Omaiah Hall is known for making a statement in everything she sets out to do. A year after competing at the first ever Miss Guyana Teen Scholarship Pageant (MGTSP), where she promoted her ‘passion project’, ‘BeYOUtiful’, the 19-year-old launched her project rebranded as ‘the BeYOU Community’ on July 27.
Omaiah who finished third in the pageant, had created quite a name for herself, walking away with the People’s Choice, Best Essay and Best Evening Gown awards. The competition had created a platform for its contestants to bring to life their passions and this is where BeYOUtiful was birthed. Omaiah hosted several workshops during this time, which she said impacted lives.
The BeYOU Community is an inclusive youth organization, which welcomes everyone. Operating under the motto, ‘Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Absolutely You’ it allows and encourages persons to be themselves.
In an online post, Omaiah shared, “Starting this project with my team of amazing young people is a dream come true for me, like many young people, we are all still learning and progressing in our own ways, we’ve all struggled in some aspect but this has only inspired us to be able to share our stories, and how it has moulded us into the individuals we are today. Everyone has a story to tell and I have quite a few from my family, to friends and even relationships, there’s so much that I wish to speak on. Quite recently I flipped and was angry at the world, angry at myself and everyone surrounding me, I was constantly being attacked by my own fears, it hindered me from actually being ok and confronting the situation head on, so I waited till all my anger got the best of me and I lashed out at everyone, I needed help and after a while I wasn’t afraid to seek help anymore, I slid my pride aside, the help came and slowly but surely I am progressing and I am ever so grateful. Sometimes we have no idea who to turn to, sometimes when we try to seek help, we get hurt and are frowned upon. The BeYOU Community will frown upon no one, we will welcome you and your story with open arms and kind gestures, and in us, our youths can find comfort, and know in their hearts that the world isn’t against them.”
Following that dark period, Omaiah further explained, she decided to do something positive about her situation in the hope of giving herself much needed motivation. She chose to join a group of young people who she learnt were champions for peace. Initially, she was excited because of what they stood for.
Though she did disclose what, the teen said she was turned down over “something stupid”. She noted that she felt like the world was pitted against her but was determined not to let their rejection lead to self-rejection. She added that she eventually learnt that there were others who were also turned down by the same group of people because of their past. Realizing that instead of looking for a group that would welcome the person she is, she should instead create her own for others who long to be their own true selves, Omaiah did just that by rebranding her pageant project into a community that promotes and encourages people living their true identities.
Omaiah, who is also the reigning Junior Calypso Monarch, said the rebuff pushed her to start a community for young people like herself who have felt rejection, found it difficult to express themselves, and are in need of a safe space to run and cry to. “Here we believe in growth,” she said, “what happened yesterday may not be your responsibility but how you behave today is. You will never be able to control your future if you let your present be controlled by your past. The BeYOU Community isn’t here to judge but to look at the future and heal and be better, allowing persons to be their true selves. The aim of this community is to have young people aspire to be the best version of themselves, to accept their flaws, take the hate and transform it into greatness.”
During the next few weeks, BeYOU Community will introduce their members along with their objectives as a youth organization as well as their plans for the future. For now, the organization will be sharing a few inspirational stories and promises a lot of fun activities for those stuck at home to participate in.
