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by Robbie Jackson
For years this newspaper has served the community the best way possible, and the introduction of a new era is not only welcome but it’s also celebrated. Some new fresh perspectives are coming to the forefront.
One voice specifically is a legacy Bay View news youth ready to blaze her own trail in her own way. The Oakland native has multiple businesses across the Bay all before the age of 21. This young lady is nothing short of impressive, and I had the pleasure of interviewing her to get all the details on her past, present, and future. So, I would like to introduce to the journalism world, Xion Abiodun!
Robbie: So, I like to work from the past, into the present and finish with the future. Tell me an ancestor in your tribe (family) member you are most alike?
Xion: The ancestor that I feel like I am most like is my cousin Day Day! We were three years apart, and I say I am like him the most because we grew up in the same generation, in the same family and we’re just into the same stuff in general, like music, tv shows, and personality wise we were almost the same.
Robbie: I love that. Like a twin flame. How has growing up in the Bay shaped the way you see and do business?
Xion: Growing up in the Bay shaped the way I do business because we are very entrepreneurial, and living here is expensive. The Bay Area is one of those places where it is normal to see teenagers with 2-3 jobs, so we are all trying to find a way to be able to control our time and money.
Robbie: Let’s move into the present. I did my research and you are booked and busy, honey! Please name all your businesses and what services and products they offer!
Xion: My business is Xiscollections, I sell handmade cosmetics such as lip gloss, and hair growth oil. I also have Green Gloww, which is not so much of a business but more of an online group that I created. It promotes sustainability and teaches people how to care for Earth and the animals.
Robbie: So why entrepreneurship so early? Who influenced that?
Xion: My life influenced my entrepreneurial spirit. I have always yearned to be rich (money-wise) because growing up I heard things like “we don’t have money for this or that.” So, I tried to get a job at like 12 or 13 years old and when no one hired me I created my business Xiscollections!
Robbie: I’m not mad at that! Make the money girl! But that’s not all you do. I see you are in pageants too! How did you get into that pageant life? Tell me how the journey has been for you as a Black woman specifically.
Xion: I got into pageant life by submitting my picture to a pageant in the summer of 2022! I have not competed physically yet so I cannot tell you what it is like as of now. But I have been campaigning for it so far and have gotten so much support from people in the pageant and my city, Oakland!
Robbie: That’s dope. The crazy part is that it is not it for you. We still got more accomplishments to discuss! I heard you are on the cusp of graduating!! Congrats! Please tell me about your degree and what you would like to do with it?
Xion: Thank you so much! I am graduating with my AA degree in Business Administration. Honestly, I am just using this degree to make my business more successful, and to make more money at jobs, because this is not the major I was passionate about. I did it because halfway through getting my degree I realized this major was burning me out, and not making me excited, but I did not want to waste the time I took pursuing this degree, so I decided to just see it through.
Robbie: With so much going on how are you balancing all these things while also living life?
Xion: I am balancing my responsibilities while having a social life by saying no to things that I have no desire to do or whenever I need to get rest. And using Google Calendar, the reminders from the app really make my life much easier and organized.
Robbie: In an era of tiktok and IG how are you stepping outside of apps to get your daily dose of reality?
Xion: I am stepping outside of apps to get my daily dose of reality by taking my dog on a walk daily and turning off my phone at certain times. I am still learning how to live in the real world again since cell phones and computers were already essential in everyday life since I was a child.
Robbie: I know! I feel that! It’s hard to put it down when I’ve had it in my hand since birth! Haha. Let’s move into the future. What is one thing you look forward to this generation developing?
Xion: One thing I look forward to is this generation developing ways to combat climate change. We are the generation left with all the environmental problems that the older generations left us. So, we all have to find a way to reverse the changes or else we will go extinct. I do think a lot of people are paying attention to this issue though, so I know that we are going to fix this.
Robbie: I love that. Y’all will literally change the world. Tell me about anything you are a part of that is coming up. (Give me the rundown and any shoutouts)
Xion: I am directing a video for the Grammy award-winning artists Alphabet Rockers! I am also writing articles in the Bay View and campaigning for my pageant! It is an exciting time for me, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds, while simultaneously living in the present.
Robbie Jackson and Xion Abiodun are students of the San Francisco Bay View’s Community Journalism Institute, which is funded by the California State Library-Ethnic Media Grant.
