Rising Stars: Meet Phylicia Stewart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phylicia Stewart.

Hi Phylicia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
I was on the tail-end of a particularly tough chapter in my life when I created my first street interview video in August 2022. My little brother has a camera, and I randomly asked him to film some content for me. My first question was, “What advice would you give to someone going through a tough time?” The responses I received were not only insightful but also deeply uplifting and gave me hope through my own struggles. I hoped the messages would encourage and resonate with others, but honestly, I didn’t expect it to get much traction since “positive” content doesn’t usually get much engagement. Shockingly, my very first video went viral. That was confirmation to keep going. I started posting more videos, but I was pretty inconsistent for the first several months. Eventually, I decided to take it more seriously, and in March 2023, I officially named my brand “Humanity Speaks.” I thought that name embodied my view that humanity has so much to teach us when we listen. We can learn so much from others. 

We just celebrated 1 year! We still have a long way to go, but I am proud of how my little idea has grown. 

Alright, 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?
I didn’t anticipate the financial strain of the content creation journey—filming consistently, investing in equipment, editing software, etc., all come with a price tag. But my biggest struggle? Time management. Balancing the demands of this business with my already busy life is challenging. But every late night and weekend sacrificed has been worth every minute. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a proud double alum from Georgia State University, holding a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Public Health (MPH). For the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a public health analyst. My role has taken me across the globe and allowed me to author 4 scientific publications. Outside of content creation, I’ll admit—I’m a bit of a nerd at heart! But whether I’m delving into public health research or creating content, I approach everything with the same enthusiasm and dedication.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Probably being outgoing and stepping out of my comfort zone to connect with people. It’s not easy walking up to strangers for interviews. I still get nervous to this day, but I always tell myself the worst thing people can say is “no.” 

Time management and discipline are also important to maintaining the silent grind of behind-the-scenes work—editing, planning, and strategizing. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanityspeaks_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HumanitySpeaks/featured
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@humanityspeaks_

Image Credits
Phillex Stewart
Ryan Kimbro