A multi-talented, artful entrepreneur, Philly-based and Yonkers-raised Eryn Amel’s high creativity levels immediately pop off of the page. At her root she’s a writer (with a published book of poetry under her belt) and a photographer, whose goal of adding richness and nuance to the world’s view of black women extends to all she does.
We first spotted Amel’s through her t-shirts, but her platforms includes a popping Instagram feed capturing her perspective on life as a young, first-time mother juggling all that comes with a creative life, a Shopify store and plans for a second book of poetry, which will make its debut at an event in Atlanta in April.
Check out our interview in which Amel reveals the source of her creativity, her process, how she stays organized and what she has planned next.
Snobette: You’ve got a lot going on creatively, where do you think that comes from?
Eryn Amel: “I think it was my upbringing. My mother pushed a lot for artistic expression. It was just an outlet she allowed us to divulge into. It started with photography when I was 12. I still like to create images and part of what I want to do is represent black woman in ways the world hasn’t shown them before.
Snobette: You’re a multi-tasking entrepreneur. What would you say are the jobs you are juggling?
Amel: “I label myself a mompreneur because motherhood comes first and rules everything I do. And part of that is a focus on creating things for the greater good of the next generation. So for the t-shirts, instead of dishonoring ourselves and going through the motions when it comes to street harassment, if we actively resist through creativity in fashion, that’s a way to take action to an additional level beyond talking and writing and attending marches.”
Snobette: How long have you been making t-shirts?
Amel: “My first t-shirts was about a year ago and it came about by accident. Everything has started by accident. I created a t-shirt I wanted to wear, and at the time I had a healthy following on Instagram where I would write about my daily woes of accommodating new life and in that space I found women to connect with. One day I posted about getting new tarot cards and how excited I was, and nobody cared about that at all, but they all wanted to know where I got my shirt.
Snobette: What was the first shirt?
Amel: “The first shirt was ‘Your health is your wealth,’ and it was in black with white typography.”
Snobette: Can you explain the “No Fuckboy Formed Against Me Shall Consume Thee” t-shirt? [Now available for pre-order on ErynAmelshopee.]
Amel: “It’s a play on words from the bible words. I didn’t want to create a karmic debt because the words we use and put out create an energy. But the ultimate message is that fuck boy behavior is not going to affect me. I remain unconsumed by it. I didn’t want to say they won’t prosper because everyone can grow.”
Snobette: Why “thee”?
Amel: “It’s more as though you are representing this mantra, as though it’s a billboard another person is reading for themselves. And it’s open to interpretation as all art should be. I like the idea that people can utilize my merchandise to branch off with their own ideas.”
Snobette: You’re also a writer.
Amel: “I published a book of poetry last February titled Woke, and I’m in the midst of publishing another one. No title yet.
Snobette: As far as growing up, what places or city or block do you claim as responsible for how you identity yourself?
Amel: “I would say I represent Yonkers. Aesthetically it wasn’t the most beautiful place, but we grew up near the water, and I was able to make a lot of beauty with the things I saw growing up. I’m African American and my mom had me at 17 so we grew up together. I had a friend in middle school who had a baby at 14 so all of that is part of why I clung to art. So definitely, wholeheartedly I would say Glenwood Avenue in Yonkers.
Snobette: What did that upbringing teach you that you still carry with you to this day?
Amel: “It was very rough and very unforgiving, but it gave me a sense of loyalty I still have to this day. And I would say also the strength of my heart. The Ruff Ryders came from Yonkers…
Snobettte: I didn’t realize that. I knew about Jadakiss…
Amel: “My mom went to school with with Earl Simmons. And Mary J. Blige is from Yonkers. It’s that sense of excitement and happiness to be further than where you were. Mary J. Blige really captures that.”
Snobette: Wait, what does your mom say DMX was like in school?
Amel: “That he hasn’t changed. Earl was very much the same then as now. One of the most amazing things is my mom said he was barking as a 12-year old.” [Insert much laughter here.]
Snobette: What music was playing in your house growing up?
Amel: “My goodness, everything from hip hop to Jadakiss, Jay-Z, jazz. My favorite genre is funk. We have a lot of musicians in my family so every kind of music.”
Snobette: As a creative person, how do you keep track of your ideas?
Amel: “I write a lot of to-do lists even if I don’t finish them, it allows me to see them. I have an awesome support system, people who swing through and help out. And I’ve been looking for an assistant. My creative work has been so fruitful, I’m at the point where I can hire someone.”
Snobette: You’re juggling a lot, what’s your method for staying organized?
Amel: “I use a planner. I’m a Virgo so I’m big on writing things down. I’m extremely detailed oriented. I’m big on planners and I have an accountability partner.”
Snobette: What’s an accountability partner?
Amel: “When my to-do list is done, I’ll take a picture of the list and send it to my partner. Now I have a picture and if I leave the house I have it with me and won’t forget something. We check in with each other on our lists. If you let people in who care about you, it helps keep you on track. It’s really helpful. I have an awesome group of friends. We don’t like excuses. We call each other on our bullshit. I wouldn’t get half the work down without them.”
Snobette: What aspect of your work do you most relish?
Amel: “I would love to travel and write. My Instagram functions for me like a blog. It’s a stream of consciousness. I promote writing as a form of activism. I believe it’s extremely therapeutic and it doesn’t have to be pretty and edited and watered down. So if I had the time, I would do that all day, write and think.”
Snobette: What gives you the most angst?
Amel: “It’s anxiety connected to the technical behind-the-scenes stuff like shipping, customer service, emails. There are people who adore my work, and I’m very empathetic and I want to spend so much time on everything, including email responses. Not being able to dedicate as much time to being thorough and answering every question creates anxiety for me. But it can be a time killer and I looked at how my accountability partner spends time and it made me look at what I’m doing that’s adding extra time.”
Snobette: You advocate for self care, what are one or two practices that really make a difference for you?
Amel: “Solitude is very important. At least once a week. I ran out of the house at 8:oo PM this past week and scheduled a deep tissue massage. And I masturbate. That puts you in the most private space and after you orgasm, it resets your endorphins. And if you do a lot of work that is very mental, it’s a good way to disconnect from that. And then you sleep great. You have to make self-care a priority or else it will slip to the bottom of the list and nobody will care but you.”
Snoette: On the same theme, people are being inundated with negativity online, especially as relates to the new president. How do you navigate through the noise?
Amel: “I put my phone on airplane mode. I’m not on the internet during the day. I don’t have notifications coming to my phone. I do get overloaded and I prioritize my peace. My time is only as valuable as I make it. By 10:30-10:45, I tell myself, you have to stop working. Because I know what time I started my day. It is so easy to burn out, I know first hand. I want to take care of myself so I can see longevity.”
Snobette: What do you have planned in the next few months?
Amel: “Right now my first book signing is in Atlanta at the end of April. My first book was compiled in 36 hours, and I did it when my son was six months old. And for this book, it felt way better to take my time to assemble it.”
Snobette: When does the book come out?
Amel: “Everything is at the event. Promo for it will begin on April 15th.”
Keep an eye on Amel’s activities on her Instagram account and her website, erynamel.com.
