No matter how many times I’m asked to talk about myself, it’s always the most gruelling question to answer. Nevertheless, here I go! 

My name is Mandy Mayela and I am a graphic designer and part-time content creator based in Toronto. After getting my BDes in Graphic Design from OCAD University, I had no clue what was next for me! Although I’ve gained so much knowledge and experience from design apprenticeships and internships, something in me wanted to explore different avenues of self-expression. 

During the pandemic, what really caught my attention while aimlessly scrolling on Instagram were women from Toronto who started posting their pictures on the app and started creating their own communities and building a following. I thought “why not me?” But one thing that held me back was how overly saturated the social media world was with white women and the embarrassing absence of WOC in these spaces, especially in Toronto. In fact, black creators and influencers get fewer followers and little payment or credit, despite how much online culture takes from them. Despite the inequalities and my own fears, I started posting in 2021. Since then, I have partnered and built relationships with many brands and other creators in the city, I have built up my confidence in ways that the shy girl I once knew couldn’t have imagined! It’s also given me a greater purpose to inspire young black creators that they can achieve anything they put their minds to as well as the importance of amplifying marginalized communities on social media. 

While the content creator world is still growing, my only advice for aspiring creators is that there is never a “time” to start, if you wanna do it, then do it! The only thing standing between you and your potential is yourself.