Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia Bia.
Hi Tia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Tia, and I consider myself to be an individual of many talents. I dance, I model, I write, and I do a little bit of acting and designing on the side as well. I consider myself to be a brand rather than simply an artist because I believe that with the talent I possess, I can in turn encourage others to go for what they believe in. It all started as a vision that I believed was much bigger than I was. A vision so big that I was afraid to even go after it because I knew not everyone would support it wholeheartedly. They would not believe it as much me. My inner desire to be helpful to those around me in some way was always the goal. Figuring out how was the challenge.
So I started small and focused on the things that I could use to my advantage. One of the tools I used was social media. I made every social media platform with the intention to connect seamlessly and be easy to understand what was in store. I started with Instagram, then moved to YouTube, and now my very own website. I decided to stop waiting to be noticed by someone and making my own path so that I can give people with creative aspirations the opportunity to curate their art in a safe and free environment. It is still a work in progress, but the information I am willing to share will always available to everyone. I am now creating, directing, and editing my own creative content. I am also a freelance model working with multiple black-owned designers, and working as a brand ambassador for multiple Atlanta-based brands as well. I am currently in a counseling program attaining my master’s in school counseling with hopes to change the dynamic of how the school system encourages and empowers the youth.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I do not think anything that is worth having will ever be easy to obtain. In a previous interview with Voyage, I also mentioned that putting myself put there was probably the hardest part for me to overcome. Getting out of my comfort zone, and moving towards accomplishing something, not only for myself but for my family as well. Leaving a legacy behind for my children, and their children to come. Also making sure that I am able to define what success means for myself is what pushes me to go towards it every day. Leaning into my strengths, and acknowledging my weakness and working at them every day gives me the motivation I need to get to the ultimate goal.
I have probably heard the word no, or not today, or not right now a thousand times. That is just a part of life, and it’s way of telling you that there may just be another path that is better for your situation and that you just have to trust it. Life is all about challenges, you just have to take it as a lesson that will build you into a stronger version of yourself rather than a failure. From my personal spiritual perspective, God would not tell you to do something, or give you an idea, just for you to fail. If anything it was to learn to do it a better way, or learn that it was not meant to be in the first place and that it is ok! My advice to situations like that is to keep your head up and keep moving because there is always someone with less than you who is willing to work just as hard as you for whatever it is they want or need. It is all about how they react to the situations they are in that make all the difference.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I definitely feel as though I am in a lane all on my own. Sometimes it becomes quite scary, and unpredictable, but sometimes extremely rewarding. My hopes to become a full-time producer and dance choreographer is currently being sewn into place. I also want to establish a therapy program for young adults in their high school careers. As high school can be the determining factor for which path you choose to take in your adult life, sometimes it can cause a lot of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. My goal is to attain my master’s in school counseling to be able to establish those programs within the school systems. Group therapy sessions that include creative freedom, artist ventures, and open dialogue to have a discussion amongst the members of the program. This way, they will have an outlet away from school, and home to find who they truly want to be throughout their lives without much of the pressure.
While doing that, I hope to start producing more choreography, and visual art that will encourage others to live in their truth and honor their own dreams no matter how big or small. Being a first-generation Caribbean-American it was tough trying to find my footing in the arts community. I still decided to put myself out there anyway and went into creative ventures unafraid to fail.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My biggest support system has been my family. I have been so grateful for their support in my endeavors because not a lot of people have the same support from their families. I am grateful for all of my friends as well who have also been extremely supportive towards my creative work. They have also assisted me with many of my projects, and have provided me with the materials that were necessary to create my art which I have been so extremely grateful for. My dance coaches, my high school teachers, and definitely some of my college professors have played a major role in my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tiabiaa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tia.bia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tia.bia.79/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXaHfuhhp58AN9Jg4tRDIQ
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/theblossom_podcast/
Image Credits:
Photographers: Kevin K. Shanni Tsunami Jordan Desamours Squalla 08 Merchadise
