Meet Kyrah Arthur of KYZEN Social in DTLA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyrah Arthur.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kyrah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m born and raised in a very small historic slave town named Lawnside, NJ — my roots mean everything to me. I’ve watched the sacrifices that my mom, dad and grand-mom have made for me to be where I am today and I truly understand the depth of the sacrifices my great-grandparents and ancestors have made for me to have access. I carry their struggles with great pride.

My mom worked tirelessly for me to go to school in what she deemed to be a good education system so that I would have access to a world outside of Lawnside. Going to predominantly white school systems my entire life ignited something in me that I had no idea would carry me through life. I saw that my white classmates lived a completely different life than that of my own and felt at my very young age that my family and friends were worthy of having access just like my classmates — we’re smart, talented, and capable too, right? I also felt the lack of relatability and the outsider treatment because of the color of my skin at my core. As a Black woman, this experience comes with me everywhere I go.

Everything about my upbringing was based on survival and I recognized the disparities between my Black experience and the world at a young impressionable age. I began to explore on the internet with MySpace, AIM and Tumblr and I was so fascinated in the freeing feeling that can exist on these online platforms. I was completely swept away by the world of YouTube in 2007 and to this day, it still astounds me. I recognized the space Black creators were occupying, yet at that time I had no idea of the possible impact and opportunities — in hindsight, I don’t think anyone did. I made my first video on my YouTube channel (Kyrah Arthur) in 2016 I believe, after putting it off for years.

Fast forward to undergrad, a friend of mine suggested I look into USC Annenberg’s graduate programs and I thought she was insane. Literally. I found the M.S. in Digital Social Media program and was sold instantly. Being the risk-taker that I am, I poured my heart and my soul into my application that I had no real qualifications for on paper because I knew that I was more than capable of excelling in it and all I needed them to do was bet on me — I already bet on myself. A rule of thumb that I live by: I’ll roll the dice on myself every single time – playing it safe ain’t never been for me.

I created my Digital Strategy company, KYZEN Social during my first year of graduate school with the goal to help hustlers launch impactful businesses. I watched everyone in my lineage and my upbringing makes a way out of no way time and time again with all the odds stacked against them — I also recognize the power of the internet and social media marketing in particular, and it’s my mission to put Black entrepreneurs on to the financial freedom via digital spaces cause we ain’t gotta struggle forever! I promise! KYZEN encompasses all forms of Digital Marketing from small businesses to influencer marketing and everything in between and aims to uplift Black culture always.

I’ve always been a person that never fit in in the “professional world” because I won’t compromise my values and my true self for the satisfaction of white corporations. Not now, not ever. I want even more Black people to capitalize on their divine power in every sense of the word in whatever way that looks like for you. We are the blueprint.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been far from smooth, but the journey has been magical. I believe that everything we experience happens for a reason and that God places obstacles in our lives to prepare us for our mission.

As I mentioned, being from Lawnside, everything we know is survival. I watched so many people make choices on survival and not enough on what actually makes us happy. I watched my mother deal with traumatic experiences amongst trials and tribulations and I also witnessed the lack of resources in our community in her time of need. Her story is all too familiar for so many.

I never really felt like success was optional — it had to occur no matter what because there was no other choice. Sink or swim. I was so fixated on surviving every day and getting out and never coming back that I didn’t care what hurdles I had to face because I was going to clear every one of them.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about KYZEN Social – what should we know?
My company, KYZEN Social was created to help hustlers create impactful businesses. The goal is to put more Black people in the position to receive wealth and break generational curses by means of digital strategy. KYZEN is still in the newborn phase but we have lots of things cooking up! Creative direction is my spidey sense.

The biggest thing for me is showing people that your specialty and your talent isn’t something that you need to go and perfect — it’s already inside of you. It’s your story. Building genuine relationships with consumers online comes from them being able to resonate with you and your values, KYZEN will simply show you how to amplify your story and bring your business to life.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Dedication, hard work plus patience. Word to Nip.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kyzensocial.com
• Email: kyrah@kyzensocial.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kyzensocial; www.instagram.com/kyrah.a

Image Credit:
Darryl Shaw

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