Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Phillips.
Hi Annie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’m what most people would consider, “a Chicagoan ‘til Chicago end”. I was born there, raised there, discovered myself, and cemented myself firmly in Chicago culture. After graduating from a Chicago Public School, and then Northern Illinois University, I wasn’t really sure where I would land. My major was unconventional, French, and my passion at the time was not in the classroom. Summer 2017, I visited my best friend who had just moved to Dallas and a seed was planted. I saw so many Black people congregating harmoniously, in multiple spaces, and of all ages. It was nostalgic for me because it reminded me of how Chicago used to be. Seeing how comfortable he was definitely made me consider relocating, but it wasn’t until July 2019 that an opportunity would present itself. I was teaching in a Chicago Public School, trying to provide resources and tools that would combat a few of the systemic barriers my students faced and actively looking for something that could be more impactful in that realm, then I stumbled across Urban Teachers. Out of all the nonprofits and “equitable” organizations I saw, they were the only ones explicitly claiming to be “anti-racist”. It resonated with me because I was a part of an organization that talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk and being a Black woman, a self-aware woman, a disruptive woman, I wanted to see what would come out of thoughtful execution. I applied immediately, got an offer to be the Regional Recruiting Manager, packed my bags, and left. Readjusting was hard, because like I said, I’m a Chicagoan ‘til Chicago end. I missed my city, my community, my comfort, but I realized there was community to be built right here in Dallas as well. It took a while for me to see the opportunities here, but through intentional outreach I did: from volunteering to co-sponsoring events with local business, my reach began to grow.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would say “smooth” is relative. Being the youngest in my family, and the only one to uproot was not easy, but the support they provided from afar made a huge difference. Since living here I’ve made tremendous strides in my organization and in my personal endeavors. I’ve taken a second stab at entrepreneurship by launching my eyeshadow collection, StoryTellers Eye Art, started my first Airbnb, launched my site and food blog, and have worked closely with DISD and Uplift to bring them quality educators that reflect the students they’re teaching. My main struggle has been being comfortable with the silence: understanding that sometimes no motion is better than slow motion and that God truly speaks to us when we are still enough to listen. There’s an immense amount of pressure, on this generation especially, to hyper-produce, to always be busy, to limit yourself to your “output”. I have fallen victim to that, but I realized a few things: you cannot pour from an empty cup, just because you’re going fast doesn’t mean it’s in the right direction, and what’s for you always will be. My focus now is taking my passions seriously, and cultivating my skills with intention. The end goal isn’t always profit, sometimes it’s connection, or relief, or storytelling. I am taking each component of me, one by one, and giving it the grace and care it deserves. I may start another business venture, or take karate, or just read a new book every week for a month. Whatever feels right.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My professional and personal interests often intersect and for that, I am very grateful. I am able to work in an industry that acknowledges areas of growth and is actively working to reduce them. My org’s entire premise is making equitable education the rule, not the exception. As a product of public, underfunded schools, it’s a no-brainer for me. I work to recruit people who share the passion I do, and also to ensure that the way we’re approaching the work is reflective of the needs of the communities we serve. I do a lot of programming and events in my role that center race-related conversations, the history of systemic racism and silencing, and how education as a structure has played a huge role in growing equity gaps in this country. I am passionate about these topics because I’ve lived and studied them. My uncle was in the Black Panther party. My father made me study the constitution before I was ten. My mother is a storyteller. So, for me, the intersection is very clear. On the brighter side of it, I’ve always loved books, poetry, writing, and art. More specifically, those authored and created by Black people, because for so long our stories have been stolen and/or told by someone else. This love of creation and authentic autonomy has been around since high school. I used to do spoken word and open mics around the city, which carried over into undergrad where I served on the executive board for a performance org, and editor in chief of the Black Student Union magazine. Fast forward, I self-published a book. While I can’t tell when the new one is coming, or if, I know what literature means to me, what it reveals to me about myself. Last year, I allowed that passion to manifest in a less conventional way: eyeshadow. My company, StoryTellers Eye Art, is a collection of shadows that reflect the colors, themes, and power of books written by Black women that have made me see myself more clearly. Because eyes allow for the most creativity when doing makeup, because they are where our stories are held and told, it was important to me to make a connection between two things that rarely intersect: literature and makeup. I’m launching a new collection in the fall as I discover more female authors to obsess over LOL. In the meantime, I’m creating content for the other parts of me, like my food blog AnnieEats. It showcases up-and-coming people in the culinary world, as well as the importance that food has in our community. I’m continuing to strengthen my connection to the Dallas by curating more events for Black educators in DISD and Uplift, as well as relaunching my after-school program, Girl T.A.L.K Right now, I am most proud of the way I have committed to my truth, and not being confined to one box. What sets me apart from others is the fact that I have no desire to be like anyone else, just the most authentic version of me.
What are your plans for the future?
In the near future, I plan to partner with local bookstores and teachers to curate spaces for WOC in the education industry. Like I mentioned before, I’ll be releasing a new collection of palettes for the StoryTeller’s brand, and in the far far future, I intend to open up an event space so people with big ideas like me can have a space to bring them to life. I also really want to do more podcasts because the two I’ve done were super fun and I think I can provide a lot of insight on different topics: studying abroad, self-publishing, starting an Airbnb, working across multiple states, natural hair care, makeup, easy recipes, etc.! LOL A lot of life has been lived in twenty-seven years and I would love to share.
I am looking forward to all that will come my way if I allow it. The biggest change is removing limitations from my mind, no fear, no apprehension, no taking no for an answer. Just doing what feels true to me in the moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: anniethinks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniekin_/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/gLfTsd4QHPc
- Other: https://anniethinks.myshopify.com/
