Today we’d like to introduce you to Myja Gary.
Hi Myja, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Driven by my passion for creative storytelling and strategy, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and my Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.
Full-time, I am a Corporate Communications Manager at Zoom. I am also the creator and host of Ask Myj The Podcast LLC, a podcast outlet that explores everything from lifestyle, relationships & dating, career, and pop culture as a millennial Black girl. I introduced the Shine Black Girl Shine segment on my podcast where I recognize influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and activists who are change agents and making an impact in their communities.
I’ve hosted events with major media companies such as BET and worked with several high-profile celebrities and influencers including Madame Vice President Kamala Harris, Anthony Hamilton, Pretty Vee, and RobiiiWorld to name a few. I hosted the Turn Up & Turn Out the Vote Virtual Bus Tour with Madame Vice President Kamala Harris, which helped educate HBCU students on the importance of voting. I am also a media correspondent for The DMV Daily, the #1 source for news in the DMV area, where I host the Working Women Wednesday series interviewing influential Black women entrepreneurs and philanthropists on their journey to becoming successful entrepreneurs.
In addition, I serve as Miss Black Virginia USA 2021. Through my platform, Bridging the Gap, I implement mentorship, career readiness and community-building programs to help create the next generation of women leaders. Most recently, I organized my Women I.N. (In the Network) event series where women leaders in tech, education, communications & marketing, and health & medical share insight on how to be successful and have a seat at the table in their perspective industries, and I serve as the moderator.
With ambitions to become an entertainment host and journalist, I use my voice and platform to inspire women to be strong, confident and fearless. I live by the motto, don’t be the first or the last to do it. Be the turning point- the point at which real change happens.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am a very optimistic person, however the road definitely has been tough. I’ve been able to get through a lot of struggles with the help of my strong support system and just always maintaining an optimistic outlook. I don’t look at failures as a negative thing, but more of a lesson and redirection. The biggest struggle thus far has been overcoming fear. I have so many ideas in my mind of things I want to do and accomplish and sometimes, I let fear get in the way of me executing those things. I think about whether or not I will fail, whether or not I will be successful, and whether or not things will work out. To combat this, I’ve started challenging myself to imagine if things go right and I am successful, rather than thinking about all the things that could go wrong, and this strategy typically helps me overcome that fear.
I also struggled a bit with time management, trying to balance having a full-time, side hustle, self-care, and a social life. The biggest lesson in this is just learning to prioritize. I learned quickly that you can’t do everything at once and you can’t be everywhere at once, so you have to prioritize your time and always make time for you. I also invested in an agenda and monthly calendar which has helped me tremendously!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a full time Corporate Communications Manager at Zoom, I serve as strategic communications advisor and expert to internal stakeholders and executive leaders through crafting and revising communications, building integrated communications strategies and plans, and providing valuable strategic advising.
When I’m not working at my full-time, I invest a lot of my energy in creating content for my podcast, Ask Myj The Podcast, releasing a new episode every Wednesday. I launched the podcast in January 2020 and podcasted for a year, ending the first season in January 2021. I started the podcast to share inspirational advice from my own personal experiences as a Black woman and discuss some of the trending topics in pop culture with a splash of humor and personality. I also wanted to share positive news about Black women who are making history and impact in their communities, and that’s how the “Shine Black Girl Shine” segment was established. I enjoy podcasting, hosting, and being a voice for Black women.
I am most proud of the way I am able to use my voice and inspire women through various platforms. My mission has always been to use my voice and my platform to inspire women to be courageous enough to go after their dreams. I believe that I’ve come a very long way and have been able to inspire many women, and for me, this is only the beginning.
I believe what truly sets me apart from others is my energy and uplifting spirit. I have a very optimistic outlook on life and I am able to share that optimism with whoever I come in contact with. I truly believe that if you can dream it, you can do it, you just have to have the courage. I am the “hype man” in my friend group because I am always encouraging, challenging, and cheering my friends on to do whatever it is that they want to do. I take pride in that because I love uplifting and inspiring other people, especially women. I want others to look at me, see my journey, and think, “If she can do it, so can I.”
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for those who are just starting out is to just do it! If you’re scared, do it anyway. I know what it’s like to allow fear to get in the way of your dreams and then you find yourself regretting some of your decisions. The best thing is to just do it. The beauty is that regardless if it works or it doesn’t, you still walk away with something. Whatever it is that you want to do, just do it. Also, sometimes it’s best to keep your ideas to yourself until you have executed. Outside influences can have a major impact on our decisions and you don’t want to give anyone the power to tear down your dream. God gave you, and only you, your dream for a reason.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: AskMyj.com
- Instagram: @Askmyj__
- Facebook: @AskMyj
- Twitter: @AskMyj__
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIb8uLbLj0ETLKBssj_XRSw
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/askmyjthepodcast
Image Credits:
Sabion Frazier
