Lystra
“I define myself! I deconstruct the “shoulds” that society prescribes for women and I reconstruct myself from a decolonized lens on a daily basis!”
Lystra’s has always had a hunger for adventure and also change. Her imagination as a young girl took her from Europe to the Mediterranean to the mountains of Peru. This imagination, combined with a lifechanging conversation with PRINCE (yes - the PRINCE) eventually led her to book a ticket to embark on a 6 month adventure around the world. This escape would become a lifestyle. For an entire decade, Lystra traveled around - living in seven different countries. After this she was determined to share the knowledge she had earned back home. Now she runs her own travel company QmooniTi. Lystra is passionate about building communities, and advocating for her community. She is determined to say the things that need to be said, and to use her voice in the fight against systemic oppression. Lystra is a bold leader who navigates life with integrity and courage. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself.
L: Hi, my name is Lystra Germaine Sam.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
L: I am a serial entrepreneur, an actor, an activist, a global traveler, a community capacity builder, an Aunty, a sister, a friend, a creator and a lifelong learner.
I am invested in the success and amplification of my QmooniTi (community) at every intersection and on a global scale.
I’m multitalented due to a curious nature that has driven me to access a multidisciplinary education and career.
I am deeply invested in healing from the generational trauma(s) collected by my ancestors due to wyt supremacy and it’s deadly systemic culture. I have developed strong opinions in order to show up as my whole self and do so unapologetically no matter the room I’m in, platform I’m speaking on, or the task at hand.
I allow my integrity and my intuition to lead and inspire me in all things life, love, business, community building, healing, and relationship building!
I’m often called audacious!!
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
L: I think my most AND least favourite thing about myself is my capacity to love and feel so deeply! Maybe it’s a Scorpio thing!
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
L: I can’t get into all the details because it’s a long tale of manifestation to tell, but an encounter with PRINCE (the musician) saved me life.
I ended up on stage as his “dancer” at one of his concerts here in Vancouver and after the concert I was at his after party and we had a really deep conversation about life and humanity and letting our inner God/Source light shine no matter how many times life and/or people tried to dim it. He encouraged me to share in a transparent manner and I ended up bawling my face off all over him. That encounter led me to follow my dreams of travelling around the world. I left Canada for 10 years and I went on an even deeper healing journey with myself.
I’m a better person, stronger, more well adjusted and a happier human due to that entire experience!
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
L: Don’t be so hard on yourself!
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
Damn! I love being a woman! Even though it means living in a world that is so afraid of our power, of our essence that rather than use it to its best advantage to benefit humanity, it completely devalues us.
It means everything to me because I can’t separate being a woman from being Black and that shapes my identity in the most profound and meaningful ways.
Audre Lorde said: “If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.”
I define myself! I deconstruct the “shoulds” that society prescribes for women and I reconstruct myself from a decolonized lens on a daily basis!
I change as a I grow deeper into myself and my womanhood! It’s not a stagnant relationship. I’m constantly finding even more ways and more reasons to love my womanly self!
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say if they were here now?
L: I cannot possibly choose one woman to name! I have been blessed to be surrounded by good, strong, inspirational women my entire life. This led me to curate amazing friendship groups with women since my early 20s.
My mom (May she RIP), my sisters Portia and Zainab, my best friend Kindred and a new colleague who I look up to as a mentor - Devi Ward Erickson - these are women who support my every dream unconditionally and with gusto! The only meaningful thing that I could say to any one of them is: “ A thousand sweet thank you’s! I am so grateful for you in my life!”