Meet Unique Watkins | Educator & Youth Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Unique Watkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Unique, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Walks to the corner store with my baby sister. Sitting on the P.E court playing with my friends at Earlington Heights.
Going to choir rehearsal.
Riding the Metrorail to Sunset and running after 10 to avoid missing the last departing train.
Sunday school and 11 o’clock service then Sunday dinner at my great grandfather’s house with all 20 of my cousins.

I’m from the part of Miami where most tourists wouldn’t necessarily visit, unless they cross the bridge. I grew up in a green house about three blocks away from where Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, and Muhammad Ali met up after Ali won the heavyweight championship of the world in 1964 which is known as the Hampton House. My childhood was full of love and fun but very structured. I was raised in a home where my family valued education immensely. As I progressed through school, my family set the same expectations as my teachers; which were pretty high. It was drilled in my mind that homework was not an option and reading was to be done every day. I don’t think there was ever a time that I didn’t have a bookshelf full of books. As a child, my favorite book collection was Junie B. Jones. As a young adult I still enjoy reading. I’m drawn to authors like Sister Souljah, who wrote one of my favorite books, The Coldest Winter Ever, Eric Jerome Dickey and Nicholas Sparks.

My family has been pouring into me and speaking prosperity over my life since I was born. I remember the time my dad went down to the Miami Times (it was located on 54th and 9th Avenue back then) and told them he wanted his daughter featured in the newspaper. I had to be in pre-k or kindergarten. He said I was so intelligent and wanted the whole city to know. A week later, it came out and both sides of my family went crazy celebrating.

Not only was school a top priority, but so was church. On the weekends I didn’t sleep in or play all day. Like clockwork, I knew that I would be up early to go down to the church for usher and choir rehearsal. Then I’d stay for youth meetings. We’d discuss stories from the bible and learn how we could apply it to our daily lives. Respect, love, grace, patience, faith, persistence and dedication were some of the many things I was taught. The same things that I live by to this day. Aside from that usual routine, I also participated in annual oratorical competitions for three years. Our church was a part of a district, Florida East Coast Baptist Association, that consisted of hundreds of churches. Every year, churches would send representatives to participate in this friendly competition. After receiving the topic, we would do research and write our essay of 500 words. We then had to memorize every word and practice until we could recite it within 3-5 minutes. I came in first place on the district several times and progressed to the state level. Participating in oratorical competitions definitely contributed to my great public speaking skills and confidence.

I am blessed to be surrounded by family, church members, neighbors, and teachers who have and still shower me with love daily and continuously support everything I do. I honestly just want to give that same love and support to children growing up in my neighborhood, and those just like it around the world, who may not think there is anyone who believes in them. We all need someone. We can’t make it through life alone.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Aside from creating my brand, I am a proud first grade teacher. There’s no better feeling that having the opportunity to help mold, nurture and teach my six and seven year olds. Not only am I helping them become scholars who will go on to become effective leaders but also kind human beings who will be an asset to society. They are well aware that I have very high expectations of them. I try my best to model and instill the importance of being respectful, compassionate, independent and how to take initiative.

My ultimate goal in life is to be an advocate for adolescents, especially those that are faced with hardships daily. My dream profession is to be an influential individual in the school system, whether it be teacher, principal or superintendent. This generation, the next and so on deserves an adult who genuinely cares. One who possesses the will to guide them. I aspire to expose them to different things and instill the importance of education into their minds so that they may develop the skills and execute their capabilities o emerge as future leaders despite their status in society.

The truth is that our youth black children are a target. There are people in the world who are waiting for them to fail; already counting them out. And we are not accepting that. YOUUNIQUE will be a pillar in the community for students, parents, and families to lean on and trust. By any means necessary, it’s going to happen.

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Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
-Wynwood -Brickell
-South Beach
-Museum of Illusions Miami
– Lincoln Road
-Ride jet skis
-Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s literally too many people to name individually. I’ve been impacted by so many individuals over the course of my life. It just wouldn’t feel right giving names and leaving someone out. With that being said, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to ALL of my family, friends. church family, teachers, supporters, mentors and even strangers who spoke favor over my life. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without such a strong support system. And ultimately, thank you God for protecting me and giving me this vision. Sometimes I grow discouraged but He keeps me in my right mind.

Website: www.iamyouunique.com

Instagram: _youunique

Facebook: Youunique LLC

Image Credits
Corey Wheeler (photographer of personal photo of myself)