Today we’d like to introduce you to Milkah Sadiki-Yisrael.
Milkah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I believe that everyone travels to this physical realm with a mission. Now that I’m becoming more aware of my purpose everyday, I humbly look back at my childhood in awe that I had always been divinely guided to this path before I even knew who I was. I’ve been performing for longer than I can remember. As a child, I’d write short scenes, my siblings would be my actors, and we would produce full-blown talent shows in the den for my parents. My mother, Fadiya Yisrael, always tells me stories of how as a baby, I would hum along with songs I had never heard. I understand it was because my spirit was one with music and I intuitively knew the next melody.
My school years consisted of Band, Chorus and Musical theatre while my summers were filled with exciting theatre intensives. I was selected and received scholarships be a part of the BroadwayDreams Foundation, The Alliance Theatre Teen Ensemble, the International Thespian Society, and the Palefsky Collision Project, where I had the pleasure of working closely with the distinguished playwright/author, Pearl Cleage.
During my Tri-Cities High School experience, I was Sandy in GREASE, Shuler nominee for Best Lead Actress for Leading Player in PIPPIN, Ismene in ANTIGONE, The Witch in INTO THE WOODS and Erzulie in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, where I received the Best Actress in the State of Georgia award at the OneAct competition. I also played Rafiki in THE LION KING at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center. I’m so grateful to have had access to these opportunities at such a young age. They helped to build a solid foundation for creation. It tossed me into a larger space to explore the dimensions of who I am as woman entering adulthood as artist. I was extremely outgoing when it came to sharing other people’s art but when it came to mine, I shut down. My writings are personal so I was very skeptical about sharing until I realized that it wasn’t mine to keep. If it heals me, it can heal others as well.
With that enlightenment, it was no longer just about me. It was no longer about my personal feelings or my anxiety. It was about being open to the universe for a greater purpose. There’s also no such thing as a coincidence so when multiple artistic opportunities started opening for me, I was more than open to receiving them. I started taking advantage of social media and posting my freestyles. I started reaching out and supporting other local artists and sharing more music to vibe to that’ll also bring awareness to different social issues. This was natural for me growing up with parents who are activists. Now, I create different pieces that contribute to the growth of my community. There’s always something to learn, there’s always something to do, there’s always something to create.
Great, 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?
The road will never be 100% smooth but I’ve learned that everything can be a blessing in disguise if you perceive it to be. Covid-19 had been an emotionally taxing struggle for us all. I pray for the families that have lost loved ones and who are still suffering. Thankfully, I have received some blessings through this season. I didn’t know how much I needed this time to sit back, reflect and create until recently. I was freaking out about things way beyond my control instead of controlling what was in my midst. I learned to stop making excuses for myself and just go for it, find the lotus flower.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I wear several hats as a singer/songwriter/Thespian and self taught guitarist with beginners training on Aerial Silks and Trapeze. Also, my family makes 100% organic body butters, hair oils and hemp soaps. Our company name is “Nappy Vegan”. Since I was a child, my mother taught me and my siblings the dangers of chemicals and preservatives. Our philosophy is “if you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin.” As a creator, It’s my duty to create and spread powerful messages and love through all forms of art. Love for the Arts will bring us all peace and as long as I’m creating some form of art, I’m content with life.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I’m the second oldest nine siblings so there was never a dull moment in my house. I have so many moments that I hold close to my heart that its hard to choose just one. We use to put on talent shows, create jingles, go to amusement parks, pull hilarious pranks on each other and do whatever we could to occupy our young minds. One of my favorite pranks was feeding “delicious treats” to whoever fell asleep first. “Delicious Treats” being whatever random food item we decided on for the night. Our catchphrase was, “Did you enjoy your delicious treats?”
Pricing:
- Nappy Vegan “Made with love” body creme $12
- Nappy Vegan Hair oils $10
- Nappy Vegan Hemp body wash $15
Contact Info:
- Email: ankhpranamusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Ankh_prana @thenappyveganlife
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/user-pranamusic
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