We recently had the chance to connect with Salecia Barry and have shared our conversation below.
Salecia, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
Shorthand, everyone. I am constantly learning. I learn how people win, how they lose, and how they recover. I learn from it all. I love the human story. Absolutely every story has some kind of wisdom in it and it’s all necessary.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Salecia Barry, the founder of Kaleidoscope Palace. We center the narrative and experience of black, brown, and indigenous women and femmes through all forms of media and art. We produce music, films, books, and journals that are all focused on exploring identity and expanding the concept of oneself.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
There is a dense pressure we place on little black girls and I was not immune to it, either. I felt responsible for everything. If someone didn’t like me, it was my fault. If someone was unhappy, it was because of me. If something went wrong, it was because I didn’t do enough. As I grew through my life, I learned that none of that was true. I had to release myself of that expectation. I had to get comfortable with the outcome too. When people are accustomed to you in one form, and you transform, there is an adjustment period for them. And it might not always be a smooth one. But what I’ve learned most is that it’s not my job to shoulder that burden for them. Running myself into the ground and ignoring my own needs doesn’t save or help anyone.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I do and it’s the very reason why I do what I do. Being heard and truly listened to, is such a sacred thing. It can make all the difference. When you don’t feel heard, when you feel like what you think or desire is insignificant, it can just poison everything you try to do. It is so important to feel heard. It’s just as important to make sure you are listening too.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say compassion matters most to me. I’ve found my life is most fulfilling when I’m expressing it for myself and those around me. There are so many things going wrong all at once and getting worse every day. I’m one woman. I can’t stop it all today. But I can love as much and as often as possible for as long as I can.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I’m most at peace when I’m experiencing joy. There is nothing on this Earth that is better than laughing with loved ones. Joy brings me peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kaleidoscopepalace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaleidoscope.palace?igsh=MTQzdTQzMGhiNHY3MQ==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salecia-barry-246734318?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kaleidoscopepalace?si=D1wj2BI2nyPEBxPD
Image Credits
Salecia Barry
