Missy Senghore is a London-based IT analyst and vlogger of Gambian origin. In an exclusive chat with US-based Gambian journalist, Sainey Darboe , she started by telling our followers about herself:
Missy: I was born in the southern part of Sweden - Malmö in the mid-80s. Both my parents were born in The Gambia and came to Sweden when my grandfather moved to Sweden. Growing up in Sweden was wonderful to an extent. The older I got the more conscious I became about my race and my history linked to The Gambia.
We were never rich, so flying to The Gambia was a luxury and took a lot of saving up. So when I had the opportunity to work and save my own money I started to travel to The Gambia more often. I feel in love with The Gambia, the people and the food. From then I decided to make a vlog an create awareness of this tiny country to the world through YouTube.
Right now I'm working as an IT analyst which pays the bills, however my passion is making music and creating vlogs.
How did you become a vlogger?
It was actually my sister-in-law who inspired me to start vlogging. She bought a Canon G7X and started filming her holidays in South Africa, and I thought to myself - I can do that. So I borrowed her camera a few times to get used to filming on a small camera, and to edit the vlog I used iMovie on my iMac.
What are some of the biggest illusions people have about vlogging?
That it's easy. You have to be a creative person and have the drive to see it through. The filming part is easy, but how do you put it together? No one can get it right the first time, you have to apply yourself and read up on tips. There are plenty of YouTube videos which offer ideas on how to edit and which applications/cameras to use while putting together a vlog.
My personal go to person is Annie Drea who is a young black British vlogger. Her vlogs are amazing and full of content. I try to make my vlogs interesting/funny and add elements of education where I can. People mostly watch vlogs to escape their reality or for informational purposes. I try to meet in the middle of that demand, and yes it can be difficult sometimes. However you don't give up if vlogging is your passion.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment?
My greatest achievements have been getting my Media Ba Hons degree from University of East London and getting into the IT field. My degree helps me with the vlogging, while my IT career is more a personal achievement.
If you could go back in time and tell younger Missy Senghore one thing, what would it be?
Start doing what you love as soon as you think about it. I delayed so many dream jobs I wanted to do when I was younger. I thought I had all the time in the world - that was false. I could have started vlogging from my Uni days, but it wasn't until much later I had the courage to take it on.
What’s your favorite destination?
The Gambia and South Africa! If I could only travel to two countries for the rest of my life, these two would be it. If you watch my travel vlogs you will see why.
What motivates you?
I find motivation all around me; it really depends on my mood. Watching other vloggers is also a great inspiration. I would re-create a vlog and turn in it to my translation of that vlog (fashion vlogs/chit chat vlogs). Also I'm a naturally competitive person; I guess that is the Scorpio in me.
What’s the most difficult part about being vlogger?
Being consistent. I have to admit that this is one of my weaker points. I do love creating vlogs, but with a full time job and family life it can be very hard and time consuming. If I wasn't working full-time or if I had a bigger following (subscribers) where my vlogs could pay my bills I would definitely dedicate my time to it more.
You went to Gambia in 2016 and vlogged on your trip. How would you describe your experience?
Honestly, it was one of the greatest experiences and best decision I've ever made. I feel like I've helped raise awareness about The Gambia, which was my aim. I get so many questions about how to get there, what the people are like and what to do in the country. Having series of Gambian vlogs I hope I have captured the culture and life of The Gambia, I want to be a part of creating tourism and awareness to people around the world. If people can see what is possible in The Gambia, more would come and experience The Smiling Coast of Africa, and with my platform I hope I have achieved this.
If you could time-travel to anywhere, where would you go?
I would love to see my grandparents, I never got to meet some or I was a baby when they died. I would love to thank them for brining my parents to the world and see what they were like as grandparents.