Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone Russell.
Simone, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a 8th grade American History teacher, youth mentor and event curator. I do curation for both The KGN, a collective that aims to execute cutting edge nightlife experiences for the global Caribbean Diaspora living in South Florida as well as The Gem Collective, a series of culturally intentional and meaningful experiences that connect and empower the female creative community (whom we call #Gems) of Miami and abroad. My main goal is to try and lead a purposeful life. I enjoy being social, imparting knowledge, empowering others and making connections. I somehow fell into teaching 7 years ago and event curation 4 years ago, both from pursuing my passions and the rest is history!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Having immigrated from Kingston, Jamaica to South Florida as a young girl greatly influenced the way I process the world around me. I don’t take America and what it has to offer for granted. It’s a strange existence to be a first generation immigrant in America, existing somewhere in a no-mans-land. “Too foreign for America and too American for home”. My family lived fluidly between both worlds. We spent a lot of time in Jamaica even after the move. Growing up, I chipped in financially often and I got my first job junior year in high school and I’ve been working ever since. I appreciate taking on the responsibility of finances and work at a relatively young age, it has taught me the discipline and focus I use today to juggle all I do now.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The KGN & The Gem Collective – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I do event curation with two collectives; firstly for The KGN; alongside graphic designer Jason Panton and Adam Alexander DJ extraordinaire. The KGN is a collective that produces nightlife experiences for the global Caribbean Diaspora living in South Florida. I also work with The Gem Collective; assisting its creator Lauren Alyssa. The Gem Collective is more female empowerment geared, centered around providing creative women a series of culturally intentional and meaningful experiences. The KGN is best known for our Afro beat, Reggae, and Soca music party called “The Shrine”, it’s nonstop dancing, such a good time! The Gem Collective has a dinner party/networking series called “A Seat At The Table” that is also really successful in addition to smaller events like vision board parties and panel discussions that promote wellness and community. Both collectives execute events excellently, with really dope aesthetics and spearing no detail, I really think that’s what sets us apart. I’m blessed to work with people who all have the same vision as I do. I am truly passionate about empowering my fellow woman and connecting the Caribbean and African diaspora so honestly, I am over proud of the safe spaces we have created for people to enjoy themselves and be themselves. I love to observe people’s faces during our events. It makes me happy to see them happy.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future aren’t clearly defined but, I am sure that as long as I follow my internal compass, I will be fine! I believe everything I am currently working on, which I feel great about now, will manifest into more greatness in the future. I would love to make more room for mentoring and event curation and I feel that is approaching soon in my future cards.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thekgn.com/, http://www.thegemwithin.com/
- Email: simmi.kgn@gmail.com
- Instagram: @simmi.di.teacha ,@the.kgn, @thegemwithin
Image Credit:
Pop Photography, Darryl Omar, Soul Dreamin
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
