5 days ago
The Woman Behind She Well Read & More: Meet Samra Michael
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Samra Michael wears many hats … And you can be sure that no matter which one she's sporting, she's doing so with style. Known for both books and looks, Samra is one-half of the dynamic duo behind She Well Read, a podcast and online book club. She's also behind Xdressin, an online shop offering vintage and upcycled pieces. Most recently, she launched Samra, the Curator, a boutique marketing agency to help celebrate her love for Birmingham and local creatives.
We caught up with Samra to hear how her many passions align, her favorite places in Birmingham, and more!
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What inspired you to start your marketing agency, and what sets it apart?
I started it because I noticed the lack of diversity in advertising. I got my degree in marketing at UAB in 2019. Since then, I've worked on world-class, international brands and in agencies. I noticed the system wasn't necessarily set up for minorities to thrive, and I was working with clients who weren't local.
I've always lived in Birmingham, and I feel extremely passionate about planting my roots here. So, I wanted to take all my marketing knowledge (gathered working for companies in Oregon, Texas, and other places) and really invest it in Birmingham.
A lot of young people graduate and then leave for better opportunities. What sets me apart is the network I've built … I've been lucky enough to work with so many creative people here that I know there's talent in Birmingham, and I don't need to look elsewhere for creatives.
Tell us more about your second-hand online store Xdressin.
Xdressin started out of the need for my passion for fashion to be expressed in some way. Going into college, before I settled on marketing, I thought about working in retail as a buyer … But after learning about the fashion industry, I realized that my morals didn't align with how the industry is run.
So I started to learn more about sustainable fashion (what it was called then). Now, we've moved on to calling it 'circular fashion.' Ultimately, I just wanted to fight injustice in the fashion industry. So, I started reselling clothes. I've always collected clothes with a focus on upcycling, which is working with a piece that has been gently used and bringing new life to it. I thought that was one way to be a part of the industry without creating more waste.
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What's something you wish more people understood about sustainable or circular fashion?
It doesn't have to break the bank. If your budget allows, it is fantastic to support small-batch fashion designers. But the price is sometimes out of my budget. I'm just a regular girl in her 20s. So, for me, it's all about thrifting and finding interesting ways to get more life out of my clothes.
I think looking at it as more of a lifestyle change is really important because sometimes we have these moments where we're like, 'I need to change everything in my closet.' Our culture encourages that — a 'rebrand' or jumping on board a new trend. But try not to purchase things. Live with what you have and challenge yourself to re-wear things.
What inspired your podcast and book club, She Well Read?
First of all, we were trying to get back into reading. And second of all, we wanted community. Alana Baumann and I were both very active in school and had been a part of so many organizations. That loss of community we had on campus made us feel like all we did was get up and go to work every day. We needed something else.
We want to encourage a love for reading in everybody, even people who don't necessarily see themselves as readers. We'd like to encourage everybody to read whatever is available to them. We also like to speak to Black women to encourage them to be well-read, know what's going on, and support each other.
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How do you see your love for reading, fashion, and marketing intersecting?
In each of the businesses, I'm coming from a place of 'I don't see myself represented here.'
With She Well Read, we try to raise awareness about injustice. We stopped a whole season of our podcast to focus on George Floyd. One of the things I'm most proud of doing is book drives to support a youth detention center. We've posted on our Instagram about Adriana Smith and issues of reproductive justice in the South. And one of the first things Xdressin did was upcycle T-shirts to donate money to Black Lives Matter.
With Samra, the Curator, my indie marketing agency, I really want to give credit to Black creators and creatives who aren't often tapped by other agencies.
Who is inspiring you right now?
An artist named Aminé just dropped an album called 13 Months of Sunshine, and I have had it on repeat. As an East African, I always look out for other East African artists, and he's been around for quite some time. I've always respected him, but I think he really tapped into something authentic on this album.
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What do you like to do when you're not working?
Rest. That looks different at different times. It may be meditation. It may be sitting on my porch. It may be taking a walk, exercising, or sweating. It may not seem like resting, but it allows my mind to rest.
What are some of your favorite places in Birmingham?
For food, I love Trattoria Zaza and Automatic Seafood. For coffee, I love Grounds and Honest Coffee in Homewood. And when I want to enjoy nature, I like the Vulcan Trail.
What's the best advice you have to offer?
Don't make yourself small to make others comfortable.
Name three things you can't live without.
Coffee, gardening, and music.
Lightning Round!
Last great book you read: Nothing Personal by James Baldwin
Bucket list travel destinations: I've never been to where my parents were born, so I would love to see Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Also, Europe, as a whole, and Tokyo, Japan.
Go-to birthday gift to give: A Village Apothecary candle
Favorite place to thrift: America's Thrift Store in Roebuck
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Southern women are doing remarkable things. Meet more of them in our FACES archives!
About the Author Javacia Harris Bowser
Javacia Harris Bowser is a Birmingham-based freelance writer and the founder of See Jane Write, an online community and coaching service for women who write. With over 20 years of journalism experience, Javacia has received awards from the National Federation of Press Women, Alabama Media Professionals, Alabama Press Association, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. When she's not writing, she's usually practicing Pilates, getting her 10K steps a day, or watching crime shows. Follow Javacia on Instagram @seejavaciawrite.
