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

Hi Malachi, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk-taking is something I will always live by. If you’re not taking a risk, where is the joy in your success going to come from? Playing it safe never gets you to the gold. One of the biggest risks I took was leaving the city I grew up in and my family I love to move across the country. It was a risk most told me I would fail at but I never gave up. Which in the outcome became the best decision I could have ever made for my career. You must believe in your capabilities beyond what others may or may not see for you. Believe in YOU!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been reaching out to my community since the age of 9 through verbal platforms. Empowering confidence in our America with my literature. Uplifting self-esteem, confidence & success in young women and men through the love of art. Poetry is an expression, and I am only an expression, not keeping things bottled inside is the healthiest of all. I truly believe success is not how much money you’ve earned but how much impact you have left on this world. My goal is to always push for equality in all races, sizes, and genders through artistic expression.

It was not an easy road for me to get where I am today but I am always about moving forward. Be consistent in your chase to destiny. Know you may be on the ground today but you can stand taller tomorrow.

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?
I always have visitors from Detroit come pretty frequently to visit me here in LA. I always start with taking them to brunch at City Kitchen in North Hollywood. Then we would take a stroll at the Santa Monica Pier. Later we would check out some food trucks at Grub Fest in Granada Hills. Listen to some amazing poetry at Da Poetry Lounge in Downtown LA. Hike at Wilson Canyon in Sylmar CA. Finish the trip with fine dining at the Odessey in Granada Hills Looking over the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife is one of my biggest supporters, if it weren’t for her I would still be trying to find myself. Sometimes you need someone to show you life is nothing more than a space YOU control. There should never be a point where life is controlling you. My wife is one of the most free-spirited people I know, I have found myself in such a low state and she showed me how to believe in myself. Explore who I truly am, Which led me to Buddism and other spiritual practices—bringing me solitude. I am now at so much peace and able to conquer the world daily, I am so blessed to have her as my shoutout.

Instagram: Malachi Maisha

Youtube: Malachi Maisha

Image Credits
Pictures credits Loud & Queer, Secret Spot LA, Detroit Cafe, Poetry Nation, Lutheran University

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.