Klarke's Truth

Tell me about yourself.

My name is Klarke. I am a black woman from the great state of Texas—Houston. My side hustles include logos, content creation, graphic designing, professional iPhoneography—I do all my shoots from my iPhone 7+, using editing apps and makeup here and there. My passions include helping teenage girls reach their full potential and allowing people to be themselves. I love meeting new people and I am very friendly and outgoing. I’m impulsive. I can see a person in public and start chatting with them. When a car passes by, I’m the person that waves. I love music. I wanted to create a mixtape—I can sing, don't tell nobody. I always wanted to create a mixtape of Disney songs. I am the founder of Kween to Queen. Our mission is to build a new generation of teen girls who are committed to becoming their best selves, to live their best lives, and reign like they mean it! It was founded with my sister Chandler, after we saw a need for positive influences in the lives of young women in our community.

I come from a family of 7, and I’m a middle child. Even though I had siblings, I wasn't really really close with them. My relationship with my sister wasn't always clear. I had to be a role model for her. I realized that everything that I didn't have in a sibling, I had to be for myself, and I figured other women were going through that as well. Kween to Queen has hosted in-home sessions, expanded our mission, spoken at churches and schools, collaborated with companies, hosted a book drive, and we did a campaign called “Queens Have No Size” that went global. We just re-launched January 2018.

I struggled in 2017. I was scared. I felt inadequate and I felt like I wasn't good enough. When my sister went away to college I felt like I couldn't do Kween to Queen alone. I let that stop me from walking in my purpose, and eventually I had to wake up and tell myself you can’t believe everything you think about yourself. When you realize that your life is not about you . . . it humbled me. I always pray to God that my character is in alignment with my purpose. People do things for fame and accolades, not because they want to help people. I no longer let my thoughts hold me hostage. Just because you feel depressed doesn't mean you have to be. It’s okay to feel certain ways, but you can’t allow it to become your identity. I live my life trying to be about what I'm saying!

What are your beauty struggles?

Growing up, I never thought I was ugly. I never had poor body image or low self-esteem, but I did get mean comments from family. I have had them tell me, “If you lose 30 pounds you'll fit better in your clothes.” Or saying my audience won't accept me because of the way I look. I was always confident and said I am who I am, but those comments stayed with me in the back of my mind. I have never really experienced hatred from people outside my family.

I wouldn't say I had low self-esteem, but I have my moments. My family all played sports and were very toned, so I was like an outsider. People would compliment my other siblings but not me. The way I overcame that was by ignoring what people say. If I wanna shave my head or wear a crop top, just bc I don't look like your average skinny girl, doesn't mean I can’t wear it. I wasn't quote-on-quote, “in shape.” I had to believe in myself. I would tell me myself,  “You look good.” I was doing things for me. That's why we started “Queens Have No Size.” Your worth isn't determined by what you look like. It's not about the size you wear, but the way you wear your size.

What makes you feel unstoppable?

God and prayer time make me feel unstoppable. God reveals himself to me through prayer. Interviews like this with Serve Your Truth. This interview ignited my fire and makes me feel like I have women who are on the same wavelength. I'm in a do-or-die season of my life. Nothing can stop me or get in my way of chasing my purpose. When chasing purpose, not everyone can come. God is trying to elevate you, but we have to let go of habits or people. God gave me this assignment and saw me fit. Even in moments when I feel inadequate, if God thinks I can do it, then I can for sure do it. If I don't get it done, God will have someone else to do it.

What is your self-care routine?

Outside of prayer and my devotional, I jam out to music. Every genre. I doodle or draw. I don't watch much TV except for grown-ish. I hang out with friends or play with my dog. Music is really my self-care. I love Disney music and I will jam to Pocahontas and I’ll dance in my living room, and that makes me feel good. Especially having my headphones on. Music puts me in the zone—everything from lyrics to sound. I just really love music.

Keep up with Klarke on her journey:

Website: www.kweentoqueen.com

Instagram: @kweenklarke

Twitter: @kweenklarke