Sakinah Ibrahim Talks Being Nominated For an NAACP Image Award

Sakinah Ibrahim, a professionally trained dancer and author of Big Words to Little Me: Advice to the Younger Self, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for her outstanding literary work. With a focus on exploring the African diaspora and promoting youth empowerment through movement, Ibrahim developed a curriculum called Diaspora Dance that includes Ghanaian, Jazz, and hip-hop dance, which helps black and Latino youth develop a sense of cultural identity. Beyond the dance studio, she’s hosted empowerment workshops for young women in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Orange County, Springfield, and New York City.

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Black Enterprise caught up with the young trailblazer to learn more about how she was nominated for an NAACP Award and her best advice for young people on becoming more confident and secure.

Black Enterprise: Tell us about your background.
Ibrahim: I’m a first-generation college graduate. I have my Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of the Arts and my Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine in dance. I have a performance background in dance and theater. I have been teaching dance for about 10 years and recently transitioned into program coordination. I really love teaching young people black history through movement.

How did you become nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work- Instructional?
I received an e-mail from NAACP that the book was eligible for submission. I have no idea how they got my contact information. Then, I had to submit the book to the Nomination Committee.

Considering you’re a professionally trained dancer, tell us about the a-ha moment that inspired you to write Big Words to Little Me: Advice to the Younger Self.
During a volunteer assignment, I was speaking with a group of young people about how to work through their obstacles. I kept saying, “I wish someone would have told me this.”
I started reflecting on my own life experiences and trauma and began journaling about what I wish I knew when I was younger that would have served in making me more confident, secure, and happy. I personally carried a lot of pain that wasn’t my own. Then around 5 a.m. one morning I woke up with the title Big Words to Little Me

in my mind. I had this vision of offering a guide to girls all over the world. I wanted to expand my ability to mentor beyond the classroom. As I started doing my own healing, the themes for the book became clear. I was learning we all suffer in some of the same ways. My favorite chapters are “Feeling Alone/Me Too and It’s Impossible/ I’m Possible.”

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For youth to lead happy and healthy lives, what three things are necessary for them to navigate life’s challenges?

• Self­-worth and confidence ­- Having the ability to see beyond circumstance and feel a sense of value for their life. Becoming determined to beat the odds because they feel great about [themselves] fundamentally.
• Love, Love, and more Love ­- Being surrounded by adults that teach and give examples of love by what they do, how they treat themselves, their families, and the community. We have to correct through the lens of love.
• Access and Resources ­- Young people have so much energy, but it has to be directed in positive ways. Having access to good education, programs, and resources that support their interests can make all the difference in navigating life and what they decide they want for themselves.

What qualities have helped you succeed thus far?
Having drive and a passion for the arts and self-expression as well as service. I am learning that when you place service to others at the bottom of your desires we are happier people.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how have you overcome it?       In my book, I talk about challenges that I have faced, such as having an incarcerated father, and the trauma of my family being affected by gang violence. The challenge in front of me right now is helping my partner who had a sky­-diving accident have a successful recovery. My mentor, Daisaku Ikeda, says, “Life itself is a struggle.” I try to have an attitude that living is what we do in order to overcome our challenges.

In your experience, what’s the one challenge that all young women face, and how can they overcome it?
The one challenge I see in all the young women I’ve worked with is their ideas about body image, sexuality, and self-esteem. A sense of self­-worth and being present in environments that give you permission to be free, bold, outrageous, and true to yourself, are so important. They all have this special light they aren’t aware exists and as life happens you either become aware of it and let it shine, or they close up and become fearful of it. Giving them permission to become and discover their true selves is the hard work.

You can invite Sakinah Ibrahim to facilitate a Big Words to Little Me empowerment workshop” and get a copy of the book for yourself or a young person.