Meet Micah Dawanyi | Author, Artist, & Speaker

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

Hi Micah, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I find “giving up” to be such a strong term. I think in a lot of cases, it’s more about determining whether you should continue on the same path or pivot. For me personally, I try to pray through uncertainty and look to God for understanding, but there are certain signs. If you have a talent or an interest burning a fire in the deepest pits of your soul, something that genuinely excites you, gives you joy, and introduces you to an entire world of wonder, then that thing is worth pursuing. You should look at the big picture. If the ends will justify the means, however difficult the means are, then you have to keep going. Oftentimes, the difference between those who reach new heights of success and those who don’t is just that some people decide to continue, despite the rollercoaster of emotions and setbacks on their journey. Seeing your vision all the way through can make all the difference.

I would also say that pivoting can apply to how you attack your passion. Yes, there are some instances when you should put an end to an idea or vision. If you fall out of love with a passion, for example. But in other instances, perhaps you don’t need to give up, you just need to approach your passion from another angle. If you’re a content creator for example, perhaps you need to create a new visual identity or a new tone for your content. If you’re a writer (like me), perhaps you need to try a new genre.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
To date I’ve published two books, the first being a non-fiction titled “Step Into My Shoes: Memoirs From the Other Side of America.” The second, a novel, is titled “Battle Scars & Blossoms: A Journey Through the Mind.” I do all the designs for my books myself, and usually, during the drafting stages, I find myself sketching illustrations to help gather my ideas. I use my stories to talk about important issues, most recently racial injustice and the importance of eradicating mental health stigmas. I think that’s what sets me apart. Surprisingly, I didn’t get into storytelling solely for the love of the art form. I started with the intention to speak on important issues, and writing was just the most natural medium for me to do so. As a consumer, I love good stories, even ones that are simple and aren’t necessarily attached to complex social issues. But my work is always about saying something and speaking about issues that aren’t brought up often enough. My goal is always to educate, enlighten, and empower.

I’d say I got to where I am today through resilience. Before beginning my professional writing journey, I was a student-athlete. I was forced into an early retirement at 15 due to life-threatening heart complications. Now, I’m not one of those people who says, “Yeah, I was on my way to becoming the best athlete in history,” but it was still heartbreaking to see my dreams come to a sudden conclusion. But I didn’t give up on life. I decided to become curious about the world, and I pursued several entrepreneurial efforts that eventually led to professional writing and public speaking.
To date, I am still constantly working on overcoming my internal struggles, but resiliency is key. I’ve learned the importance of allowing myself to go through every emotion that arises on my journey while still moving forward. I think that’s critical for success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Okay so for the sake of this scenario, we’re going to assume that budget is irrelevant. Let’s say I had a friend traveling down here on a Sunday. Right off the plane, we’re going to Publix. I’d have to let them try a Publix sub, or maybe some chicken, Hawaiian rolls, and raspberry lemonade (if you know, you know.) Overall, I’d try to be flexible though. I’ve found that it’s better to have a general list of activities or places to go, but not be so rigid with scheduling. I’d want to include a Miami Heat game at the Kaseya Center, a visit to the Frost Science Planetarium, and a trip to Sawgrass Mall or Midtown for some shopping. I’d probably take them to see a movie at the AutoNation Imax theater too, and I’d fit in a trip to Miami Beach somewhere in the week.
For food, there are almost too many options. I’d include Havana 1957, World Famous, Tavolino Della Notte, and maybe Shake Shack. For dessert, Coldstone is always a good pick, but Midnight Cookies is another underrated spot down here.

I think my friend would get to see a lot of what South Florida has to offer through my selections.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to dedicate a shoutout to God first. Writing is one of the many artistic mediums that relies on imagination and inspiration, two things for which there is no exact formula. I feel like my imagination and inspiration are God-given abilities.

I also want to give a shoutout to my parents. To have parents that believe in me and my dreams means the world. It’s certainly not a given. I know everyone can’t say the same, unfortunately. That’s probably why I appreciate my parents even more. They’re both hard-working immigrants who have put a lot on the line to secure my future. I wouldn’t be in this position, telling stories and speaking to the masses, without them.

Website: Linktree.com/micahdawanyi

Instagram: Instagram.com/micahdawanyi

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-dawanyi-912ab41b1

Image Credits
OnoMedia