“Being able to give positive vibes and energy to events is such a great feeling as is being a representative for others,” says @Imfamousx1x. This JBL Quantum Grant winner is passionate about encouraging others and spreading hope around!

What is your dream in gaming and/or esports? 

I really love teaching as well as casting/hosting gaming and esports events.

How will this award from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals? 

It will help me get PC upgrades so that I am able to continue the path that I started —and maybe even be able to do an event of my own.

What does being a 1,000 Dreams Fund – JBL Quantum Grant recipient mean to you? 

I’ve been in esports for a few years and it’s hard. Sometimes we don’t feel like we will ever get the respect for what we go through, so having a moment like this really means a lot.

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

We need to show our faces, share our stories, make safe events, and provide workshops. There are a lot of us who want to learn, grow, and compete but don’t have the tools to be able to do that.

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

I’ve consistently been disrespected, gaslit, degraded, and told that I’m not good enough. I’ve also had folks call me a fraud. It’s also difficult when you’re told to work harder, but no one wants to sit down with you to help along the way.

What advice do you have for women who want to work in the gaming or esports industry? 

The industry can be hard, very hard. But if you love and enjoy what you do, push through and build a community. Find others and help lift each other up. And when it gets really hard, unplug sometimes. It’s okay to take a break from the game or from making content. It doesn’t make you weak and it doesn’t mean you’re lazy.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals? 

I have an amazing group of people around me — from my best friend to my community, and my mods A.K.A. my support system — who all continue to hold me up when stuff gets hard. They remind me a lot of why I’m here and how they appreciate me being here.