Missy D

April's global theme is 'movement' and we can't think of a more suitable (and exciting) speaker than non other than Missy D.

If you don't know, now you know - Missy D. This femcee has been rapping since she was 11 years old in French and English coming from the 3 corners of the motherland (Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe). Missy D is a bilingual Hip Hop, Rap & Soul Artist who makes music like a form of therapy, to express feelings, share a message and connect with music lovers. You will hear the sounds of MC Solaar, Diams, Erykah Badu, India Arie, J.Cole, Missy Elliott and Lauryn Hill echoing through her voice. Rest assured Missy D will have you grooving, singing along or feeling that je ne sais quoi in French and English. Whether you call her Dee, Didi, Diane, Missy D, you will get to meet an artist, an educator, an experiential advisor, a community builder, an interviewer, a daughter, a sister or a friend ready to create and connect with you.

As usual, we asked Missy D a handful of probing questions to give us a deeper glimpse into her life and relationship with creativity:

How do you define creativity and apply it in your life and career?

Creativity belongs, builds, gathers, moves, feels, sparks, holds, shapeshifts, connects into various mediums, practices, ways of knowing, problem solving or simply existing. I have found that in my career, it appears most often in the form of music, community building and ideation. It's often allowed me to tap into a different part of my brain, emote that communal feeling or resonate it back from me to you, problem solve out of the box or color out of the lines. It's allowed me to set boundaries and go beyond the barriers that are in front of me. I feel like myself when I'm creative, I feel like an evolving version constantly becoming, empowering, educating, creating whenever I am an artist, an educator, an experiential advisor, a daughter, a sister, a friend or simply put human.

Where do you find your best creative inspiration or energy?

I find it in people, in community and our world. You know that saying that you hear often: "It takes a village", well you are going to hear it again and again in my story. That's my constant inspiration and energy, from jam sessions to 1-1 conversations or festival performances, there is always magic that is created in those spaces in between and especially with people willing to allow room for echoes. You get to share, reflect, inspire with others.

What’s one piece of creative advice or a tip you wish you’d known as a young person?

Whenever that imposter syndrome kicks in, remember that you belong, you are enough and you matter! Your creativity is second to none, because YOU are the only YOU.

Who (living or dead) would you most enjoy hearing speak at Creative Mornings?

Cicely Blain, Kari Marken :-) , Lauryn Hill, Natalie Gerum...(the list is too long)

If you had fifteen extra minutes each day, what would you do with them?

Check in with my friends, family and loved ones. It often feels like time moves fast and you forget the importance of that call, text or email. The pandemic was a strong reminder to connect and this question reminded me once again to take those 15 minutes and create them!

What keeps you awake at night?

I'm an overthinker, so quite often I'm reflecting, reflecting and reflecting about my day or thinking about the future/past. These days I ask myself, what is love? How do I show love to myself, my friends and others? What does it feel like, sound like? What is the action: to love? How do I show love in my art and creativity? I've created often with hope and pain in mind and heart, and hoping to add love to that equation.

What fact about you would surprise people?

That I have a Bachelor in Science; Combined Major in Science in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences and Statistics. Remembering that creativity also shows up in Science...