Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Bravo.
Hi Toni, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Long Beach, California with my fraternal twin sister and baby sister. I grew up around an abundance of creativity, love, and passion that molded me into the person I am today. Growing up in such a diverse area of Long Beach, I learned so much about the different cultures around me while also learning much more about myself. Growing up, I was always into creating… When I was nine, I was gifted my first ever video camera. Shortly after, I began shooting short challenge videos and vlogs with my sister and spent hours editing them on Windows Movie Maker. I would then upload these videos to Kidzbop, which at the time was sort of like a kid’s version of YouTube. I did this for a while and it became something I truly enjoyed doing. Fast forward to today, I am still just as passionate, if not more, about storytelling and content creation. I am now pursuing Film & Media Studies at the University of California, Irvine and also double majoring in International Studies.
When I started going to university, it was a very different experience for me as Orange County did not have the amount of diversity that I was so used to growing up (shocker!). Regardless, I have always been able to immerse myself in spaces that cultivate and celebrate diversity, creativity, radical love & understanding. I owe so much of that to my amazing roommates freshman year, who have now become some of my closest friends, who always made me feel seen and understood as a Black person in a school where there were not always many of us present.
I attribute much of who I am today to my amazing, supportive family. I have the best support system around me that has always encouraged me to strive to be and do my best in whatever I choose.
Today, I find myself exploring many avenues of creativity that I have always been drawn to. The pandemic has made me, along with many others I am sure, sit and truly take a second to take everything in, sort of like a pause. This temporary shut-down has allowed me to understand myself and my passions in ways I had not before when I was constantly on the go.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being a young adult right now is…so weird, to say the least. We are living in an age where we essentially are the pioneer generation when it comes to communicative technology, navigating social media, and all that comes with that. Also, being a Black woman has challenges in and of itself. Learning to radically and unapologetically love myself and the skin I am in has been a journey that has been anything but easy. However, I am so proud of where I am at today and so proud the person I am becoming.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would say most people know me either from my roller skating content or my online social media presence. I have so many passions and dreams that it is quite difficult to pin myself down to one thing (of course, I am a Sagittarius). I would like to describe whatever I do as authentically me. Whether I am working on a campaign or creating content of my own, my authenticity always applies. I would say, work-wise, I am so proud of my Calvin Klein ‘One Future’ campaign. That project was the first major production I ever worked on and it was truly an unforgettable experience. I was able to not only tell my story, but I have two of my closest friends by my side, which made it all the more magical.
What sets me apart from others is exactly what sets everyone apart from one another, our lived experiences. What I am able to bring to the table is unique because it is a reflection of my experiences, values, and passions. How I apply each of those to my work or my lifestyle is exactly what makes it uniquely my own. I would like to think that the way that I make others feel, and the energy I bring into a room, set me apart.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I would say the most important lesson I have learned along the way is to not allow yourself to be consumed by comparison. It is far too easy to find yourself comparing your situation to those you see on the internet. Sometimes this can happen unconsciously and can slowly seep into your consciousness creating feelings of self-doubt and unworthiness. I am beyond thankful to have always had such a supportive family around me, however, we are all susceptible to the ugliness of comparison. It is so important to make everyday conscious decisions to uplift yourself, acknowledge your accomplishments, and understand all the good you have to offer the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gr00vyquads/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bonitravo?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftMOGMNbUBwwtOIQy-O9WQ
Image Credits:
Photo 1: Aidan Aguirre Photo 2: VICE Photo 3: Texas Isaiah Photo 4& 5: Aidan Aguirre
