#BlackHero Whoopi Goldberg

Multi-talented, funny, witty and outspoken. Whoopi has always been a portrait of honesty and has told it like it is. From being an actress, to voice actress, host, humanitarian, writer and producer she’s definitely one of my favorite #BlackHero’s.

“I used my imagination to make the grass whatever color I wanted it to be.”

What’s In A Name?

First of all happy new year everyone! What a year 2013 was and here’s to making 2014 even better. After returning from my celebration I looked myself in the mirror and the first thing that came to mind was my name. As I started to think about names in general of other people and places, I pondered, what’s in a name? How much does a name say about our identity about who we are?

My name is Domonique. Commonly, the second “o” is usually spelled with an “i” or it’s spelled like Dominic(k) etc. My parents, named me after the Hall of Fame Atlanta Hawks forward Dominique Wilkins. They decided to use two o’s because I was born in Japan and Domo was short for Domo Arigato, a gesture meant for the doctors whom took great care of me in my 6 month stay. Today, my name connects me Japan and Japanese cultures which I credit with making me a global citizen. Although the jokes of domino’s pizza, the constant misspelling and mispronouncing got very old at a young age, I love my name and wouldn’t change it for the world.

AmbassadorNique, my brand, my remix, my alter ego. The AmbassadorNique Productions brand revolves around the thought that everyone is a global citizen. We cannot and will not divide ourselves based on skin color, social-economic background, location, sexual orientation, body type or ability. First we are human beings. We are global ambassador’s and sky is not the limit. We strive to provide resources and opportunities to help connect our thoughts and dreams with reality. Without the proper resources our goals become impossible obstacles. We are all Ambassador’s.

My name is Domonique Meeks and I am a global Ambassador.

Domonique Meeks
AmbassadorNique Productions
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
www.AmbassadorNique.com

What is the biggest barrier you experience as a result of your cultural group identity (both professionally and personally)? (Written By AmbassadorNique)

Continuing with my interview here is another question I was asked to answer.

I believe the biggest barrier I’ve faced was the fear of being afraid of taking advantage of greater opportunities. Yes, there are many opportunities that I’ve either missed or did not have, but too often people of color are told we “can’t” do something or that we are not “supposed” be doing certain things that may require a higher skill level. Unfortunately these barriers to often come from people who look exactly like ourselves. Furthermore the minute one tries to achieve what has not been done or collaborate with someone outside their race they are labeled sell outs. Is it jealousy or are people just afraid to see others succeed?

Too often we place people of color in boxes based on their skin color and environment and limit their growth, putting a ceiling on what should be a stepping stone. I’ve personally stood on both sides of this oppression being the victim and oppressor. At the age of 25 I am trying to do everything that I can to educate my own ignorance as well as do everything I was told I would not be good at. I am working hard to understand the intentions and motives behind what I do not understand. I am working to change my eating habits, continuing my education and bringing myself and my race to new places with the confidence that I did not have when I was younger. Unfortunately the support still isn’t where it should be, but one must start with the man in the mirror and hope that those who still carry ignorance will change.