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

Hi M., what role has risk played in your life or career?
As a creative that has a full-time job, I often think about risk vs. responsibility a lot. It’s important to me to give myself the freedom to be open and honest when I write and create content. However, I have a full-time job that is unrelated to my business so I have to walk a delicate line when sharing material. I take risks with the words I write and art I create, but I also feel like I have a responsibility to take those risks. I truly believe that writing with truth and transparency leads to transformation. I believe that creating art that is honest and real is a risk worth taking.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe that writing with truth and transparency leads to transformation. This mantra is the guiding principle behind everything I do. I am the author of 2 self-guided journals and a poetry book. These works encourage readers to explore who they are and love themselves. The Sun Looks Good on You (my first self-guided journal) was written during a time when I doubted the importance of knowing myself and sharing my unique story. I wrote my second journal, Love in this Skin as I discovered that the most important relationship in my life was the one I had with myself. Cotton and Cornrows is a collection of poems that explore themes of race, gender, faith, and family that lie inside all of us.”   “I thought who wants to read what I have to say and doubted anyone would even purchase my work. On this journey, I’ve learned that you never know what could happen if you don’t try. I also learned that the path to your purpose and passion will eventually be paved as you begin walking. I want people to see themselves in my work. I hope the words that I speak are a mirror in which they see their own reflection and that they are transformed for good by what they see.

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 love Houston! There are so many things to do and see and it is never a dull moment. Let’s start with food: For Brunch I would take them to the Breakfast Klub or Lucille’s for their weekend jazz brunch. For lunch or dinner I would make sure we visit the following restaurants: Izakya, Gyu-Kaku, Oporto Fooding House & Wine, and Andalucia for their weekend live entertainment. I love a great cocktail bar/happy hour. I would make sure we go to Boheme in Montrose and Secret Garden. I am a lover of art and culture. We would definitely visit Project Row Houses, African American Culture Museum, Art League Houston and Contemporary Arts Museum. I think that finding the spaces where local artists can share their work whether that be in a museum, art house, or mural is definitely a place worth visiting.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shoutout to J. O. Malone and all the organizers behind BLCK Market Houston. BLCK Market Houston is a bi-monthly event for black entrepreneurs and business owners to sell their merchandise to a diverse group of customers. This was the first vendor’s market I ever participated in and they have been so supportive to me and my business.. It has been a great platform for me to grow my brand and business community. I would also like to shoutout my family and friends that have been so supportive to me in all my ventures, ideas, and events. I don’t know where I would be without their support.

Website: https://millispeaks.com/
Instagram: @millispeaks

Image Credits
Morgan Mbadugha Brandy Hall Doug James Jr.