Momma Aria Arai
- A lifelong natural mentor, from California to Finland.
- Championing equity and empowerment with and for people of color, all genders, and all bodies.
- A doer: making things happen and cheering you on to do the same.
- An advocate for all ages. My lived experiences led me to understand that experience is a terrible gift to waste!
- Old Folks Matter -initiative.
- Founder and CEO of two NGOs: Earth Angels of Finland ry and Say it Loud – Black American History Month in Finland ry.
What do you value in life / in the world?
I value friendships and my talent of connecting with people from all backgrounds and ages. On the world stage, I value those who admit that they contribute to the unfairness. Those in power who risk their status by saying that all the world’s problems have to do with greed and the people on top not paying their fair share. Jazmine Crockett, a United States politician is a new star on the horizon.
What does success mean to you?
Success has various meanings and depending on the context has different focuses. Personal success mean that I am seen and have positively affected someone to see things in a different way. When it comes to my interactions with young people, my events like ”Say it Loud” Black History Month allows me to exhibit achievements of black people. A volunteer came to me with tears in his eyes and stated that he never knew that black people had done so many great things. It gave him the hope of possibilities. Over the years many women have come to me and shared their thoughts about the achievements that they did due to the fact that I set an example with Miss XL, The OurVision Song Contest, and my equal rights activism.
What motivates you daily, in work or life?
Leaving a positive legacy to be proud of is what gets me out of bed everyday. I fi ght the good fi ght for everyone. I believe that a higher power fi lls me with ideas and what actions need to be taken to keep inequality at bay. People of color are on the receiving end of many negative things going on in the world. I can only say and do what I can in my small corner of the world. I’m also trying to bring attention to the plight of the aged. We have paid our dues and when we should be able to reap the benefi ts of our hard work, many of us have to live in poverty and ask for social help. This is unacceptable.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned through your work?
The most shocking realization is that immigrants from various countries are able to discriminate against people of color because they believe that propaganda that has been desiminated throughout the world, even though much of these ideas have been proven inaccurate. More shocking is how Black people believe this same propaganda. My work addresses these mindsets that promote discrimination and inequality.
The best book you’ve read recently?
Your favorite quote or saying?
”SoldOut” by Hope Nwose
”If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
The most surprising thing people learn about you when they get to know you better?
The most surprising thing is my age, they don’t seem to think that I am in my seventies and still as active as I am.
Which themes have been close to your heart lately?
Lately I have been interested in why people are so resistant to change when it comes to accepting those who have a nontraditional lifestyle, especially in the African community.
Why do you want to be a musementor?
I feel that I can reach a more diverse audience and fi nd out exactly how youth feel and what is important to them. They are more likely to express themselves when they feel that they are in a safe environment and speaking to someone with similar lived experiences.
Describe in three words what kind of musementor you would be?
Empathic
Compassionate
Advocate
