Muse of the Week: Imani Peterson
Growing up, Imani always identified as a “jane-of-all-trades” when it came to the arts. Whether it was singing, dancing, drawing or making clothes she dabbled in and did it all. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. Imani’s family was very passionate about the arts. With a mother who was a former dancer and pianist and grandmother who was a seamstress, their influence on her life helped peak many of her interests. They helped to cultivate these interests by enrolling her in everything available to them, they wanted her to be well rounded.
Imani’s musical development began at the early age of three as a member of the Marble Collegiate Children’s Choir. It was here that she discovered her passion for singing. Her love for it blossomed as she grew within her church, first being a part of their children’s choir, then youth choir then finally their adult gospel choir. At the age of 17, Imani was the youngest member to join Marble’s gospel choir. She got to experience many great things with this choir - one of which was going on tour to South Africa.
Imani was a part of many organizations ranging from, The Henry Street Settlement to The Harlem School of the Arts. One organization that played a very large part in her musical development was the Children's Aid Society. She joined their concert chorus when she was 13 years old, her choir director noticed her talent and immediately had her join a smaller, more advanced choir. Joining this choir opened up many doors for Imani. She has competed in several state wide choral competitions, performed in various concert halls throughout NYC, viewed her first opera and attended a world renowned arts camp, Interlochen, for three summers straight. They also prepared her for both her high school and college voice auditions.
Imani studied voice at Brooklyn High School of the Arts and later went on to pursue her Bachelors in Music Education at Brooklyn College. She looks to become a choir director at one of the programs that she was a part of so that someday she can grant other children the opportunities she experienced as a child.
Although music was the career she initially pursued Imani has recently discovered her niche in the makeup world. Imani was always fascinated with makeup. She enjoyed doing her own, but really enjoyed making people look and feel like a better version of themselves. So when the opportunity to work at Sephora presented itself, she was more than ready for the challenge. As an employee at Sephora, Imani started off as a seasonal cashier after securing a permanent position she worked her way to becoming a makeup artist. Her goal now is to become a Senior artist. This November marks her second year with the company.
Here is a glimpse of her talent here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1MX38eHuOTNeFlkUTFQMVhKZDA/view?usp=sharing
Imagine... walking into a Sephora, sitting down to get your make-up done for an event and meeting this spirit! Yes, that is what happened to me. The minute I met Imani her energy was full of beauty inside and out and on top of that she creates beauty on others. I was lucky the day I walked into Sephora to meet this creative womanpreneur. I didn't even know her full story when I asked her to be our Muse of the Week. I just knew she was a talented woman. I am so excited for you to get to know Imani too! Check out my BTS Q&A below. Thank you Imani for being our Muse of the Week and for being so dynamic! xo, Stacy
1. Are you a subway or car (via, uber, lyft) girl?
I’m a subway girl through and through. When I was a little girl my grandmother made it her business for me to know the subway lines like the back of my hand, she would say, “What would happen if you got lost, how would you get home?! What train would you take?!” She made me so good that if you put me on any train in the city I’ll always be able to find my way home.
2. Favorite spot to be creative?
To be honest I don’t really have a particular spot. Inspiration comes to me in different places from walking in the park by my house, to riding the train to work. It can hit me at any moment, but if I had to choose a favorite time I would say in the wee hours of the morning, that’s when my crafting bug kicks to life.
3. Causes you advocate for?
I’m an advocate for non-profit organizations that support children within the arts. I owe a lot of who I am today to the organizations I attended as a child. I feel it is important for today’s youth, those fortunate and less fortunate, to experience the bright and fulfilling world the arts has to offer.
4. Favorite quote?
"This too shall pass.” This quote has gotten me through so many rough times. It has kept me focused and maintained balance in my life. It serves as a reminder to endure the hard times because they do not last forever and cherish every moment of the good times because they, too are not lasting.
5. Tell us about the last moment you shared with someone?
My mother, next door neighbor and I recently did the walk to end Alzheimer’s in October in honor of my grandmother who passed away last year due to complications with the disease. As we were walking across the Brooklyn Bridge my neighbor was expressing how much she enjoyed walking, “Oh yes, I’m a walker I love to walk” It really resonated with me because this was something my grandmother often said, reminding everyone that her maiden name was “Walker” and that walking was one of her favorite pastimes. It made me feel as if she was walking with me in spirit. It really made my day.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/INTERVIEW: STACY IGEL
PHOTOGRAPHER: SPENCER KOHN
Imani is wearing our Boy Meets Girl Fuck Average Crop Sweatshirt in black.
Want her look? Shop below and get 10% off your order with code Imani10.