Today we’d like to introduce you to Malik “Blizzb3ar” Jackson
Hi Malik, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I went to college for biology originally and ended up graduating with a biochemistry degree. I then started working for the Department of Defense right before the pandemic. When the pandemic hit, I began looking to streaming as an escape from the firestorm happening in the world. I was a mandatory worker, so going into work every day was really bad for my mental space and also put my health at risk. Streaming was a nice way for me to stay at home and find my community online. I didn’t really have a lot of black & queer friends in my life, so I tried to make friends who looked like me or identified similar to me online. Eventually things ended up becoming very successful for me and I quit my government job because I felt emotionally and mentally better creating content. This, in turn, let me to accepting a content job here in Austin and continuing my full time creator life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t and will never be a smooth road. Content creation isn’t consistent and there will be days where imposter syndrome will get to you. In the beginning, there was always a battle of trying to balance my government job with my content life. Sometimes I would have days of no sleep trying to juggle both, but always felt happier when focusing mostly on content. Also with doing content full time, you run into financial issues. Some paychecks will not be as hefty as others, which can be difficult to manage if it’s your first time doing it. Lastly, there will be times where you feel lonely. Content creation is still relatively new in the job market so it can feel a little isolating having to explain what you do when talking to folks day to day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in Twitch Streaming and content creation. I have been dabbling in that for over 4 years now. I am know as a black & queer streamer who focuses on true crime, gaming, lego building, and talking A LOT online. A lot of my work helps create a online space for people to be unapologetically themselves or provide an area for them to take a break and remind them to take a moment to exist.
I would say I am very proud of the community I created. Again, my goal walking into content creation was to find a community where there were people who looked like me or identified similarly to me. Although I found it, I also ended up making that community within my space as well. Walking into my chat, you can find viewers who are always down to learn together, always down to fight together, but more importantly, always down to share a laugh and moment together.
What sets me apart from others is my determination when it comes to creating community in virtual spaces. Also I am black & queer and putting in more work than my white colleagues just to make sure folks can feel represented in the content they consume. And that is very difficult work in the gaming space at times.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Honestly, my mom. To keep it simple, she always pushed me to try my best in whatever I put my brain and heart into. She doesn’t fully understand what I do for a living, but she is forever proud of me and happy that I am happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.twitch.tv/blizz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blizzb3ar/
- Twitter: https://x.com/blizzb3ar
Image Credits
Wes Ellis for the headshot
