Welcome back to another feature by the Rooted Minds Blog, where we connect with Artists and Entrepreneurs to learn about their journey and shed some light on the various happenings in our community.
Our brand is big on being able to connect with other emerging artists and learn about their journeys. So many of us have very unique stories and approaches, so we believe that it’s important to highlight those moments and continue to put that good energy out into the world.
Kahari is an amazing young writer and we've been blessed to have his support. Kahari has placed in the top 3 of several of our Rooted Minds poetry contests and even submitted content for our Virtual Let Us Vent (LUV) Event in 2020. His creativity and story telling ability stands out as he inspires his listeners to believe in themselves and to have faith. His work ethic and positive outlook shows how rooted he is in his faith. Let's dive into the story of this poet.
Check out Kaari's 2nd Place Winning Poem
Topic: The Voice of Today
A Letter to My Past Self - 2022
BIO: Kahari Malik Young is a writer, poet, and philosopher with experience in public speaking and motivating others.
From IG:
I am a Poet, Orator, Philosopher, Appreciator, Motivator, Commentator, Blogger, and Devotional-Author📝🎙
Keep your best days in front of you.🙏🏿🙌🏿😇
SPOTLIGHT FEATURE
Kahari Young
RM: Rooted Minds
KY: Kahari Young
RM: What has been your journey to being in the field that you’re in today? (Artist, Musician, Athlete, Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Creative, Etc.) What has been the most impactful lesson that you've learned?
KY: I became a poet in high school. I use to write poems to my high school crush because I was too timid to express how I really felt in person. I felt most confident expressing myself through the written word of poetry. Poetry became an oral source of healing for me when I was requested on multiple occasions to perform a poem in memory of my loved ones, at their home-going service. In my Public Speaking College course, my professor and classmates often complimented me on how poetic and theatrical my speech presentations were. My English professors also encouraged me to keep going forward in my literary endeavors and that I should look into publishing my poetry.
RM: For those that may not know, how did you come up with the name or concept for your business, brand, channel, or project?
KY: The name theheartofkahari was inspired by Luke 12:34, “Your heart will always be where your treasure is.” I love speaking from the heart. I think speaking from the heart is the best representative of who I am and who I desire to become as a more mature loving person.
RM: 1) Tell us about your inspiration behind an upcoming project. 2) What do you hope to accomplish and what do you hope people take away from it?
KY: I am creating a daily-devotional Note-To-Self video series. The accomplishment is in the joyful journey of creating each video. I hope to inspire others to become the most inquisitive, introspective, improved version of themselves after they view and reflect on the lessons within each devotional video.
RM: What are some effective ways you've marketed yourself in your space and industry?
KY: I used attention-grabbing headliners in most of my videos. I also used hashtags to connect with people who share the same inspirational interests as myself.
RM: How have you grown in your field (entrepreneur or creative) in the last 5 years and who's been influential in that process?
KY: I have grown significantly in my field of Spoken Word. I would like to give my first word of appreciation to Jesus Christ. I would not be the Performance-Poet and Spoken Word Artist that I am, without the strength that Christ strengthens me with on a daily basis. All because of Christ, I am able to walk in his ways of poetic edification.
My first boss, who was the owner of Heroes At Home Barbershop, Mr.George, has been influential in my genre of Spoken Word. Mr. George gave me the opportunity to showcase my passion. He revealed the power of not settling in my comfort zone of only posting poems on social media. He unveiled that it was alright to speak my given-gift to light, despite my nerves being present in the building. He displayed the power of the timeless proverbs, “Aye- we all got to start somewhere" and "Time is of the essence." His optimism is a godsend that I will continue embracing in my own life. He showed me that Kings are those who love serving the essential needs of their neighbor and community as a whole.
RM: What are some short-term goals that you are working towards, that friends and supporters can help you with?
KY: The short-term goal that I’m working towards is making 50 Note-To-Self devotionals. I think my friends can help me with my short-term endeavors by providing great conversation like they always do. I see conversations that I have with friends as acts of improvisational creation, regarding the perspectives that add edification to the way I live my life.
RM: 1) What are one or two things that keep you rooted/grounded? 2)How do you practice good self-care or how can you practice it better (if you've been lacking in that area)?
KY: Exercising and taking long walks in the park keep me grounded and from getting lost in the abstraction that comes from being a dreamer and artist.
I’ve been lacking in reading books. I can definitely get better at unplugging myself from the digital world to sit down and actually finish my books, rather than skim the soundbite portions of the book.
RM: What are some words of wisdom or encouragement for upcoming creatives, entrepreneurs, or people in a similar situation that you'd like to share?
KY: Develop your craft for the love, first and foremost, and all things fulfilling will undoubtedly be added to your creative journey.
RM: What has been the best piece of advice you have ever received in reference to your journey, career, and industry?
KY: I would love to thank the most inspirational person that I know, my marvelous Mom, for instilling her memorable words in my life, “Remember you can do whatever you set your mind to do.”♥️
I would love to thank my friends for edifying me with words such as, “You are a Modern Day Langston Hughes,” “You just keep sharing who you are love, the right people will be drawn to the fire,” and “Keep em coming- what you feed will grow.” Last, but not least, I want to thank my Granddad for leaving me with his legacy, “Keep your dreams alive!”
Check out more of his work:
Interview by www.domroot.world for www.iamrootco.com
Thank you for taking the time to read our feature on Kahari Young! We strive to be a platform that is dedicated to serving and rooting for emerging creative artists by way of media and events. Be sure to give him a follow on social media in order to keep up with his artistic journey. He's been extremely consistent and we are proud to collaborate with him.
If you or someone that you know deserves to be featured tap over to www.iamrootco.com/submissions and leave us some links and information. Again, we love connecting with up-and-coming artists and entrepreneurs.
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More about I Am Root®
I Am Root® LLC is a Lifestyle Brand specializing in events and productions for Local, Underground, and Emerging creative arts. The I Am Root® Collective is made up of 7 independent artists and a blog team whose mission is to inspire and be inspired.
We [typically] curate monthly and quarterly live music showcases, concerts, open mics, special release events, and various specialty shows across Arizona. We have curated over 150 events here in Phoenix Metro Area. We work with local, emerging, and underground artists, the Maricopa Community College School District, Arizona State University Organizations, Non-Profit organizations, and others to help push the culture and create a community for artists and art appreciators.
We are here to inspire and be inspired.
Peep our last feature with RAVINA
More about Dom Root
I am from Inglewood, California, currently working in Phoenix, Arizona as a Sound Engineer (Live, Recording, and Mixing). I am a Music Producer and Creative Artist looking to build a portfolio and live performance opportunities. I graduated from Arizona State University studying Creative Writing and Philosophy. I later studied audio production technologies at Mesa Community College, before taking on more freelance work.
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I Am Root®