Today we’d like to introduce you to Kai Scates.
Kai, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am from Lancaster, California. Born December 23, 1993.
I was teased and mocked for my size growing up a lot, sometimes, I got teased for being a black girl and got called ugly several times. One day this boy I had a class with called me a “Fat ugly black girl” that broke me down. I remember I came home to my mother crying my eyes out about the name calling. She looked me in my eyes calmly and told me to stop crying. I did just that, sobbing lightly. She told me “Kai, you are beautiful and strong.” She went on to say that I was being raised by a strong black woman who was raised by a strong black woman. She assured me I was beautiful, and I may not understand the power of the talk we had just had, but as I grew older, I would appreciate it. From that moment on, whenever someone called me out of my name, I assured them that my name was not that and it was Kai. Most importantly I knew I was beautiful, and every day I was myself, I knew I was nice and that people liked me.
Soon after, I found joy in dressing up every day. I always got compliments from my teachers on how my mother dressed me and did my hair with matching barrettes with my outfits. As I came into my own style, I began to stand out more. My classmates would always tell me they loved my clothes, asking me where I shopped. I loved getting new clothes, I loved dressing up and I loved showing off outfits I had put together.
I remember when I first discovered the website Tumblr. That platform allowed me to post about my style and talk about my inspired outfits to people who actually shared the same interest as me. I went from just posting pictures on my social media platforms to really building an audience with my followers and engaging them in my content.
When I went off to college and attended an HBCU (which was a life changing experience in its self), I noticed the strength in social media and how I could brand myself as a Social Media Influencer:
– My sophomore year in college, I created Urban Flow Magazine
– I highlighted other college students on my website.
– Conducted one-on-one interview.
– My junior year, I won the title as Miss National United Negro Fund (Miss UNCF).
– I represented 37 HBCUs (Historical Black Colleges and Universities).
– Fundraised 33,000 for scholarships.
– Traveled on behalf of the UNCF and my Institution.
– Appeared on BET for UNCF’s Evening of Stars.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I didn’t grow up privileged. I went to eight different high schools, due to moving around. When I went off to college, I did not have ANY financial support from home.
Anything in life worth having WILL NOT come easy, you’re going to have to work tirelessly for what you want. With that being said. My road has not been smooth, I have been overwhelmed with finances, family problems, unhealthy relationships, and my ultimate rock bottom was the passing of my Sweet Grandmother. Not imagine being hit my four different trucks at one time. That put me in a bad depression. I’m blessed to say I was able to rely on my faith and favor with my lord and savior Jesus Christ because my strength, tears and my supportive best friend(s) brought me through.
To other women out there, your dream not going to happen overnight, so just remember that you need to start somewhere and learn where you’re growing. If you have friends or a close family member make sure you can confide in them, so they know what’s going on in your life. It always helps to let someone know what’s causing your stress. Also, make sure that the people you confide in can also pour into you in a positive manner as well. Also, remember that not everyone is going to have your best interest, not everyone wants to see you succeed and more importantly, not everyone is going to see your vision and dream the way you do.
To all my beautiful plus size women out there. Remain body positive, continue to love your self first, and everything else you create will always manifest because it blossomed from love. So, plant your seeds accordingly. Never let your size stop you from being a model, an actress, a flight attendant, a reporter, basically anything you want to do. Know your size does not define you. YOU define EVERYTHING that makes you – YOU!
We’d love to hear more about Kai Michelle.
I am an influencer; I specialize in Media, Entertainment, and blogging.
I started with my Magazine Urban Flow Magazine.
Created Ms Styles/Kai Michelle Plus Size Fashion Blog.
Started my Youtube channel “ Kai Michelle TV” for red carpet correspondent work.
I have my own podcast “Loud Black Girls” with three other co-hosts.
Began working as a brand Ambassador for Plus Size Fashion Companies.
After college, I moved to Washington DC for an internship on Capitol Hill with the Congressional Black Caucus. I worked as a media intern in the Office of Sheila Jackson Lee. After completing my internship, I returned to East Texas and worked at KSLA News 12 as a Production assistant, I went from working part-time to working as a full-time assistant news specialist.
Although I loved working at a TV station, I wasn’t working towards to dream like I needed to. So, I decided to dedicate all my focus to becoming a self-made plus size blogger and entertainment reporter.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I feel the “biggest barriers” on me being a female in the entertainment industry is having “the look” meaning “perfect” that means you have to be skinny, beautiful, easy to work with, non opinionated, your hair has to look a certain way, you have to talk a certain way. Also, as a black woman, it still seems like we get short ended. We get judged so quickly.
And I can only be me, I’m not a Barbie doll, I am not manufactured. I am a human, a Black woman, with curves. I like. I have an opinion, especially on things I don’t agree with, I have tattoos, I have natural hair I like to wear sometimes and that does not lay flat. It grows out. (Do you know how stressful it is to be a black girl woman before a job interview wondering how to wear your hair so you won’t be judged).
Overall, I feel like my race and body size causes people to judge me in this industry before they get to know me. I say I’m up for the challenge, I love proving people wrong. When they meet me, I have an award-winning personality, I’m pleasant, my resume is beautiful, my network and connections are very broad.
Contact Info:
- Email: kaiscates@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/mskaimichelle
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MsStylees
- Twitter: Twitter.com/mskaimichelle
Image Credit:
Crown photo – Jarvis Edwards, Green dress – https://instagram.com/olliecruz_productions?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1om4qtw596k87, Black and white dress – https://instagram.com/jushighlyblac?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1s968b4f3ru62, Skyscraper view – @tanakadodds
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
