Meet Sumaya Aka Maya Joan | Media Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sumaya Aka Maya Joan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sumaya, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my own business was driven by both necessity and passion. I knew that working independently was the best way to align my work with my lifestyle—allowing me to honor my focus style, adapt to life’s ebb and flow, and most importantly, put my family first. My biggest goal is raising my daughters to know they can create their own happiness in limitless abundance, while also understanding the commitment it takes to make that happen. I love that their memories of ‘mom working a lot’ will be synonymous with ‘mom saw magic in everything.’

Beyond that, I wanted ownership over how I serve people. Creative production isn’t just about deliverables—it’s about honoring the vision, advocating for stories, and making people feel seen. Working for myself gives me the freedom to be intentional about who I work with, how I create, and what impact I leave behind. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the only one that made sense.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is about honoring the journey—finding beauty in both struggle and light. What sets me apart is my ability to see magic in the details and connect with the roots of where it comes from.

So much of my work is done as a service provider so its harder to show my voice when I’m honoring theirs. However, I do believe that if you look close, what sets me apart is the softness and comfort I bring to my subject in our sessions. the way I’m able to be a mirror to their unique beauty and help them show up authentically on camera without there guard.

As for my art, I’m excited to revisit ideas I once had to pause on, giving them the time and space they deserve. It hasn’t been easy to measure up against my own internal standards and expected pace, but I’ve learned that progress comes in baby steps, with grace along the way.

At the end of the day, I’m just a girl deep in play — on purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
ooo! Okay coffee first, naturally. Blue bottle, which you can find all over — but let’s say the one in the Arts District specifically! So you can explore the gallery spaces and food, like Hauser & Wirth, and eat at Manuela. Now that you are all inspired and relaxed, let’s get busy by booking some studio time literally anywhere, so many cute options! Even just do some walking on the street in … truly I want to suggest more but if my friend came to town we would just be listening to our body and our mood and going from there. Look up the vibe you are craving, and picking the closest 4-5 star option on the map. There is great food, great art, great music, everywhere. I know we would explore food all over Highland Park, family activities at kids space museum, try to make a Sunday service at ONE, and do our best to hit up all the museums and galleries we could reach – and maybe some public napping at cozy parks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh yes, absolutely! I don’t what life would look like with out my people. Patty, Aleah, Aliyah, Marlynn, Noah, and Jose— each of them has stood in the gap at one point or — twentyseven , who’s counting? Whether through support, encouragement, prayer, or simply showing up for me in ways that mattered, they’ve all contributed to where I am today. Their belief in me, even in moments when I doubted myself, has made all the difference.

Truly, all glory to God. Leaning into that faith has given me literally everything I need, again and again.

Website: https://mayajoanmedia.com/

Instagram: @iam.mayajoan

Linkedin: Sumaya Skeeters

Image Credits
Aleah Clark, Aly Honoré, Chaince Ball