Today we’d like to introduce you to Zharia’Elizabeth McGlothin.
Hi Zharia’Elizabeth, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a 20-year-old content creator, model, author, and college student studying fashion merchandising at The School of Fashion at Kent State University with a minor in public relations. I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.
From a young age, I’ve always had a passion for videography. I started my first YouTube channel at eight years old. I did videos talking about my favorite monster high dolls. (The channel is still live on YouTube to this day). I began taking YouTube seriously at the age of 12. I did everything from DIY videos, fashion lookbooks, night routines, what’s on my iPhone videos, and so much more! My first video that received a ton of recognition was called “My Summer Morning Routine”. This video at the time reached over 500,00 views. My following went up from there as I began to create a community that showcased confidence and helped other young black girls be comfortable in the skin they’re in while instilling women empowerment.
In 2018, the YouTube channel that I created that received over 24,000 subscribers was removed from YouTube and til this day, I have no idea as to why. Every video that I put my heart and soul into was stripped away without a prior notice. I had to start completely over again. This left me devastated as I had worked so hard to get to where I was on my YouTube journey. To have everything you worked so hard for stripped away from you completely is a feeling that is so unexplainable.
I realized at that moment I had two options; I could give up, quit YouTube and leave behind the supporters I had gained over the years. Or two I could start over and not let a situation set to Destroy me make me lose sight of why I started content creating in the first place. Youtube became my safe place. I never quite felt like I fit in with the vast majority growing up nor did I feel heard or seen by others. I was always “the girl that did YouTube” because back then, people didn’t quite understand it nor were many taking it seriously. Youtube became my video diary. It was my safe place to be unapologetically myself. It was a place for me to inspire others and show them their dreams can be accomplished with hard work and dedication. It was where I could be heard and seen. It was where I could simply be me.
Fast forward, I have grown my following on other platforms such as TikTok where I am nearing 24,000 followers. I created a book called “The 90 Day N*gga Cleanse” where I documented my self-love/healing journey while giving advice to those doing the same. Creating this book was the most vulnerable thing I did but I felt that it was a calling of mine and imperative that I share my story to help others. I’ve created a book that has touched many and motivated others to start their own self-love journey. I’m signed to my first modeling agency where I’m able to continue my passion for being behind the camera. Most of all, I am continuing to serve God’s purpose of helping and inspiring others to be their best selves!
Alright, 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?
This road has been all but smooth sailing. One of the biggest obstacles that I struggled with was finding that motivation again after getting my first channel completely stripped away from me. I fell victim to creative blocks, especially since coming to college. Being a full-time student and a full-time content creator is hard work and I feel that people think it’s an easy job because of the benefits that are showcased but behind the scenes, there is so much more that goes into this. The lack of consistency, the hardships of finding balance, the feeling of not being “good enough”, the moments of comparison to others. The list goes on. I’ve found the best way to deal with these struggles is to remember why I started in the first place. To keep that love and passion I found to get here. My younger brother said this to me one day as I was expressing to him how hard it is to keep the consistency with content creating when I have my hands in so many other baskets, “sometimes you have to do it unmotivated” these words have stuck with my ever since and was the wake-up call I needed.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am most known from YouTube where I started making natural hair videos. It was my way of connecting with the black community and showing others how I style my hair. I Now create this type of content on my TikTok but occasionally I’ll get comments from people that remember me from my first channel and it’s always a nice feeling to be recognized.
I’d say that I am most proud of my ability to help and motivate others through a screen. I mean when you really think about it these viewers have never seen me in person nor truly have a reason to support me but they do because of the aura I project and positivity that I stand for. Receiving messages from young girls telling me I am their inspiration or that I helped them feel more confident rocking their natural hair is the best feeling in the world. That’s all I have ever wanted to accomplish with becoming a content creator.
What sets me apart from others is my desire to be different. I was the girl in middle school that wore tutus over jeans, 3D glasses with the lenses popped out, the girl in high school that dressed up every day because it indeed was a fashion show to me. It was what set me apart and made me who I am. I strive to be like no one but myself and in a world that’s full of duplicates I’m proud that I stand on just being me. Whether people understand it or not as long as what I am doing makes sense to me I’m happy.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is growth and prosperity. I’m not perfect nor do I aim to be. I strive to walk in God’s purpose. I look at every day as an opportunity for me to be better than I was the day before. I don’t want to be the same person I was a year ago because that would leave me stagnant. Growth showcases strength and resilience which are two prominent factors to being a well-rounded individual.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zhariaelizabeth.gumroad.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zharia_elizabeth/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC89k0wSfG2aE0ieUlbi-b_A
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@zhariaelizabeth?lang=en
Image Credits
Photographer: Kollin Battle
