Q: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF? WHAT DO YOU DO, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE? ALL THAT GOOD STUFF…
A: My name is Mimo, and I am from the Bay Area, currently living in San Leandro, CA! I consider myself a passionate professional who has led numerous initiatives to ignite social change across diverse landscapes. With unwavering determination, I have worked on violence prevention and HIV research and advocated for the prevention of homelessness. At Google Play Partnerships, I collaborate with underrepresented game and app developers, helping nonprofits strive for recognition and support. As a co-founder of Coco Coalition, I champion the cause of empowerment and solidarity for women from the African Diaspora. I recently embarked on a daring entrepreneurial venture, seizing control of my mother's beloved Ethiopian coffee business and reimagining it as, "Mimo's Coffee"! My slogan, "From Africa to Silicon Valley, changing lives, one project at a time," My legacy as a force for positive change knows no bounds.
Q: TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU CREATE? WHAT HELPS TO GET YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING? DO YOU WORK OUT OF HABIT (SAME DAILY ROUTINE OR CREATE FROM THE SAME TABLE)? HOW DO YOU STAY CENTERED AROUND YOUR MISSION WHEN YOUR MISSION IS ALSO YOUR JOB?
A: I find that my creativity flows most freely when I set aside time for myself to rest and recharge without worrying about being of service to others. Given that my work and passion projects often involve systemic issues that can be quite challenging, it can be mentally and emotionally draining to constantly focus on them. Recently, I've started practicing martial arts to find physical and mental alignment and to have an outlet for stress and tension.
Q: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING A MOTHER, WIFE + BUSINESS OWNER AT THE SAME TIME?
A: I feel incredibly blessed and privileged to have the opportunity to be a wife and mother in this lifetime. However, I also recognize that it's the most challenging role I have ever played. I love how we are breaking barriers in the way we relate to each other and the way we parent. At the same time, I acknowledge that it's not easy to break the cycles of how we love each other as a family and how we choose to discipline our son. I am constantly checking myself to ensure I show up for my husband and son in the best possible way. This self-awareness can be both rewarding and challenging.
Q: IS THERE ANY DRIVING PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU HAVE THAT GETS YOU THROUGH THE DAY OR DURING CHALLENGING TIMES?
Q: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU FEEL VULNERABLE ABOUT AS A WOMAN OR INDIVIDUAL? IF SO, WOULD YOU MIND SHARING?
A: I feel vulnerable about so many things, especially because I'm a first-time mom. I'm constantly learning new things and trying to figure out what's best for my child. It's also been a challenge to learn to love my new body which has changed in so many ways to carry and care for my child. Now, I have to get to know it all over again and learn to love my bumps and widened hips!
Q: DON’T OVERTHINK THIS...IF WE ASKED YOU TO PLAY ONE SONG WHILE YOU WORK WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
A: Mariella by Khruangbin & Leon Bridges (anything by both of these artists to be honest ;) )
