Roti Brown
The SEEN series highlights various guests, diving into the ways they have discovered themselves through reading. What stories shaped them? Helped them define their own? These intimate interviews seek to celebrate their discoveries, hear what they’ve learned from their favorite works, and uncover a glimpse of their interior world through the books that have changed them.
Roti Brown is on a path to reclaiming her creative identity, a direction motivated by realizing that she was giving all of her creative spark to her work, and leaving little for herself. This ultimately led her to Somi Studio, a passion project turned photo studio inspired by creation and community, where she’s hosted late-night journaling sessions for creative Black women and the last Seen Library book exchange.
Here, Roti tells us more about why she started Somi, the book that centered her during the tension of 2020, and how her father inspired her love for reading.
What is your name?
Roti is actually just a nickname, but what most people call me. My family is from a small island called Tobago, where roti is the bread we eat with curries and stews, sort of like naan. I like that it ties back to my roots and speaks to a sort of essential part of the cuisine there.
Who are you?
I’m someone who’s actively trying to separate my identity from my job, but I do feel like my career journey is a significant part of who I am and how I view myself.
Growing up, I never viewed myself as a creative person and was almost unaware that there were creative jobs that could turn into careers. I grew up with a very narrow view of what professional success looked like – it was pretty much doctor, lawyer, or bust in my mind. So when I stumbled into a creative career it was truly a whirlwind. Rewarding and exciting but still a bit draining. It put pressure on a part of me I left undisturbed for a long time.
For now, I'd describe myself as a creative person who’s working to get back to feeling authentically connected to my creative side. And someone who really enjoys time spent in the quiet, which is maybe why I love reading so much. And for work, I’m a full-time freelance content creator and creative strategist.
What helps you stay present?
In my personal life, putting my phone down. I'm a little better at this than I should be. I sleep with my phone in another room and leave it in my purse on do not disturb when out with friends. It’s helped me to pay attention to my own thoughts and appreciate my current setting, as opposed to getting lost in whatever the internet is currently in a frenzy over. I will say this comes with some consequences – I miss a lot of calls and can be slow to respond to texts. A fair trade, if you ask me.
Professionally, I’ve recently found that a passion project can be so helpful. I used to think the solution to staying present and avoiding burnout with work was to work less but I think what’s better for me is working differently and working on something that truly fills me up. During the pandemic, I was burnt out. I had exhausted my creative muscles and felt I had nothing more to give to my work life which demands creativity from me every day. That's when I decided to renovate and design my photo studio, Somi.
What inspired you to start Somi and what were your goals for creating this space?
The idea for Somi, my photo studio, was born from an intense creative rut that I found myself in. I had been working in the creative space for a few years and one day woke up realizing all my creative energy was being given to other people, other companies, and projects that I felt connected to but were not truly my own. I was drained, uninspired, and had exhausted all my creative muscles. I was in desperate need of a refresh, something that would stretch me and allow me to get my hands dirty.
I was also deeply craving a space that spoke to the things I felt were missing in life. Somewhere that made capturing content easy, a place that would leave others and myself inspired to create something beautiful, and a space where people could connect in real life. Somi has been open for just a few months now, but I think we’ve already touched on a few of the things we set out to do. We recently hosted a late night journaling session with a group of 14 creative Black Women and it was one of the most rewarding evenings I’ve been a part of. We’ve hosted other community events (including an intimate Seen Library book exchange), dinner parties, and been a home to campaign photoshoots for big companies and photo sessions for small creators.
Creating something that I’m proud of from the ground up re-sparked my creative flame. It challenged me and helped me get back to feeling the way I did when I first started in this field. I’m so excited to be sharing Somi with everyone now that it's open.
What book has made you feel the most seen? Why?
I think I read You Are Your Best Thing at a very pivotal moment in my life. In the summer of 2020, the media surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement left me with an onslaught of complicated emotions. I spend most of my time in liberal spaces so the white/non-Black people around me were supportive of the movement. But their comments, perspectives and overall attitude around the rise of the movement still seemed so out-of-touch.
