Last week I featured a recent fashion student graduate for fashion Friday, and this week I want to highlight a high school graduate that you may have come across on social media, Kyemah McEntyre. She went from a bullied teen to prom queen after designing her own prom dress.

When I tell you to leverage social media to your advantage, I'm telling you for a reason, it works! Here's a young girl who went from unknown to 'instafamous' by simply showcasing her talent for the world to see. Curious what opportunities it's brought her? 

Her fellow New Jersey native, singer turned actor, Naturi Naughton, commissioned Kyemah to design a dress for one of her red carpet events, giving Kyemah even more exposure. 

What Kyemah has accomplished can be duplicated, there's no need for her success to be an abnormally. Another online presence that Kymah's got right is having a website.  It's simple but communicates what people need to know, who she is, what she does, and how you can reach her. She has another more elaborate website (which unfortunately wasn't working for me) but I wanted to highlight the initial one to prove that you don't need anything fancy to get started. As long as people know how to get a hold you, and eventually PAY you. 

Although Kyemah has utilized a number of different forms of social media, you really only need to master one if you're not a fan of social media. Use it to your advantage. Who knows, perhaps you too could end up on stage with Tyra Banks.

A quote that Kyemah has on her website, and also had on her graduation cap is "Never leave your identity in the hands of society." The way that I interpret that is that you need to control the conversation. Own your truth and then speak it. Don't let others speak on your behalf unless they're simply reiterating what you've already said. So my challenge to you today is, get the conversation started on one of your platforms. If you don't have one, my challenge is that you open one :)  Comment below which social media platform you love to use or hate to use, and why. Using at least one effectively can do wonders for you and your brand.

Be blessed!