Today we’d like to introduce you to Akili Yasmine.
Hi Akili, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I like to consider myself an expressionist – meaning that I am open to whatever medium God provides me on my journey that allows me to express myself! In this season of life that is through holistic healing, yoga, creative direction, and serving as a muse! I’ve always been someone who believed that everything I do must have PURPOSE and be aligned with my Divine Purpose! So, when you ask how I got to where I am today the best way for me to describe is through complete FAITH.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I was working in corporate America as an administrative assistant, and although I was grateful for the opportunity and income… I wasn’t fulfilled! Every day I would think… if this was my last day on earth how sad would it be that I spent two hours of my day in traffic and 10 hours sitting behind a desk unhappy. God gave me the pandemic as a way out. Throughout the pandemic, I experienced loss, growing pains, trauma, healing, love, heartbreak, and spiritual awakening which led me to where I am today.
Once I learned to trust fall into God’s arms and trust that LIFE IS GOOD AND SHOULD BE GOOD things started to align and I am so grateful.
“On the other side of complete fear and terror is complete bliss.” – Will Smith (Will Autobiography)
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?
On my journey to where I am today, I’ve experienced challenges but I don’t see them as setbacks but as experiences that prepared me and molded me for this present moment.
In modeling, I’ve faced challenges like accepting myself as “worthy:” enough to model, being taken advantage of by companies, companies stealing my likeness, being a melanated, shorter model in an industry that is more recently diversifying, and not being paid what I am worth.
On my journey deeper into holistic wellness I just never felt like I was ready or I felt like “I wasn’t healed enough” to help someone else along their healing journey but I am learning not to listen to the fear talking me out my purpose!
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 am a model best known for my work with African Pride Hair Care. I was blessed with my first billboard in Time Square in December! I am most proud of the work I am doing as a holistic wellness apprentice.
I am most proud of my own personal healing that has taken place on my journey to learning how to help others heal. My favorite quote is “Heal yourself, heal the world.”
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I can’t narrow it down to just one favorite childhood memory but most of them take place at my grandma’s house in deep south Alabama with my entire family present!
Contact Info:
- Email: akilibookings@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.selectmodel.com/atlanta/women/lifestyle/akili-yasmine
- Instagram: instagram.com/akiliyasmin.e
Image Credits:
Bill Board: African Pride Hair Care BW: Stephan Fields Brown: Timothy McGuire
