Best known for her hit HBO series “Insecure,” Issa Rae has become a lighthouse for Black artists who want to tell their own stories. Starring in films like “The Hate U Give” and “Little,” the Emmy-nominated creative wears many hats. She’s also co-founded the production company Issa Rae Productions, which focuses on creating content by and for people of color.
However, Rae’s success wasn’t overnight. Her YouTube web series “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” catapulted her career, completely homemade and self-produced. She knew she had a story to tell and wasn’t going to wait until she had a major studio backing to tell it.
Her rise to success is an embodied reminder that dreams should be chased. As Black creatives struggle to see opportunities for themselves, Rae is a testament to what happens when you create them for yourself. If you find yourself in need of some motivation, here are some Issa Rae quotes to reinvigorate your spirit.
On Being Black
“I’m rooting for everybody black!”
One of Issa Rae’s most famous quotes is simple yet loud. Said on the 2017 Emmy’s red carpet, Rae has always been a champion of Black art. She’s always spoken about her qualms with the industry not centering Black stories. She does the work to generate visibility, while supporting other Black creatives who are. It’s never about competition and always about uplifting while making space for one another.
On Storytelling
“It’s a bit cliche, but you can’t go wrong by writing what you know. Even if you’re a horrible writer, your own knowledge and experience is unrivaled. Nobody knows what you know like you know what you know. The way you see things is pretty unique.”
It can be easy to be intimidated creatively. You can feel like there are incredible stories being told, ones you may not feel capable of writing. However, Rae has proven many times that writing honest stories about your experiences is the ticket to success. All her work has pieces of her journey in it, mirroring the humanity in everyone who consumes it. Don’t waste time trying to write someone else’s story. Be brave enough to tell your own.
On Authenticity
“For a long time, I defined myself by what I wasn’t. My life changed when I focused on what I was. What I was good at, what I liked most about myself and what made me stand out. Once I learned to like me more than others did, then I didn’t have to worry about being the funniest or the most popular or the prettiest. I was the best me and I only ever tried to be that.”
The root of all success is self-love. If you don’t believe in your ability to be successful, then no one else’s belief will matter. Rae’s confidence is palpable, but it’s one that she had to build brick by brick. Being the source of your worth means you won’t be trapped by begging the world to value you. You get to focus on being the best version of your true self and doing you.
On Obstacles
“I thrive on obstacles. If I’m told that it can’t be done, then I push harder.”
Issa Rae has welcomed the challenge that has accompanied building her empire, as a true Capricorn would. Meeting strife means you’re doing something against the grain, and that’s how all great things are born. Don’t let challenge intimidate you out of going harder.
On Perseverance
”Stop finding the ways that you can’t do something and find all the ways that you can and just go for it. I found that every time I asked for permission the answer tended to be no, so I had to make my own yeses.”
Not everyone is going to see your vision, and that’s okay. What matters most is that you believe in your vision enough to go for it anyway. Someone else’s “no” can be out of fear or a closed mind, but if your heart is invested in it, it’s always worth seeing through. Be the only validation you need and go after what your spirit is guiding you to.
On Being Broke
“There’s so much creativity in brokeness. Brokeness will have you making it work.”
Issa Rae’s web series is what ultimately set the foundation for her fame. Completely homemade and self-funded, money and resources are not what got Rae noticed. It was her ability to tell a compelling story despite not having a studio or production team. Don’t let lack of funds stop you from doing your work. Get creative and use your voice anyway.