Meet Ashley Hoskins | Director, The Free Black Women’s Library HTX

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Hoskins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
I pride myself on being able to live authentically. I strive to align my actions with my core beliefs and values with the hope of discovering my true self. A life mantra of mine is that “Self-discovery is my soul’s compass.” Introspection is one of my greatest attributes. At a very young age, I realized that self-reflection was the key to my personal and professional growth. I recognize that I am not a perfect human and I use my flaws and life’s lessons to grow more into the woman God has destined me to be. Remaining true to my passions, beliefs, and purpose often puts me at odds with people I have known for a long time. This can be disheartening but I must honor the space that I am in and know that being authentic does not cultivate space for me to seek the approval of others. I am validated in knowing that I am following an internal compass and that is sufficient for my mental well-being.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
As I journey in this life, I take pieces of what I have experienced and what I love with me. Some things stick, and some things fall off along the way. There are two definitive aspects of my life that are constant throughout this journey: my love for literature and my insatiable knowledge of African culture. I love reading! It is reading that grants me access to explore the world around me. My profound love for reading exposes me to opportunities for spiritual, political, and cultural expansion. The knowledge that I gain from reading internalizes and shapes the emerging woman within me. I believe that anything that is not growing is dead and I know that in order to live a life of pleasure and happiness, I must continue to grow and learn. I recognized at an early age that I have a unique and spiritual approach to life. The challenge was being able to apply meaning to this approach and transcend how I showed up in the world. Astrology has played a major role in helping me to figure out my purpose in life. The aspect of my birth chart that speaks to what I will be known for in this lifetime is ruled by Aquarius. If you have ever encountered Aquarius energy, you know that it is out of this world and the most unique and innovative energy of the entire zodiac wheel. Knowing this, I honor the creativity within me that is unlike any other medium of art. The art of who I am and what I do is abstract. I live by a mantra that says, “Self-discovery is my soul’s compass.” Life’s experiences and applying meaning to those experiences have helped me show up in the world. I vow to live a life of service to others. It is my destiny to culturally enrich the lives of those who I encounter. My divine duty is to promote self-awareness, self-love, and self-accountability. Literature and cultural conversations are the vessels that I use to connect people and ideas. As a Black woman, I am spiritually bound to amplify the voices and creativity of other Black women as a tool for feminine transcendence.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a creature of habit. I find what I like and as long as it is consistent, I’m a loyal fan and supporter. Therefore, if you link up with me in Houston, this is what you will be doing:

For Breakfast, we are eating at Frank’s Grill on Telephone Rd. I’ve been a loyal patron of Frank’s since my high school days. Ms. Mary and Lupe were my regular servers and Juan had the grill sizzling with fried eggs and bacon. The smaller location, my preferred location, closer to 610 has burned down and I now go to the one just a block down the road. It’s not the same but still as good. Ms. Mary, Lupe, and Juan aren’t there and I often wonder where they are.

For Dinner, we are eating at The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation. This is hands down my favorite place in Houston to have fajitas and margaritas. Houston is known for its Tex-Mex, but nothing tops Ninfa’s for me. And yes, it has to be the one on Navigation.

Happy Hour is the best hour and you can find me at The Spot on Emancipation. This classic dive bar is a Houston hot spot for strong drinks, good music, great vibes, and celebrity sightings. It is so popular and laid back that you just may be casually sitting at the bar next to WNBA MVP, Cynthia Cooper or 2x Houston Rockets Champion, Vernon Maxwell.

One of the greatest things about Houston and our museum district is that general admission is free to all museums on Thursday. I love visiting MFAH and CAM (always free). Currently, at CAM, there is an amazing exhibit by Ghanaian artist, Amoako Boafo. Soul of Black Folks is inspired by the study of Black life behind the veil of race by the Pan-Africanist sociologist, W.E.B. Du Bois. It’s a powerful exhibit and is on view till October 2, 2022.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I grew up under the direction of Deloyd T. Parker Jr, Co-Founder and Executive Director of S.H.A.P.E. Community Center. S.H.A.P.E. is one of the most visible and involved centers in Houston’s African American community. Nestled in the center of Third Ward, S.H.A.P.E. is committed to improving the quality of life for people of African descent through programs and activities. As a young and emerging adolescent girl, I enjoyed my summer months as a student of their Summer Youth Enrichment Program. The enriching summers at S.H.A.P.E. were profound in creating space for me to identify as a child of African descendants. Our mornings at S.H.A.P.E began with all adults and children in the building forming a Circle of Interdependence. In this circle, we joined hands and recited the seven principles of Kwanzaa, their meanings, and African proverbs. We concluded with a pledge of interdependence; “I am because we are, we are therefore I am, there is no me without you, there is no you without me, we are all part of a family of interdependence. We were encouraged to learn about the land where my ancestors originated and the struggles and advancements of those throughout the African diaspora. Significant time was spent engaging in cultural and artistic practices native to Africa. Flags from every country in Africa adorned the walls of the center. We practiced recognizing the flags and naming their countries. Our activities included African dance lessons, braiding, weaving, learning Swahili, and playing Mancala. The most impactful experience at S.H.A.P.E was embarking on the Freedom Tour. In the spirit of the Freedom Riders of the 1960s, S.H.A.P.E. took us on a bus tour of the Jim Crow South. It was on the Freedom Tour where we traveled to Jackson, Mississippi, and visited the home of civil rights activist, Medgar Evers. Evers was assassinated in 1963 by Klansman in the driveway of his home while his wife and children were inside. I crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama in honor of Bloody Sunday where civil rights marchers were beaten during a televised march for voting rights. I stood on the balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee where Dr. Martin Luther King’s life was tragically taken. Experiencing the Freedom Tour was pivotal in laying the foundation for my commitment to doing community work. I wanted to ensure that my peers and future children were knowledgeable about the beautiful impact Africans across the diaspora have in shaping global culture. Ashley Hoskins, a woman who is committed to culturally enriching her community was born.

Website: www.thefreeblackwomenslibraryhtx.com

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Image Credits
Image credits go to Sarah Ontiveros