Games that tell good stories are what @Pizza_Yeti loves the most — so indie games are a big part of this BroadcastHER Grant winner’s repertoire as is Nintendo. She also is a proud member of Brown Girl Gamer Code.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

My dream is to create a space for BIPOC to feel safe and represented in the games I play. I want to focus on supporting indie games through my streams so that my community learns more about the stories that indie games tell.

How will the BroadcastHER Grant from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals?

It will help me pay for my PC so that I’m not limited to streaming on a MacBook Pro. It will also help me with getting upgrades like a new chair, so that I can take care of my body and promote healthier streaming.

What does being the recipient of the BroadcastHER Grant mean to you?

It means that other people recognize the work that I put into my streams and into creating a brave space for my community. It means that they believe in me to make a change in gaming and streaming — and that’s a huge deal to me.

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

We can continue to create opportunities for women to show people what we’re capable of doing in the gaming community. We can continue to call out people and platforms that don’t protect women or value the contributions we’ve made to the community. We can be there for each other as we deal with the toxicity that exists online.

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

I’ve dealt with a lot of people questioning my gender and assuming that I need help with the games that I’m playing on streams. People have come into chat with the intention of trolling fairly frequently. I’ve also dealt with people who want to make racist remarks about Black people.

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

While it sound cliché, the most important thing is to be authentic. Play the games that you want to play and stream what you want to stream. Do your best to not listen to the people who say that streaming is only one thing. We are made better by our diversity; don’t shy away from that.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

I’m a part of an excellent community: Brown Girl Gamer Code (BGGC). We support each other to achieve the goals that we set for ourselves. I also believe that what I’m doing will eventually impact at least one person — and that keeps me focused on what I want to do. But I credit a lot of what I’ve done in the last year to being a part of BGGC; they’ve been incredibly impactful and I wouldn’t be where I am without that community.