Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiara Monroe.
Hi Kiara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I’m originally from Florida and moved to Austin after graduating from college in 2013. I started working in the tech industry for a fortune 500 company that decided to expand its headquarters out of Detroit. Since then, I have worked for the federal government and am expanding my horizons at a well-known startup company in Austin. Last year I decided to take my name and brand to another level by having a Sneaker Ball event in Downtown Austin at a prestigious venue. I also started taking modeling seriously in my spare time and was selected for LA Fashion Week in March this year.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Austin’s tech industry is soaring, but the urban nightlife has struggled since I moved here. It’s hard to find events curated for “The Culture” here in Austin, unlike in Houston or Dallas, where it’s abundant. It’s always a struggle to find venues that want to incorporate urban nightlife, DJs who play specific music for a selective audience, and folks who come out and support you when you need to be better known. On the other spectrum finding urban LGBTQIA events has also become hard, as there is no safe space for a weekly event.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently support many technologies in the Cloud Engineering and Database Administration sector. My colleagues know me to be a hard worker and an avid sneaker collector. I always wear stylish kicks to the office to add a pop of uniqueness. In my free time also model streetwear for small and big brands, high fashion, and suit wear. I’m proud of moving five states over alone, not knowing anyone. Starting my life over in a new state, keeping a positive outlook within my career, and now I’ve been here for a decade. I don’t look like your typical IT person. In college, I walked on to the USF women’s basketball team, minored in criminology, and majored in a degree that was half engineering and half business. All the while being the first African American on campus to longboard to class. It makes me unpredictable regarding the lengths I will go to achieve the best I can be in life, my career, and my relationships.
What changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The tech industry in Austin and Texas will be the epicenter of a significant paradigm shift. Headquarters for financial and tech companies will flock here to every metro and smaller city, driving business and culture in the entertainment sector. That will bring new trends in fashion, music, etc.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelifeofkimo
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiaramonroe
- SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/aribb
- Other: https://www.linktr.ee/Thelifeofkimo
Image Credits
Alyssa R Hernandez – ARH Creative Studio, MackTheTailor, Antoinne Duane Jones – ADJ Media
