Today we’d like to introduce you to Idrissa Snider, PhD.
Hi Idrissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Writing is often described as cathartic, and I agree. It lets people express their emotions. But writers also play a vital role in documenting and preserving our histories; we represent our communities. When asked about my story and how I became a writer, I start with my purpose: I believe I am called to educate, advocate, and inspire others to achieve excellence. Growing up in an urban community, I faced significant challenges, including the loss of my mother at the start of high school. Like many from similar backgrounds, I learned early to take responsibility for my future. Coping with grief and witnessing violence and substance abuse, I found solace in painting and writing. Attending the Alabama School of Fine Arts for middle and high school allowed me to deepen my artistic interests and discover the transformative power of education.
During undergrad, I started my career in video production and contract roles. I later earned my bachelor’s degree in Film and Journalism. It wasn’t long before I noticed that media portrayals of women like me were often incomplete or inauthentic. This realization motivated me to pursue a doctoral degree in Rhetorical Criticism and African American Studies.
Whenever I can share knowledge, be creative, or stand up for those on the margins, I do. As a former professor and now a thought leader, I publish academic articles and editorials. I also design training courses for schools, universities, businesses, and non-profits on topics like education, history, communications, and African American studies. In 2024, I released my seminal work with Bloomsbury Publishing, Unmasking Authentic Female Identity: The Power of Shattering Stereotypes and Self-Defining. This anthology offers a fresh look at how Black women can challenge old stereotypes of being mislabeled as loud, angry, or hypersexual. By examining the lives of Michelle Obama, Viola Davis, and Beyoncé Knowles, I argue that no matter what we’ve achieved or accomplished, Black American women must self-define to thrive in spaces that try to limit their worth.
Along with my book, I write, lead trainings, and help businesses with messaging that builds strong community relationships. Everything I do connects back to my purpose, and I look forward to doing even more.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has never been straightforward, and while I felt frustrated by early obstacles, I now understand that these challenges have equipped me with vital skills and traits in both my personal and professional life. Experiencing the loss of a parent at a young age, along with other significant losses—our home, loved ones, and even our middle son as an infant—has shown me the immense power of perseverance. Nothing can deter you from becoming who you are meant to be if you continue moving forward. Hardships have not only strengthened my abilities as a researcher but also deepened my understanding of people as whole individuals. They’ve instilled in me both compassion and the firmness I bring to classrooms and training sessions. While excuses may be understandable, they ultimately don’t stop us from pursuing our dreams.
Reflecting on how challenges have molded me, I initially found myself impatient and yearning for swift change, especially when life felt unjust. Now that I’m in my 40s, I’ve come to realize that many of those struggles taught me the value of patience and the importance of letting things unfold in their own time. The most meaningful achievements in life require time to earn, comprehend, and appreciate. Achieving goals and reaching milestones matter, but the true growth occurs in the journey itself.
For example, during my doctoral program, I often felt overwhelmed, yet my refusal to give up revealed my capacity to achieve whatever I set my mind to. This resilience makes me consider pursuing a law degree, as I’ve faced challenges before and know without a doubt that I can conquer them again. Embracing these lessons not only empowers me but also reminds me that perseverance leads to lasting success.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a researcher, I focus on highlighting Black women in the social sciences in a positive, forward-thinking way. Too often, Black women are misunderstood and mislabeled in the media, politics, and public life. This leads to our girls being disciplined more harshly in schools, and Black women facing similar challenges as adults in their communities and workplaces. Many scholars before me have done important work documenting the experiences of Black women and showing how they are affected at the intersections of race, gender, and class. I want to follow in the footsteps of writers and researchers like Patricia Hill Collins, Toni Morrison, and Zora Neale Hurston. These and other writers have laid the groundwork for my work, encouraging our community and Black women to focus not just on the voices of those who oppress, but also on what we say about ourselves. I believe it is essential for Black women to study and value our own stories, and to use that power to change how we see ourselves and help future generations of young girls who will face similar challenges.
I’m most proud of the work I have produced as an academic and community member. Although I see myself as part of a long history of sheroes and heroes who have fought, sacrificed, and given their lives so I can contribute to society, I have a distinct Black female voice that I believe can impact the community and the world at large. As I stated earlier, I focus on Black women’s voices over the voice of oppression, and I infuse art into how Black women can curate their own positive self-identities and self-worth. But I also lead with a lens of faith. I am a wife, and we’re going into our 25th year of marriage this November. I am a mother of two incredible sons, a sister, and a daughter. I’m a real woman who gets frustrated sometimes. I also love fashion and hosting dinner parties, and I lean into my femininity in a way that some may not deem as progressive. Ultimately, my real life influences my research, and that’s what I am most proud of. I can’t be placed into any one particular box or typecast, and most women can’t. But many don’t feel confident or have the tools and language to live that out. I am authentically who I say I am, and that’s what reaches people when I teach, train, preach, pray, and connect with others.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
For me, faith is essential to all that I have done and will do. I’m supposed to be a statistic by the world’s standards. Nothing about what I am doing or who I am was written in the cards for me because of my zip code and social status. God had a plan for my life, and I trusted that it was better. That point is critical to my success, and it’s important for you to share. Sometimes life will deal you a hand that may seem unfavorable, but if you understand your purpose, you can push through. My parents weren’t perfect, and neither am I, but they gave me the key things that I rely on every day. They taught me to trust God and value knowledge, virtue, creativity, and individuality. I grew up in a home where expression was welcomed and appreciated. These characteristics are most important to my voice as a writer and speaker.
Pricing:
- If you would like to inquire about using me to facilitate a training, write, edit, or host an event, email me at idrissa.snider@gmail.com or at isartproductionsbham@gmail.com. For book inquiries, contact Jessie>Tepper@bloomsbury.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.IdrissaNSnider.com
- Instagram: IAmIdrissa https://www.instagram.com/iamidrissa?stkn=OGltaTNxZ3c2Mmo%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: Idrissa N. Snider https://www.facebook.com/share/19mZgEcKUT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: Idrissa N. Snider ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/idrissa-n-snider-phd-54620b118?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
