Meet Sabrina Abdalla | Multidisciplinary Creative & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sabrina Abdalla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sabrina, what are you inspired by?
My family, my ancestors, my country, my community. The sweet stories and experiences we share inspire me. Dreams inspire me because they make us imagine what could be possible. Sometimes dreams are a reflection of our deepest desires or passions. If we can harness the boundlessness of dreams, then maybe we can realize our own. They can serve as a tool to help us radically imagine new ways of existing and exploring our creative potential. I believe that our creative production sometimes is a revelation or something we are trying to convey that has a significant meaning. In dreams, those meanings take new forms and become abstract or completely different. I think that is beautiful and can serve as a rich source of inspiration.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a multidisciplinary creative and founder of a creative wellness platform, called Cirri. Cirri, derived from the Chimini language defined as a secret, embodies rebirth, reclamation, and revelation. It encourages us to reclaim our stories and imagine safer, future ecosystems where we can tend to the deepest parts of ourselves through creative exploration. My trajectory has always been unconventional. I have a background in science and education, but I have always been a creative. I had a creative and crafty upbringing. I started writing poetry at a young age, inspired by Tupac, haha! I would paint and collage with my older cousin and be playful with my art. Founding Cirri was like a love letter to my younger, artistic self. I want to share that creativity is an integral part of our journey and healing processes. The way that I overcome challenges is by reminding myself of the purpose and intent behind Cirri. I am proud of the community and the workshops. I am excited about what’s to come. I want the world to know that our creative exploration requires us to have a level of self-awareness that can be difficult or inspiring to grapple with but can reveal what exists within our subconscious or at the core of our being. So I encourage everyone to be creative.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting me, I would take her to all of my favorite places in NYC. We would start the day with coffee either at Marcy & Myrtle or Brown Butter. Then we’d walk up and down Thompkins Ave introducing her to all of my favorite stores and corner store family. Then we’d go to Zaca cafe on Marcus Garvey and have a legendary brunch. After that, I’ll probably take her to the city and shop on Broadway or take her to the vintage shops scattered across LES and end our day with dinner at Veranda in Soho. The next day we would visit the Shed or the Brooklyn Museum, but only after we get lunch from Evelina’s. We’d do a little sightseeing and touristy festivities around the Hudson Yards and Highline, just to say we did it. Then link some friends and maybe go uptown to have dinner at Massawa and come back down and hang out at La Sultana. Overall my favorite things to do is literally walk around, explore new restaurants, lounge, and do the bare minimum. There are always exhibitions to see and popups, it just all depends on the season and vibe. Ultimately, the best things to check out in NYC are the museums, galleries, exhibitions, popups, coffee shops, concept stores, people watching from the outdoor seatings at restaurants, and experiencing the diverse cultures.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to all of my sisters/friends and the beautiful sisterhood I’ve cultivated. They are truly at the core of my strength and resilience. Shoutout to all of Cirris supporters and those that meaningfully engage. Shoutout to my amazing coach Akua Nyame-Mensah, for seeing the light in me and pushing me to overcome my challenges. It truly takes a village to sustain a business and an idea, so shoutout to everyone who has ever wished me godspeed.

Website: www.thecirri.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/_sabrinaabdalla

Twitter: www.twitter.com/_sabrinaabdalla

Image Credits
Daniela Spector Kierra Johnson