Let’s get one thing out of the way: My name is pronounced bah-zay. Close friends call me “B.”
While I am best experienced IRL, I’ll digitally tell you that I’m a Brooklyn-based writer, content strategist and creator. Think of me like a 3-way Venn diagram, sitting at the intersection of beauty, sports and cultural commentary.
No matter the format, my focus lies on stories about people and ideas that challenge the status quo. I believe the more shine we give to visionaries who don’t fit neatly into a box, the more we can inspire future trailblazers, changemakers or [insert your favorite buzzword here].
I’d be lying if I said I had any f&*cking clue what the future of media holds, but I possess an objective curiosity that’s shaped by the massive shifts I’ve witnessed as the industry has transitioned from 600-page September issues to 60-second video shorts.
How I got here:
After a four-year stint as a beauty editor for Glamour (and a few TV appearances later), I traded in my Condé Nast ID card for the #gigeconomylife.
As a freelancer, I’ve written about:
The Nigerian-American chef who survived a tough upbringing and now has the #1 restaurant in New York City. (Vogue)
Black women in the Army who no longer have to suffer to meet outdated hair regulations. (Allure)
Brands I’ve danced with: Ami Colé, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove, Burt’s Bees, Laura Geller, Prose, NARS and Maybelline among others.
Why I’m on this path:
As the granddaughter of a Congolese woman who never learned to read, I’ll always consider it an honor and a privilege to do the work I do. While growing up in the suburbs of Oregon and Arizona (where I didn’t fit in at all), I learned that it’s possible to find common ground with almost anyone. I still think connection feels a lot better than conflict.
I pursued a career in beauty partly because it’s something all women relate to. It can be a mood-lifter and an instant ice-breaker. I also wanted to assert my presence in an industry that for years excluded those who look like me. Hooray for progress!
Lately, I’m finding a similar satisfaction in sports. I love that it brings people together. Plus there’s always a villain, a hero, heartbreak and victory–everything that makes a compelling story. And good stories give me life.
Maybe my next one will be for or about you. Email baze@bazempinja.com to get the convo started.
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If you’d like to get in touch about writing, consulting or speaking opportunities, please contact me.