The Eephus: Interview With Julia Sewell, Founder of Queen U

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After reading your bio, it states that you began your career as a motivational speaker at the age of 12. How did this process begin?

I’ve always been outspoken and true to self. It all began from my aunt pushing me to challenge myself in my gift. My first speaking engagement was in front of over 5,000 people. I remember being so nervous, but being so at home on stage. After that I started getting offers to perform speaking engagements around the world. Before I turned 18 I’d performed in Germany, France, Great Britain and Canada to name a few. Some of the people I’ve worked with include State Farm and Colin Powell. After I said yes to the Universe, yes to God, and yes to being a Vessel I mean, things just started miraculously coming. I didn’t have to change myself to fit any mold, I was straight up me. Relating to people no matter where they’re at, that’s my gift.

In Malcolm X’s speech “Who Taught you to Hate Yourself?” He points out that living in a white world we’re taught that black features are ugly, and that until black women are supported our men will never be respected as so. Do you believe that with enough support, black people will truly be able to love themselves?

For someone to love themselves it takes more than support, it takes the willingness to love themselves. It takes the knowledge of knowing that loving yourself is THE most important thing. We need a new mindset, we’ve given our minds, some voluntarily some involuntarily over to a system that doesn’t serve us. We need to be rejuvenated mentally to realize who we are. Once you know who you are, then that’s where support will be relevant. We have a beautiful culture; we are a beautiful race and we have forgotten everything. Society doesn’t give you triggers to make you aware, they give your triggers to put you to sleep. When you recognize who you are you don’t question, you don’t put yourself in degrading positions because you know you are royalty

On your website, I noticed what seems like a toast. There were large tables shaped into a square with girls at every angle. Some holding clear plastic cups, others holding mason jars all filled with wine. They proceeded to verbally commit to bettering themselves. Is this a ritual for Queen U? And how do you believe this impacts the girls’ lives?

All of Queen U’s workshops are in a circle to show we are one. To answer your question, it is a ritual because to speak life into yourself in front of others holds you accountable. Until you have the bravery to speak the things you want into your life, they won’t happen. Because you must believe it first. The purpose of this ritual is to manifest women into queens in the presence of other women who are becoming queens as well.

Princess U is a division of Queen U that caters to adolescents. Growing up a strong-minded, determined black girl, was there ever a time you experienced self-doubt? If so, how did you overcome it?

We all experience self-doubt. Being someone who’s gift was very apparent from a young age, the doubt came from not seeing anyone around me who had the same desires I had. Because I didn’t see it in front of me, I had that little doubt saying, “Well, can I really do it? Does this exist? Is this a possibility for me?’” My response to fear and doubt was to perform. I may have been the first or only black person there, but I did it. I don’t deal with self-doubt any longer but when I was younger to help cope I would breathe, and put back into perspective why I’m here. And that always motivated me to say, “You know what? This dream was put into me to exist. If I don’t do it maybe it won’t exist. And I’m not ready to risk that.”

What is your definition of a Queen?

A Queen is a woman that does not ask permission. A Queen doesn’t wait for your approval. A Queen doesn’t give a f*** about your opinion. A Queen is someone who loves herself unconditionally and is always aligned with her truth. She does not sacrifice who she is. As women, we’re always sacrificing pieces of ourselves, for our friends, partner, family, work etc. We’re all queens in different stages of awareness. A Queen is aware of who she is, and so she is aware of who she’s not.

#Queen #PublicSpeaking #Woman