On the creation of Evelyn from the Internets and #CreatorsOfChange: Evelyn Ngugi
Meet Evelyn, our favorite sweet tea drinking YouTuber and storyteller on the internets.
Interview by #bossbabesATX committee member Cristina Flores
Tell us about how you began the creation of Evelyn from the Internets. Did you always know you wanted to be an entertainer?
Oh, I've been on YouTube since maybe 2008. I've always documented my stories. Cassette tapes, burning DVDs, Xanga blogs (gah!), and then social media/YouTube. It's just the natural evolution of something I would have done anyway. These days people create YouTube channels on purpose with an end goal in mind because it's more legitimate now. Back then it was this new technology - a way to share your videos without learning how to like, host video files on your own website. It was a place to reach out and hope you could find someone to relate to.
How do you go about the process of building content for your YouTube channel?
I'm a one-woman show not a production company, so my stories make it to YouTube after a series of things happen: I have a story to tell or message to get across, I film it (could be that same day or years later to be honest - I have ideas from years ago that I have yet to put online), do that over and over at varying levels of consistency, hahaha. "Building content" sounds like I have a strategy - el oh el, girl.
What are some ways you practice self-care and nurture your art?
I LOG OFF. Whew, child. I have made the decision that I'd rather sacrifice "internet success" and be sane than have to keep my finger on the pulse of pop culture and be miserable. People ask "did you hear about such and such" and I'm like "NOPE. NAH. NO IDEA." *sips sweet tea*
In your video #CreatorsofChange you say "It’s time to tell your African parents that black lives matter”. Tell us a little more about about that.
Gotta watch the two-part video for all that!
The goal of that project was to talk about my perspective as the child of Black immigrants and how I have the ability to stop prejudice in my own communities.
Will we get to see more of #CreatorsofChange?
It was a one year fellowship! My project is complete, but there are many more fellows with dope projects -- See More Here
@$&O&^%!!!! YOUR VIDEO WAS PLAYED BY BEYONCE ON TOUR? WHAT.WAS.THAT.LIKE?!
I still don't believe it was me. Did that really happen? It was like a beam of pure sunlight shining down and affirming my whole existence. Moisturized, hydrated, and my cup runneth over. I did a whole reaction video if anyone wants to relive the INTENSE FLOW OF EMOTIONS again.
What is something you want your viewers to take away from your videos?
Everyone has a story worth telling / stay silly :)
How can we support you?
Thank you for asking that!! Folks can watch my videos, share them with loved ones, and mention me for any speaking gigs or on-camera talent opportunities y'all think need a funny Black girl. I'm also tryna slide into any writers rooms and crack jokes for a living!
EVELYN WILL BE SCREENING A COMEDIC SHORT DURING FILM NIGHT OF BABESFEST AT THE AUSTIN SCHOOL OF FILM. CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS.