Tag Archives: Dream

SORAYA JOSEPH: FROM RESTAURANT MANAGER TO ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR AT XONECOLE

Posted in Career, Empowerment, On The Rise by

Industry: Journalism

Hats: Entertainment Editor of XoNecole, Creator / Creator of cthagodworld.com

School: Florida International University

Major: Journalism & Mass Communications

Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 2.38.03 PMCharles Swindell once mentioned “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90%  how you react to it.” When Soraya laid in a hospital bed suffering from Crohn’s disease, she vowed to herself  that when she gets  healed she would pursue her career in journalism wholeheartedly. In fact, it was during those painful times that she found writing in her journal therapeutic. Fast forward to today , it is quite obvious that she didn’t let her setback become her reality.She’s been recognized as one of the top 19 “Women in Media” by iHeart Media & Power 105.1 (along with xoCEO Necole Kane), and was the youngest on the list. In her own words, her hustle can be summed up as: “Writing, hosting, and doing the most-ing!” Lets find out more about Soraya.

Where were you six months after college?

Life after college was a bit dry. I moved to NYC the next day after graduating with no jobs prospect. However, I ended up contributing to a lifestyle blog called “Friends With Benefits” and was working in the retail and restaurants industry. However, my friends from BrklynStickup  noticed my writing and asked me to be their publicist. While I was pitching them to a popular Hip Hop website, that same website ended up offering me a salaried position. I was excited, I thought this was my big break until they had to let me go 4 months later because of budget cuts. Here I was again, back to square one applying for jobs.

What are three things you’ve told yourself that kept you going during your darkest hour?

  1. This is just temporary.
  2. There’s no testimony without a test
  3. No matter how lonely you may feel, you’re never alone. God is protecting you at all times.

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WHY WE ALL NEED SOMEBODY TO LEAN ON?

Posted in Empowerment by

As I stepped out the train platform early Tuesday morning, I came across a group of singers sponsored by the MTA- Music Under NYC . Unlike other days where I am maneuvering NYC subway traffic during rush hours, this time I found myself glued to the platform as the group sang  Lean on Me by Bill Withers.

My reaction caught me off guard as tears started to fall down my face partially ruining my makeup. Where was this coming from?  Why the sudden tears?…I was being reminded of how far I came as an individual, how far I came to accept that “failure” is not the end of it all but a lesson and that life is a roller coaster. You see this girl couple of years ago,when faced with life hurdles would keep to herself and handle business as usual. I had the tendency of blocking whatever was going on in my life and putting on this poker face. It was natural and easy to deal with and plus I was never fond of having people in my ” Business”.  I always figured that people had their own things to deal with , why would they want to hear mine? But, when you have a circle of people who LOVES you, they notice unusual patterns, such as being MIA or even the little things like your smile.

Life planMy lack of disappearance from social events, became a red flag to my friends and family and they quickly reached out. It was then I realized that I can’t go through life alone. What was I stressing about ” Life” It wasn’t going how I planned it to be ( Bratty Nat)  I wasn’t satisfied with my job amongst other things. However, even though I complained I managed to  be grateful for the things that were going well.

So as the group sang “Lean on Me” it was a reminder of where I was a year ago and how I managed to push through. If you are out there and you are having a hard time I pray for you.I pray for every twenty somethings trying to figure “life”out; just remember you’re not alone. Just learn to embrace your journey, because later you will realize that it was all part of the process.

Put aside comparing yourself from others virtual prosperity and focus on your goals. All that I ask of you is that you find someone you can lean on, a friend a family member, if anything you should always lean on the word of the Lord for comfort. At the end of the day, we aren’t meant to fight our battles ourselves, reach out to someone.

Love Always.

Nathalie C.