Actress, model, and media personality Angela White, previously known as “Blac Chyna,” was a special guest at the 2nd Annual I Love Myself Festival on May 18. She attended the event with her son, King, and daughter, Dream.
The festival is a life-changing exhibition put on by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health and Project Pit. The goal of I Love Myself is to bring attention to psychological wellness, especially in the Black community.
Project Pit is a partnership platform that brings together artists, brands, and organizations to deliver socially impactful public events.
Along with the live-stage entertainment, personalities, and vendors, the festival also provides mental health resources. There is a consistent message spread throughout the event that it is okay to use them.
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In addition to White’s attendance, special guest performers included singers Omarion and Mario.
White gained worldwide fame in the unscripted series “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and its spinoff show “Rob and Chyna,” with her then partner Rob Kardashian.
White believes it takes a strong personality to be in a reality series, but more importantly she feels it takes the mindset of an entertainer to succeed in one.
Two years ago, she separated her “Chyna” persona from her real life. It was a therapeutic process she began after reversing several cosmetic enhancements.
“I’m just focusing on Angela,” said White. “Blac Chyna the brand – she got me through the door. Thanks girl. Angela’s here.”
White, who also stars in the BET drama series “The Black Hamptons,” said events like the I Love Myself Festival is a safe space where Black people can come together and not feel isolated when it comes to navigating their psychological well-being.
“To see all these people, and the love, and the food, and people dancing, and good music – it feels good,” said White. “It does something to the soul.”
Although Black people have similar or lower rates of common mental disorders than whites, according to a 2019 Health Services Research report, their mental disorders are more severe, persistent, and disabling.
Persons of African descent are also less likely to utilize psychiatric services, and if they receive care, it is usually of lower quality than the care provided to whites. Consequently, the unmet need for mental health care is greater among Blacks than whites.
White thinks the tendency for Black people to avoid mental health care stems from seeing it as a sign of weakness that elicits shame and apprehension.
“A lot of times we don’t want to admit, ‘Hey, I’m going through this or I’m kind of off today,’” said White. “Everybody wants to make it seem as though everything is good. And it’s okay to have those bad days and recognize it, so it doesn’t build up even more.”
She said one of her favorite ways to decompress from a bad day is a nap because it gives her a moment to step away from her problems, so that she can return to them later with a clearer mind.
And when it comes to supporting friends and family during mental crises, White said actively listening to them express their concerns is key.
“If somebody comes to you and says, ‘Hey, this is what I’m going through,’ just listen. A lot of times people want to say, ‘Well, you’re going through this, well I’m going through this, too,’’’ said White.
She continued, “Now, I feel [emptier than] before I came to you – I should have just kept my comments to myself. I feel like people should have that open space for the next person that’s spilling their most intimate details and things that are going on in their life.”
White said then a concern can develop that their confidante may use their personal secrets against them. Unfortunately, sometimes these types of dramas can play out on social media.
With a strong following across many online platforms, White has learned that whenever she sends out negativity on social media, she receives it back in return.
“So, when I was putting out negative stuff,” she explained, “of course I’m going to have negative comments. Of course, I’m going to get backlash. Of course, anything I do – if I blink, anybody is going to hate it, because that’s the energy that I’m putting out.”
Today, White concentrates on putting out good energy, not only on social media but also in her personal life. “People will see that, and that’s the kind of energy I’m getting back,” said White.
White said she is presently concentrating her attention on working more as an actress, the happiness of her children and family, her own health and fitness, and first and foremost, getting closer to God.
Follow Angela White on Instagram @blacchyna, and for more information on the I Love Myself Festival, visit www.projectpit.com.
