@Uadjyt a.k.a. Jyt is a librarian by trade and a gamer in practice. She adores promoting literacy and the love of reading and always has a whole list of books to recommend. On this BroadcastHER Grant winner’s feed, you’ll probably catch live story-time readings, some variety game play, and other sweet “Kool-Aid freeze cup doses of laughs and some sweet shenanigans.”

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

My current dream is to create a haven of fun, safety, and coziness that promotes literacy and encourages others to learn to love reading or reconnect with their love of literature.

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

It will help me upgrade from my current gaming laptop to my first PC. With this, I’ll be able to bring better-quality streams to my community. Funding for me means I get to continue to share my passions with my growing community.

What does being a recipient mean to you?

It means that you looked at this very nerdy, gaming librarian who is trying to make a space in this world and you saw my dream for advocating literacy and education — and you believed in it and me.

It makes my heart so full because all I really want to do is help people fall in love or fall back in love with reading while having a safe haven for women and femmes like me to shine and be their most authentic self.

Simply put, it is validating and encouraging to me, so I can give that space and energy to others.

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

Just as 1DF is doing now, we have to take a chance on women and help them reach their dreams. Women and femmes are considered the exception not the norm in this industry. So, by uplifting women and giving them opportunities to host e-sports events, participate in gaming on different levels, and push for their faces to be in broadcasting, we can help this become the norm.

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

One of my biggest challenges has been trying to figure out how to be myself in the broadcasting space.

Yes, I play games, but reading/literacy holds a bit more weight and passion for me. I had to figure out that it was okay to bring all of those things together and just be me.

I’m always fighting doubt about whether I can give myself permission to do things, even if it isn’t well-received. But I’ve learned to stay true to who I am and what I want.

The real and imagined pressures to be what we think is palatable to others is always going to be there. But I think if I strive to be myself and let my light shine, others will be able to do that for themselves, too.

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

Take a chance on yourself and do it! I really thought that who I was wouldn’t be enough to entertain people, but I’ve learned that your tribe, your community, and other cool, likeminded people will find you and enjoy you just the way you are.

Be true to yourself. There is no need to be anyone other than you.

I would also tell you to find a reason why you want to broadcast that can grow with you. It will be your drive and motivation on the not-so-great days.

So, in sum… take a chance, be true to you, and find your why.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

My motivation stems from my desire for higher literacy and a cozy safe space for folks to be themselves. That’s what I wanted for myself and seeing others who want that is very encouraging.

My community definitely helps motivate me and keep me on my goals. My sugas are amazing folks and allow me the same space to be myself that I try to allow them to be in my space.

It’s also encouraging when folks say they’ve discovered they enjoy reading more than they thought. My highest honor is when someone says they fell asleep in my stream from me reading. That means that not only have I gotten them to do some reading that day, but they felt comfortable enough to fall asleep. That’s a job well done for me.