Meet Giulia Baldini | Journalist and Media Educator

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

Hi Giulia, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in Italy in a multicultural household, Italian-Afro-Brazilian. The languages and lifestyles I grew up with had a huge impact on the person I’m today. Even though my adult formative years (college and mid-20s) were mostly spent in between the United States and Italy, I always made sure to prioritize all the aspects of my identity – my place in the Africana Diaspora, my expat experience, and so much more – and have gotten comfortable with its dynamic nature. It’s beautiful, yet challenging to be some sort of third-kid-culture.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a freelance journalist and adjunct lecturer at Lehman College (CUNY). The scopes of interest I take pride in emphasizing through my research and writing are fashion and entrepreneurship, mainly related to the realities of the Africana Diaspora. It wasn’t easy to have my name pronounced in certain rooms or to be known within the industry, especially as a Black Italian woman abroad. A lot of opportunities were missed due to my status as an international student and the lack of resources that this portion of young professionals usually must deal with in this country, particularly right after graduation. However, these issues didn’t stop me to create a safe haven where I could connect with fellow fashion media professionals and creatives, at my own time and without xenophobic remarks during job interviews or networking events. Out of this mere necessity, Fashion On The Beat (FOTB) came to life. From a solo-project with the intention to showcase my portfolio to as many editors as possible, FOTB attracted hundreds of emergent media professionals with similar stories and backgrounds like mine: I realized I was onto something. One year later I elevated the goal of the platform and turned it into a collective safe media space, through which my team and I offer emergent media professionals the chance to build a name for themselves through our brand, along with both local and global (visa-free) opportunities to creatives. In addition to our editorial work, we collaborate with local coffee shops, community centers, and non-profits in the fashion industry, by activating affordable educational panels, creative workshops, and clothing swaps. Right now we’re operating within the NYC Metropolitan Area, but we’re open to expand to other areas around the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Jersey City, NJ. On average it takes 10-15 minutes to get to the other side of the river, where Manhattan (NYC) is located. I love hanging out in Jersey City, because it is calm and lively at the same time. I feel like Jersey City is a Gemini, New York City is a a Leo. If you’re looking for a wild and unforgettable experience, I’ll surely take you to some place in NYC – name the borough and I got you. I you’re craving for some outdoor activity, then Jersey City is the way-to-go. Let’s go eat home-made bagels at Wonder Bagels in Jersey Avenue, grab some coffee at Treehouse Coffee Shop, and ride the bike from Newport to the very end of Hoboken.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank myself for never giving up on my morals and for never settling in stale situations. To my partner and family: thank you for allowing me to explore the myriad of possibilities to achieve both personal and collective success. You make me fall in love with life itself.

Website: https://www.fashiononthebeat.com/fashion-on-the-beat

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashiononthebeat/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fashion-on-the-beat/?viewAsMember=true

Image Credits
No Applicable