@DeviantDreamers is a variety channel hosted by a mother (Mama D) and daughter (Devi) with an emphasis on positive interactions, mental health awareness, and community-building. And, we’re so excited to be celebrating Devi as a BroadcastHER Academy winner who loves creating a welcoming and cozy environment for all.

What is your dream in esports and gaming?

I have two major dreams within the gaming industry. My first goal is to create 3-D animations for a large gaming company, as I am currently studying in a Digital Animation program and would love to apply these skills to a full-time career. Second, I dream about pursuing meaningful and fulfilling opportunities in online broadcasting via outlets like Twitch. My aspirations with streaming are to create a warm and inviting community wherein all members feel valued and welcomed. We need more positivity in the world!

What does being the BroadcastHER Academy winner, which includes a $1,000 grant and all-expense-paid visit to the HyperX Esports Arena to shadow, mean to you and how will it help you reach your goals?

I am incredibly excited to have been selected for this program! The grant will allow me to put more funding towards my education and resources in order to pursue both of my life aspirations. A trip to the HyperX Arena and the possibility of being linked with a mentor is absolutely enthralling to me. As someone who lacks connections in the gaming industry, I am grateful for the amazing opportunity to connect with a professional and learn from their perspectives and garner knowledge.

Women are underrepresented in gaming, broadcasting, and esports. What can we do to change this?

Create opportunities for representation! Unfortunately, a lot of these opportunities (or lack thereof) often stream from the top. So, because we do not often see women within the professional gaming industry, there is a trickle-down effect which carries over into broadcasting platforms like Twitch. What we can do to combat this, however, is to make our voices heard and support other women to keep pushing them higher — just like this incredible foundation continues to do. We need to uplift our fellow women and show the world that, yes, the gaming field is open to us, too.

What are you most inspired by when it comes to creating encouraging content for young women in gaming, broadcasting, and esports?

I’m most inspired by the powerful female streamers I have met on Twitch. Through streaming teams and my interactions with other women, I have truly garnered the motivation to work harder and to prove to others that, just because I’m a woman, doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy playing games online. This, in turn, encourages me to take a step forward and motivate other women in my community who are also struggling with the same issues I’ve faced in the past.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

Often, I tend to struggle with my perception of self-worth: I constantly question if my streams are actually interesting enough or if I’ll be able to achieve my goals one day. I tend to view my capabilities as lesser than they are because of how society has limited me in the past. I was always steered away from the art and tech fields by others in my life and never given the chance to embrace what I love doing. Now that I am finally getting the chance to pursue these dreams, there’s nothing that can stop me.

What advice do you have for women who want to start broadcasting?

DO IT. TAKE THE LEAP! I am so incredibly grateful that I decided (on a whim) to start streaming last year, and it has truly changed my life. Not only have I cultivated a wholesome and supportive community, I’ve also been able to network with so many incredible women and I’ve learned a lot about myself and my own talents in the process. It has been an amazing ride so far and I’m sure there’s so much more to come in the future!

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

Sometimes, I might lose focus with my goals, but what helps me during these times is to do the following: Jot down a list of smaller things that I want to accomplish within a shorter time period (having benchmarks sometimes can help the bigger picture to seem less daunting); remember WHY this goal is so important; and use the words of others as motivation. Hearing inspiration from your friends can be a wonderful motivator, but so can the words of someone who doesn’t believe in you. Prove them wrong and keep working hard!!