Greetings purpose peeps. I’m really excited to be kicking off a new blog series that will last over the next several weeks and I’ll be talking about one of my favorite things – people! I compiled a series of questions and had a Q&A session with women who I believe are living out their purpose. Follow along with me as we see how purpose and passion take on a different look and feel for everybody.

Today’s feature is on Makida Seward, a St. Louis native and fellow Mizzou alum! Makida just began her pursuit of a law degree at Howard University in D.C.

BGWP: What does it mean to you to be a black girl with purpose?

MS: I truly think it means that you take the time to understand who you are as a woman (girl) and then understanding how being black ties into that. I think race plays a big part of who we are but being a woman is phenomenal. Understanding what you love, what are you passionate about. Then going after that.

It’s intersectionality too. The concept that you are more than just black and you’re more than just a girl. How do you give that and be authentic?

BGWP: When did you feel like you realized your purpose?

MS: I think I’m still searching for my purpose. I have a great idea for what it could possibly be and I know it involve helping people. We are in dire need of help. When I look into our communities, so many of us are searching for something. I want to be a catalyst that says you don’t have to look outside of you. I want to help these girls understand that.

Also working with SistaKeeper STL – she really focuses on making sure these girls love themselves. We take away our own powers when we can’t say what we want. Anytime we give our power away, a different piece of us dies.

BGWP: How would you define purpose?

MS: My purpose is whatever fulfills me each day. I did all that God allowed me to do today. I find my purpose in giving back. It will have been to give all that I am in the pursuit of God’s will.

You can be blocking your own blessings because you want to do things in a specific way. Let God’s will be done. That’s how [you] know that all [your] steps are ordered. At a certain place at a certain time. It makes moving and maneuvering feel more like you’re walking in your purpose.

BGWP: What is the hardest part about walking in your purpose?

MS: Turning myself down. I know I can’t do everything that I want to do. Flesh me wants to go out and do everything. But the God in me says no, you know you can’t do that. You have to set an example. Teaching myself discipline and say “hey I can miss a thing or two.” Quieting myself so I can hear what He has for me.

It’s the best and it’s the most gratifying but it’s the hardest. We want things to go a certain way so we plan plan plan. Or we’ll be anxious about what’s coming up or we’ll live in the past – thinking “I wish I’d done that differently.”

Another hard part was learning that learn that no is a complete sentence. Not no maybe. Not no, but.

Just no.

BGWP: How do you feel your career path ties in with your purpose?

MS: So far, I’ve been fortunate enough to work in places where I’ve just been able to be me. I think that aligns with my purpose because I think I could have had a job in corporate America but that wouldn’t have been a job that I would have wanted. So I had the opportunity to work in places where I could be me. I haven’t had to pretend. I haven’t had to come into work and not be able to tell people how I feel. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a company that has been understanding of me going to school or needing an internship for school. Family and friends supportive. I was able to give myself as fully as I possibly could.

I was working as an International Counselor in St. Louis. Being able to guide them into the process of transitioning them into America. And also working with “at-risk” youth and then also working in the mental health realm. Not doing anything but listening to people. I was able to take my experiences from each place and share them with people who may not be able to understand. I was able to take the Chinese people and put them into the hood. Showing they are not interdependent.

I want to be able to do something where I can help people.

BGWP: What kind of law do you plan on practicing and how does it tie into your big picture?

MS: The go-to is Juvenile Advocacy. I’ll know more about that once I start classes. Working with communities in a preventative and intervention standpoint. My mother owns a non-for-profit in St. Louis. I could see myself working collaboratively with our youth. Disproportionate amount of our youth who are being locked up. Doing time for first time offenses. How do we get them into programs that can keep them from becoming a statistic?

It may be working with my mother. It may be creating a house or resource center they can go after school and maybe be a professor – that’s way way down the line.

 

BGP: What would you say to someone who doesn’t know where to start to find their purpose?

MS: I would tell them to really sit down and figure out what it is they like. So that when they figure out what they like and can find a job that matches up to that or when they are able to finish their education they’ll never have to work another day in their life. What would you do if you never got paid to do it again.

The work I do with the kids. I could do it every single day. I love what I do. So that’s the biggest thing I would say to anyone who needs to find their purpose. Day in, day out, give your all. That’s where you’re supposed to be. That’s when you’ll start to get directed. Always listen to people who have been where you have been and to yourself. Then do it! Take a leap of faith and don’t look back.

Want to stay connected with Makida? Be a doll and support her side hustle! Makida sells beautiful custom art and hosts paint nights in various cities across the US. Find out more by following her on Instagram @keeedsart and visiting her website – keeedsart.com.

Ready to discover your purpose? Download our FREE Purpose Pathway ebook today!