THROWBACK: Leaping Without a Net -- a DJ's Story

We talked about freedom at work this month in the Career Support Group for Black Women. Specifically, how do we cultivate freedom in our careers when you work a toxic full time job? We examined this question for ourselves and how we can use freedom as a personal value to drive our career decisions and navigate the workplace.

It reminded me of one of my favorite conversations on the podcast about following your dreams.?

“If you don’t have a nest egg of 4 years of savings that you can live off of, does that mean you shouldn’t pursue your dreams? Absolutely not. I never want anyone to think that you can’t take that leap and still be smart about it.” - DJ Reborn

Today’s post is a summer throwback to my conversation?with the one and only DJ Reborn, DJ, Arts Educator & Sonic Activist based in Brooklyn NYC. For over a decade, Reborn has been moving and inspiring audiences with her blend of soul, hip-hop, reggae, house, Latin, Electronic, and Afrobeat. She’s toured with Lauren Hill and has worked alongside the Roots, Common, Talib Kweli, John Legend, and India Arie; appeared on BET’s Rap City; and served as the 2004—2005 international tour DJ for Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam.?

In this episode, DJ Reborn opens up about her path to becoming one of the most sought after DJs in the world. Growing up in Chicago, she was inspired as a child among a family of musicians she ultimately followed her passion to do music for a living. We talked about a come-to-Jesus moment, her career crossroads when it hit her while riding the NYC subway heading to her day job that she needed to take the leap and go from side gig'ing as a DJ to start her musical career full time.

Reborn tells us how she made her mark as a Black woman in a male dominated field through relationships and being the best at what you do. She shares the ups and downs and how to move through the fears of striking out on your own. Reborn tells us how artists and marginalized persons can learn to stand their ground and stay true to the work while still making a living. Amidst the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, Reborn also shares how she used this time to reinvent herself and bring new marks of inspiration to her work.

You don’t want to miss this super inspiring conversation. If it’s hair wash day, let this episode play while the conditioner saturates your curls. It’s self care Sunday, after all.

Listen here.

>>Original post appeared in June 2020 issue of the Dreaming + Doing digest<<

PS: If you want to leave your toxic job but need a little support and accountability, joining the Career Support Group for Black Women is for you. Let’s get free together! Sign up today.