Welcome to another episode of Hustle and Hues where we sit down with Hazel Blachaz, better known as @blackhaz3 an illuminating force in both the social work and creative arts scenes. Coming from Ghana and making her mark in Maryland, Hazel holds a master's degree in international social work from Fordham University. Over the past decade, she has stood out as a distinctive creator, unapologetically integrating her commitment to social justice into every facet of her work. She's the innovative mind behind FISTS UP AFROS OUT (FUAO), a global platform merging art, fashion, and social work to unite communities. Hazel's work has earned the attention of international artists like Missy Elliot and A$AP Rocky, and featured in high-profile media outlets like Allure, The Cut Magazine, AfroPunk, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Forbes, BuzzFeed, and CBS Chicago.
In this episode, Hazel takes us on her transformative journey, from confronting prejudice in Corporate America, to finding her authentic self during a life-changing trip to Africa. She openly discusses the burnout she endured from a high-stress work environment, which eventually led her to pack up and move to Ghana. Hazel sheds light on how this experience was a significant turning point in her life, helping her to recenter and realign with her values. She also shares her unique approach to personal growth and introduces us to the concept of 'parenting herself,' a self-support and self-care practice she discovered on her personal journey. Hazel's story serves as a beacon of inspiration, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, and resilience, and emphasizing the need for listeners to prioritize mental health and carve their own unique paths.
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
00:00 - Intro
00:04:51 - Embracing Who I Really Am
00:06:14 - I Had Enough Of My Job
00:08:16 - I Was Burnt Out
00:12:41 - Growth In Ghana
00:16:20 - The Birth Of Fists Up Afros Out
00:20:41 - Impact Of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd on FUAO
00:22:55 - Attending a PWI
00:30:47 - Corporate America
00:34:46 - Contracting Work As An Entrepreneur
00:38:41 - Moving To Chicago
00:42:17 - My Journey As An Entrepreneur
00:43:56 - Therapy
00:58:36 - Advice For Entrepreneurs
01:16:34 - Impact Of Family Relationships
📸 Hazel on IG: Instagram
🔗CONNECT WITH US:
📸Hustle and Hues Instagram
🧕🏽Afnan Instagram
💌 Subscribe to our email list here
LET’S CHAT:
📥Have a guest recommendation? Submit here
📝Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Submit it here
Welcome to another episode of Hustle and Hues where we sit down with Hazel Blachaz, better known as @blackhaz3 an illuminating force in both the social work and creative arts scenes. Coming from Ghana and making her mark in Maryland, Hazel holds a master's degree in international social work from Fordham University. Over the past decade, she has stood out as a distinctive creator, unapologetically integrating her commitment to social justice into every facet of her work. She's the innovative mind behind FISTS UP AFROS OUT (FUAO), a global platform merging art, fashion, and social work to unite communities. Hazel's work has earned the attention of international artists like Missy Elliot and A$AP Rocky, and featured in high-profile media outlets like Allure, The Cut Magazine, AfroPunk, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Forbes, BuzzFeed, and CBS Chicago.
In this episode, Hazel takes us on her transformative journey, from confronting prejudice in Corporate America, to finding her authentic self during a life-changing trip to Africa. She openly discusses the burnout she endured from a high-stress work environment, which eventually led her to pack up and move to Ghana. Hazel sheds light on how this experience was a significant turning point in her life, helping her to recenter and realign with her values. She also shares her unique approach to personal growth and introduces us to the concept of 'parenting herself,' a self-support and self-care practice she discovered on her personal journey. Hazel's story serves as a beacon of inspiration, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, and resilience, and emphasizing the need for listeners to prioritize mental health and carve their own unique paths.
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
00:00 - Intro
00:04:51 - Embracing Who I Really Am
00:06:14 - I Had Enough Of My Job
00:08:16 - I Was Burnt Out
00:12:41 - Growth In Ghana
00:16:20 - The Birth Of Fists Up Afros Out
00:20:41 - Impact Of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd on FUAO
00:22:55 - Attending a PWI
00:30:47 - Corporate America
00:34:46 - Contracting Work As An Entrepreneur
00:38:41 - Moving To Chicago
00:42:17 - My Journey As An Entrepreneur
00:43:56 - Therapy
00:58:36 - Advice For Entrepreneurs
01:16:34 - Impact Of Family Relationships
📸 Hazel on IG: Instagram
🔗CONNECT WITH US:
📸Hustle and Hues Instagram
🧕🏽Afnan Instagram
💌 Subscribe to our email list here
LET’S CHAT:
📥Have a guest recommendation? Submit here
📝Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Submit it here