Pass her The Mic Feature

We’re proud to be introducing you to, and featuring one of our community members! Today in this edition of Pass Her The Mic, we’re highlighting and interviewing Chioma Ossai and the incredible work she creates.

Chioma, please introduce yourself!

I am the author of “A Journey to Self-Love,” which explores concepts of softness, vulnerability, and sensuality. My poetry is often centered around themes of identity, healing, and authenticity, that challenges what it means to know and love one’s self. I was born and raised in New Jersey and currently based in Berlin, Germany. I received my Bachelor’s in Music at Montclair State University, and I’m a classically trained pianist. My mission is to simply tell inviting stories through poetry, music, and blogging with the hope to evolve, share, and inspire others to write stories of their own. Eventually I hope to provide workshops and resources to women that are centered around self-love and self-development.

What brought you to the place you are working from now, essentially, what in your history inspired you to do what you do NOW?

Mainly my mother, and the many conversations I have had with friends about setting boundaries and catering to self. They have often encouraged me to share my story and host discussions around these topics. Covid also gave me the tip to reflect and realize the importance of sharing one’s story. Every time I read my own work, I got emotional and knew that it was time to share my story in order to inspire others.

How do you define “collaboration”?

Collaboration is about sharing and exchanging ideas. It is about people working in unity and alignment to create something bigger than them. Collaboration is about cooperating, creating, and crafting something that tells a powerful story meant to inspire others.

How has collaboration helped you grow and succeed?

Collaboration has allowed me to see my strengths and weaknesses and where I could improve. It has required me to learn how to work with people and their different learning styles as well as their work ethics. Collaboration has also helped in my creative process and has challenged me to find innovative ways to tell meaningful stories.

What do you want people to remember most about the work that you’re creating?

I want people to remember how it makes them feel, and what it inspires them to do. I am an artist first, and I understand the value in art and the emotions it helps to evoke. I also want people to remember that they are just as capable of telling their stories in the way they want without permission. I hope people see themselves in my work and are able to feel inspired enough to write their own. Lastly, since my poetry focuses on healing and identity, I hope people form a closer bond with their own identity and are able to use some of the resources I include in my book of poetry to heal and become a better version of themselves.

What’s the next thing for you? What are you working on?

So I’ll actually be having an event with LBI this Sunday at 2pm EST to celebrate my book “A Journey to Self-Love.” Tickets are on the LBI site. The next thing after that is simple. To create and to empower. Specifically, I am in the process of editing my second book, Becoming Chi: The Journey to Self-Discovery,” which is set to release in the Fall of 2022. I am also working on crafting a newsletter that includes writing prompts, tips, and daily practices that are centered around self-awareness, healing, and emotional wellness. I would also love to host a women’s conference centered around these ideas where we could actively practice self-love. My hope is that women can leave this conference feeling empowered and be able to incorporate these practices in their daily lives so they can continue to strive in their business and personal lives.

Thank you so much for sharing who you are, what you do, and why you love it with us, Chioma! We’re looking forward to your upcoming event!