I remember one co-worker saying to me, “I'm from Minneapolis, I lived there most of my life and the things that have been coming out in the news are so awful. I just had no idea that this was going on. Me and no one in my family knew that Black people were being treated this way by the cops.” I remember wanting to scream. I felt so offended by her obliviousness to what Black folks have been dealing with for so long.
I was angry most days in the summer of 2020. I was overwhelmed and almost constantly triggered. You Are Your Best Thing helped to bring me back to the center of the situation. It brought into focus how vast the Black experience is, while helping me to feel seen. It allowed me to process the trauma of my own experiences with white supremacy and the ongoing trauma that keeping up with the media was subjecting me to. It reminded me that while there has been a lot of strife in our community, there's also a lot of beauty to be found in our struggle.
I loved how raw and emotional all the authors were. I loved even more that, while it's a book filled with a collection of stories from 20 authors, I was able to see a bit of myself on every single page. It was a healing read for me.
Was there a certain person, or moment in your life, that influenced your relationship with reading?
My dad. He’s an avid reader, excellent storyteller, and a poet. I grew up with a very clear view of how important words were to him. It's a connection that I wanted to make with words as well. He was never pushy about reading; it was more of a watch and learn type of thing. He allowed me to form an organic connection with books and reading – years later it's still one of my favorite hobbies.
Share your favorite books.
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin because everyone should try to get to know James Baldwin better.
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur because it's full of beautiful mind-shifting perspectives.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou because we all need to read a story about overcoming.
You Are Your Best Thing by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown because it's a book I keep coming back to.
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall because non-inclusive feminism will get us nowhere.
More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth because imposter syndrome for WOC in the workforce is REAL, but possible to overcome.
Is there a topic you’d like to explore deeper through reading?
I'm currently reading a book on consumerism called Consumed by Aja Barber. It's been eye opening to say the least! I’ve found it really interesting to learn about what pushes us towards certain purchases and how ingrained capitalism is into our society. I'm looking forward to reading more books that explore similar topics. My DMs are open for recommendations.
Favorite independent bookstore?
Eso Won – a Black-owned bookstore that has always prioritized selling Black stories from the perspective of Black people. A forever favorite. They unfortunately closed their Leimert Park brick & mortar shortly after the pandemic hit, but you can still support them online.
What is a quote from a book that you find yourself returning to?
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” –Maya Angelou
What book do you think could change the world if every person read it?
I think if people flipped through and truly understood the ethos behind Tyler Mitchell’s I Can Make You Feel Good, there’d be a huge shift.
If you could go back in time and give your younger self a book that you have already read, which would it be?
Favorite place to curl up with a book?
On my side of the bed with a dim light. I like to read myself to sleep during the week.
When I have more free time, I love reading outside with a blanket spread out in a quiet environment, on a stretch of grass.
What’s on your nightstand?
A short story called Summer Solstice by Nina MacLaughlin, water and a tiny tray that holds my rings and earrings while I sleep.
Are there characters or stories you are often drawn to?
I feel most connected to characters who face a lot of adversity. People who fall and get back up again.
Qualities you value in a main character?
Relatability, honesty, humor.
Qualities you value in yourself?
My drive, passion and my adaptability. I'm not afraid to admit that I don't always get things right the first time, but I've come to appreciate my ability to shift, think on my feet and make the necessary changes.
Authors or fictional characters you’d invite to your dream dinner party?
Maya Angelou. I love her story and would love even more to hear it from her IRL.
What was the last book you gifted? To whom?
I gifted Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall to one of my closest friends.
What was the last book you were given? By whom?
My aunt, who always gifts me my favorite reads, gave me Finding Me by Viola Davis.
Where can people find you?
@rotiibrown on all the things.
Photos by Jordan Santos / Intro by Halleta Alemu