, especially our youth who have so many talents and gifts that they don’t even know what to do with. I want people to understand that we are all big kids on this playground called earth, the greatest thing we can do is remain youthful and never quit our daydream. I want to encourage anyone with a sure passion to never give up and to always follow their heart. The goal is to have a career that doesn’t feel like work, one that feels effortless to our God given gifts. One that allows you the space to be exactly who God put you on this earth to be. You are purposeful and capable of an abundance of great things, you indeed have the choice to live your life to the fullest and not allow it live you. No matter how big, small, or even absurd your dream may be…its intended for only YOU to experience, so why spend it doing what others expect of you?

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.inthecitymagazine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niahsymoneb/