When They Told You My Name, What Else Did They Say?

It just dawned on me that you may not know who I am. I came into last week’s post talking about getting back to writing and the community I had built through connecting words and wellness. But I didn’t introduce myself to those who may be new here.

I am Yolanda Danae, and I connect people from all walks of life through storytelling and shared experiences. What that means is that I merge my passion for writing with my love for people to create spaces that encourage accountability, emotional wellness, and community building.

For the past nine years, The Sassy Rant has been the primary medium for how I do and share my work. I’ve curated a sophisticated panel series addressing issues within urban communities, hosted creative writing workshops, and have partnered with local organizations to bring aspects of my work to their clients. Additionally, I’ve written for several print and digital publications and enjoyed my run cohosting a radio show highlighting upcoming music and creative artists.

I found it necessary to give you a quick rundown before we got too deep into the work and reward of things. All too often, many of us show up to a space being all that we are and sit tucked away, not wanting to bring too much attention to ourselves. Even at some of my past events, I’ve always wanted moderators and a very small support team in place managing various stations. Until I started hosting more intimate group events, people would see me working the room and have to be told by someone else that, “this is actually her event.” I didn’t want the responsibility of being seen, I just wanted the people to get what they needed. And there’s nothing wrong with making the work the focus, but there is something worth unpacking when you’re choosing to hide behind the brand as if people don’t deserve to know the human managing it.

It’s important that people know who you are and what it is you’re contributing. And it’s even more important that they know it because you told them. I know this now, and I’m presented with the choice to live that truth daily. I don’t ever want there to be confusion about who I am or what I represent because I believed that someone else had a better rundown of me, than me.

I don’t want you to miss out on the sweet rewards of your work because you’re too afraid to speak on your own behalf. Let today be the day you reintroduce yourself. Let today be the day you take center stage.

- Yolanda Danae