Over on @SammySam‘s stream, you can expect “50% pro plays,  50% potato gameplay, and 100% chill vibes.” This BroadcastHER Grant winner plays everything from spooky games to battle royales, but she’s most passionate about promoting kindness and positivity.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

I have an ambitious goal of being the face of women in gaming. Women have been held back in the gaming industry by demeaning comments like ‘we don’t belong in this industry’ and ‘we can’t compete above a certain level.’ I want to be an example of breaking that stigma and motivating other women to venture into a professional gaming career.

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

There are a lot features I want to integrate into my stream, but I haven’t been able to do so because of my antiquated PC components. I have been experiencing high latency, lag, high CPU, and RAM usage. So to have a dedicated amount of money to solely put toward upgrading my PC and streaming peripherals is truly a blessing.

What does being a recipient mean to you?

To be selected when thousands of people applied for this opportunity is a huge honor. I look up to many of the creators that have been selected for this grant in the past, so to be recognized at the same level as them gave me a huge confidence boost. Thank you so much for noticing me.

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

Women are constantly overlooked in the content-creation space and not taken seriously. When we are given opportunities, we’re told ‘it’s just because you’re a woman.’ There’s no credit given for the work it took for us to get there. We need to put in effort in supporting each other and drowning out the hate. Sadly, a lot of us are too worried about people surpassing us — like it’s some sort of competition. There is enough room for everyone to succeed.

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

Imposter syndrome has been a hinderance, preventing me from pursuing different avenues and angles of content creation. Thankfully, I’ve had friends who encourage me — and they’ve built up my confidence.

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

Just do it. Take the leap. The hardest part is starting. Also, remember: Everyone is on their own journey. Broadcasting is not a competition. There are opportunities out there for everyone. Go at your own pace as it is not a race.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

I surround myself with people who are passionate about gaming, broadcasting, and content-creation. I love having brainstorming sessions with my friends who also stream to think up content ideas.