We recently had the chance to connect with Serayah SIlver and have shared our conversation below.
Serayah , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
One of my favorite things to say to people is “rushing is against my religion”. It reminds me as well as the listener to move, not only at the speed of trust but ability and desire. It allows everyone involved to take a moment to pause and respond rather than react to whatever deadline, catalyst or stimuli we find before us. So to answer your question, yes, every single day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Serayah Silver and I am Durham’s Dramaturg. I am an Artist; Writer, Reader, Thinker, Dramaturg, Editor, consultant and workshop facilitator. Though that may seem like a lot of hats, in reality, it’s one hat with many feathers, buckles and bows. Essentially, I help writers take works of art from ideas to print, production, sale and beyond.
A writer may plug me in at anytime in the process, depending on what they need, whether it be copy or developmental editing, consultation on a project, or even just an unbiased set of eyes, hands and thoughts.
I work with virtually any kind of text from essay to screenplay and everywhere in between. My joy and my job is to bridge the gap between where your story is currently and where you want it to be.
Currently, I’m working on a pair of essays exploring Black Horror as the next logical progression of Black Thought, and Vampires as possibility models for Black Aliveness.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
What a question. Thanks for asking. The part of me that needs to be released is the one who got comfortable with less because they thought nothing else would ever be within their reach. I didn’t know it at the time, but I grew up quite “poor”. My mother made it so I always had everything I needed, even when she didn’t. As an adult, I realize how much of my worldview was shaped by the idea that you didn’t need every comfort to be happy.
While I appreciate this way of doing and seeing things, there are parts of it that keep me from reaching because I didn’t know it was possible. As I broaden my horizons, as I straighten my back and neck, allowing my vision to reach further and farther, I have to let go of limiting beliefs of the world. Even as I thank them for getting me here, for gifting me with peace and calm in what might otherwise be chaotic situations, I have to let lack and limits fall away in order to go where I’m meant to be.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
People like you, Little Buddy. Even if they don’t like you, they see you. Your energy is absolutely palpable and all your efforts to shrink yourself are only making you feel small while your impact remains large in the room.
Oh, also, magic is real, so do with that what you will.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
Black Women. Black Women are the most educated demographic in America. Not only that, but they “be knowing”. Black Women have a knowing that is bones old, a blood knowledge that comes from spirit led lived experience. Listen to Black Women, yes, but don’t put more labor on them to explain truths to you. Give them the benefit of trust, not without curiosity, or question, but without dismissal.
Every thought, concern, or idea I’ve ever had has been elevated by being in conversation with a Black Woman. AND if you’re gonna get them involved, make sure you move with respect and reciprocity.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell the story of how I bent reality in my image. I hope they tell the story of how I chose myself in ways that allowed me to choose others from a place of overflow rather than need or lack.
I hope people tell the story of how I build worlds and became a model of possibility for those who would come after me.
I hope people look at my life as proof of magic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://serayahsilver.com
- Instagram: king_katalyst_
