Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Sterling.
Hi Cameron, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me, it’s always a privilege to share my story and connect with others. I wanted to introduce myself, primarily focusing on my work with “The Green Ribbon Project”, a blog and podcast dedicated to destigmatizing mental health while encouraging open conversations within local and global communities. As for my other pursuits, I am a freelance writer and stylist. I wear many hats and currently am the lead hair stylist for “The Pretty Committee” beauty agency based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and San Francisco, California. We travel for styling work for private clients, as well as film production, editorial publications, and special events. I write my blog through The Green Ribbon Project and am also a staff writer for “Sound View Media”, for which I write feature film reviews. My good friend, Jess Carae, who referred me to VoyageATL, founded The Green Ribbon Project, bringing me into the fold as the head writer, for which I am truly grateful.
Writing is my greatest therapy and assists me in organizing and analyzing my stream of consciousness. The goal of the project is to help share the stories of people in our local community and beyond who struggle with mental health. Through honesty, empathy, and inclusion, we want to enable people to have a platform where they feel safe and supported. . While the basis of this project is to focus on mental health, it is also important to tie in the very real social problems that we are facing in our world stemming from the current political climate which affects women, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color. All of the chaos and hatred that has culminated can create a detrimental effect on humans suffering from mental illness, particularly those that are in marginalized groups. Through our combination of social media posts, monthly articles, and interview podcasts, we will be able to reach new audiences and aid in ending the stigma surrounding mental health.
My mission is to build community in every space I occupy, whether through writing, beauty services, or group conversations. If I can help even one person feel less alone and more empowered, then I consider myself to be successful.
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?
Rarely have I had a smooth course on my way to achievement. However, as cliche as it sounds, I am grateful that it has not been easy. I have had to struggle and scrap my way to what I wanted, and I am stronger and more appreciative as a result; I take nothing for granted. I suffer from chronic depression and anxiety, as do many. There are days where I don’t want to get out of bed, yet I do every morning and always find something to keep me going.
Life is so fleeting and it is important to always show up and give any task 100%. I am also a queer individual, and the LGBTQ+ community has always had to face discrimination, violence, and undue social backlash. We have had to be strong and brave, knowing that we are under threat and scrutiny. I am fully aware of the obstacles stacked against me, yet I continue to put my best foot forward every day and help others to feel the same level of confidence and self-motivation.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a writer, podcaster, content creator, and stylist. While those are my primary roles, I dabble in visual art, modeling and acting. I have always been someone who wanted to do multiple things and go after it all. Life is too short to be in just one place and to be just one version of yourself. I have been fortunate to have my writing and styling work published, I have worked on major feature films and have been photographed for multiple publications and walked in runway shows. I never deviated from myself and always found it important to be relentlessly authentic.
While I am primarily known for my styling work and writing, I am known as someone who cares about my community as a whole; as someone who inspires others to be themselves and to be successful in their own right. I have not “made it” until my friend family has made it as well – uplifting and encouraging others Is my most important goal.
I am someone who sets goals and makes them happen – my ultimate goal is to be the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair since they cover all of the issues I care most about: culture, fashion, politics, and art. I want to be someone others can come to and pitch their ideas which matter most to them and create a space where they feel safe to do so and all grow together.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I grew up moving all over the world since my father was involved in international business. I have never lived anywhere for more than three consecutive years at a time, living in all coasts of the US as well as in Spain and Germany. While it may have been challenging at times, those experiences set me up to be adaptable and motivated while being comfortable with different people and situations. I was always the new kid at school, and still feel that way in my work. And how fun is that? I get to meet all kinds of people and am richer for their friendship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wcthompson.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: @cameron.sterling93 / @thegreenribbonproject
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063625534333
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thompson_wc
- Other: https://wcthompson.wixsite.com/website-2
Image Credits
Photography Credits: (listed in order of photos) 1. Personal Photo: -Photographer: Christina Vera. -Makeup artist: Emily Frew 2. Additional Photos: -Picture 4: -Photographer: Emily Annett -Picture 5: -Photographer: Jamie Lynn Cheeks -Makeup artist: Jess Carae -Picture 6: -Photographer: Christina Vera. -Makeup artist: Emily Frew Picture 7: -Photographer: Christina Vera. -Makeup artist: Emily Frew
