Today we’d like to introduce you to Hajaratu Jaafaru.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up, I’ve always been a creative & quite a curious individual! I played the viola for 6 years and also was involved in a lot of after school activities in high school. I believe modeling is something that comes easy to me, just tapping into another creative part of myself. Nonetheless, Kinda was discovered by a photographer based in South Dakota named (https://www.instagram.com/phusuda_/) Phusuda Baah on Jan 3rd, 2019. I was waiting for my bus to my internship at M.E.D.A (Metropolitan Economic Development Association) at the downtown Starbucks in Minneapolis next to the bridge. Phushda liked my outfit and said they were looking to take pics of me. So I agreed, at that time I had short blond hair and black long nails. I definitely don’t know what I was doing but at the same time, I did. I just channeled the energy of me posing in the mirror by myself. After that day Phushda sent me the pics she took and went our separate ways. A year later she reposted the same pics we took and added the Vogue logo on them. She asked me if I wanted to shoot again since she’ll be in town. Then BAM! 2 days later on June 22 2020 I brought my besties (Athena Estime & Amelia Bowser) to come along to the shoot at the thrift store Hunt & Gather.
As we were shooting my friends and Phushda were hyping me up and saying I was a good model and a natural. To me I was just moving and posing for what felt good to me, trying to get good pictures. After getting a lot of love and affirmations from them, I decided that day June 22 2020 that I will pursue modeling. And from then on I would actively search for shoots and even at one point had my cousin/bestie Awazi Jaafaru become my manager and help me get collaborations to build my portfolio. I did a lot of research on modeling and actively practiced posing. My family and friends were so supportive of me which is truly amazing and I have so much gratitude for them!
Right now I’m pursuing other endeavors alongside modeling, making music, creatively directing & modeling in my first creative project & art show (which will be showcasing sometime in the fall of 2022 stay tuned on my IG page for more info) & hosting events with Kreyatif Noir ( Kreyatif- Creative Haitian Creole; Noir- Black French) is a collective with the primary goal of creating and holding space for BIPOC artists, community members, and activists through networking, community-building, and other programming that is culturally relevant and prioritizes wellness and holistic well-being (https://www.instagram.com/kreyatifnoir/) where me & Athena are the co-founders, hosting and organizing intentional events for the BIPOC community within the Twin Cities!
Alright, 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?
I think it has been pretty smooth, although I would love more paid work as a creative & model. But my Journey up till this point is still a learning process. I don’t know what I’m doing as long as what I’m doing feels right and my intuition says yes. Then I know I’m on the right track despite any struggles. So far I’ve been really grateful and fortunate with the amount of support from my family, friends and community.
I would also say, it does sometimes gets difficult when I start to compare myself to other creatives, who I do get inspired by but can get wrapped up in my head. I try my best to remind myself my journey is my own and only for me to understand and or not understand, and honestly celebrate everyone’s win!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I do for a living is experience life’s pleasures and learn the lessons along the way. I would say though that, I’m a multifaceted creative, with getting my start with modeling in 2020 then in 2021, I got involved with organizing and hosting events and this year dabbling into making music as well as creatively directing my first Art show!
Honestly, I specialize in experiencing the human condition as a multidimensional being, learning, relearning lessons of my ancestors and the karmic energy of my avatar.
I’m mostly known for my modeling but I’m currently branching out into different things and wanting to be known as a well-respected community member and creative.
I’m most proud of my drive and my commitment to my emotional, spiritual, mental and overall growth to and for myself. Because I love myself and I’m committed to the journey of me, I’m able to show up for the individuals and the communities as my best self, and however, I show up at that time, even if I’m not feeling my best self. I’m proud of my growing commitment to continue to choose love & balance in all aspects of my life.
I believe what sets me apart from other individuals is my self-awareness and my ability to continually be curious about the world around and within me. I believe everything happens to me, not to me! And because of this mindset, it allows me to trust the process and know that everything happens for a reason. Thus, I’m growing & in the process of becoming more intentional in all aspects of my life; everything is energy & energy can never be destroyed or created it just changes. I choose through my art and other things in life to alchemize energy into what my truth is if I feel called to do so.
How do you think about luck?
I believe that everything happens for a reason so, I would say that I’m definitely lucky and have good karma on my side and I’m protected by my ancestors.
Growing up I’ve been super fortunate to have met and continue to meet people who support me and want to help me and vice versa.
But I’ve been super fortunate and lucky! I’ve been lucky in my life to meet people who support me and have led me to opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hajaratujaafaru.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatgirl_hajo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatgirlhajo
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thatgirl_hajo
Image Credits
Amber Griffin ~@amgriffin.was.here (gold chrome)
Awa Mally ~@awamally (yellow background)
Phusuda Baah ~@phusuda_ (vouge & orange picture)
Godfree Manley-Spain ~@mindfulspain (blue picture)
Emma Qiuli Lyons ~@qiuliphotography (Purple picture mob journal)
Jerad Christopher ~@jerad.christopher (Black & White picture)
