Conversations with Maya Harris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Harris.

Hi Maya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Had extremely hardworking and loving parents who pushed me to always give and do my best. I was a competitive dancer from age 3- 18, traveling all over the world to compete. This highly disciplined and creative endeavor during my most formative years is the foundation of who I am today.

I got into UCLA to study world arts and cultures but was not done dancing. I auditioned to be on the UCLA Dance Team as a high school senior, the spring before my freshman year, and I made the team. Pushing me to travel 3 x a week from the Bay to LA for practice while still finishing up my senior year of high school and my competitive dance team up north. I mention these details because it was extremely difficult to juggle two different worlds at such a young age, but because of the way I was raised, I never gave up. After graduating from UCLA, I took a job at a startup doing marketing analytics because I was unable to tell my truth. For the first time in my life, I was anxious, fearful, and hiding from who I really was and what I really wanted to be. I knew I was finally done dancing but had this thirst to use storytelling to inspire others.

I took a huge leap of faith and quit my job (that I only took to impress others and follow the status quo) and decided to follow the truth. I immersed myself in acting and writing classes since I had not studied the two at all. I forced myself to get comfortable in the uncomfortable because I knew I was finally starting to live in alignment again. This was the most difficult season of my life, starting from the beginning of something you know very little about. So much adversity and tumult thrown my way, but I pressed on. Through all of this, I was able to start a women in sports podcast, co-write a half-hour workplace comedy, host a women of color forum, start a stadium compliant bag line, and book a few television roles. I am so thankful for the adversity that came after college because it really has shaped my life for the better.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has most definitely has not been a smooth road. But roads worth taking usually are not. I struggled with doubting myself to jump into the entertainment world, as many people often tell you, “you can’t succeed in that business, everyone is trying to do that.” I struggled with insecurities of people finding out that I hadn’t been acting or writing for that long, I struggled with not getting immediate success, and I struggled just all around with the total life change. I had to humble myself and do the unsexy work to achieve my goals. Serving tables with a degree from UCLA, many people laughed at me, looked down at me, and frankly we’re just extremely judgmental. I knew that I needed the flexibility and to provide for myself, so I sucked it up and pushed forward. This season right after college was challenging, but it opened my eyes to so many things. You never know how strong you are until you push yourself beyond your expected capacity.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a storyteller. In all shapes in form. I specialize in writing for film and television with a focus on comedy. I also audition and work on different films and television shows. I had a sports podcast where I co-hosted with another female and we talked all things sports weekly. I am currently pitching a workplace comedy, a plant-based and carnivore cooking show, and a women of color forum where several women of all backgrounds sit down at a table and openly discuss the adversity and challenges of being who we are in today’s world. I am proud of my ability to follow through with all things that feel authentic. I am proud that I followed my creative juices even when it was difficult to do so. I am most proud of my continued resilience because this industry is never easy! What sets me apart is my perspective. I think everyone on this planet has purpose, and I am constantly trying to make sure everyone I come in contact with knows that. I am steadily pushing people to follow their truth because if everyone was using their gift in this life, the world would be a much better place.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
To enjoy the NOW! To enjoy life even when you’re not where you want to be. You have to choose joy now in the beginning because the stakes only get higher when more success comes. Let your passion help you find your purpose and use your gift every day, even at a small scale. To give to the world more than you take. We are all here for a far greater purpose than to just punch a clock and cash a check. I wish someone told me to just trust that hard work and patience pays off. That really is it.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: mayaaleke