We had the good fortune of connecting with Myeisha Selby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Myeisha, how does your business help the community?
K-Pop For Peace is an not-for-profit organization that is comprised of K-Pop fans who wish to make an impact in the world through our experiences in and out of the K-Pop world. Built upon the foundation of mental health, we utilize social work principles, the life lessons from our idols, and our voice to address social injustice around the world. With a strong reminder that there is power within our voice, K-Pop For Peace brings awareness of social injustice issues facing marginalized populations around the world while spreading positivity. From hosting local and virtual fundraising events to sponsoring larger scale events, K-Pop For Peace continuously provides a safe-place for our followers in need of services and distributes educational information to ensure our followers understand the social injustice in their communities. Our business uses these educational moments to help their followers access the power in their own voice with the ultimate goal of becoming and fostering a strong foundation of support for those forced to remain oppressed into silence.

When starting our business, we created a slogan: “How Are You?” A creative onomatopoeia, our slogan is imitative of the “Hallyu” Wave, the terminology coined to mark the historical journey of Korean artistic economy becoming worldwide. Our slogan is not only used to honor the great Hallyu Wave but also to represent the energy to which our business operates. We wish to show our followers that we care first and foremost about them and what we can do to assist them. Because we recognize that individuals are finding our business everyday and whether they are new to K-Pop or in need of support, we want to welcome them to our business operations with a therapeutic and nostalgic slogan and show that we are a safe place to be in.

As K-Pop fans, there is a universal saying we strongly believe in: “you find K-Pop when you need it the most.” This meaning may be mundane to those outside of the “Hallyu Wave” but holds a deep and beautiful meaning. When stated, it is a reminder that the majority of K-Pop fans found a safe place within K-Pop to escape from life hardships. Whether it be a toxic home environment or feeling alone and misunderstood, the majority of us turn to this genre of music because it provides a environment for positive change to take place. However, even with this escape, we still feel the burning affects of societal issues and pressures, such as hate crimes and cyberbullying. K-Pop For Peace recognizes that with the life lessons learned from our idols and our own life experiences, we are able to utilize our voices to help those in need who we are connected through shared or similar life experiences. Though there is a universal love of K-Pop, I and many others have experienced racism, cyberbullying, and rejection. Over the years as K-Pop has grown and the definition of being “a real K-pop stan” has become misconstrued, we are seeing more societal-influenced negative behavior and less of positive behavior. Since June 2020, there has been a detrimental change in the parasocial relationships between idols and their fans, as well as between fans of different fanbases. In combat to this unfortunate change, our business along with others, work towards addressing these concerns in our K-Pop community by holding panel discussions and creating fun projects for K-Pop fans.

With a goal of bringing awareness and support to marginalized populations, K-Pop For Peace regularly conduct research on a variety of social injustice concerns around the world, and strives to formulate an initiative garnered to bringing awareness to our viewers. With our social work ethics, we use an ecological systems theoretical approach of a marginalized population and analyze how we can assist them while implementing a trauma-informed care mindset. One signature initiatives that we host every year is our ” Break The Silence” series. This mental health-based initiative documents the lives of several K-Pop fans who are in their “mental health journey.” Based off of my own mental health journey and the creation of K-Pop For Peace, the “Break The Silence” series provides the opportunity for K-Pop fans to not only discuss how their favorite idols have positively impacted their mental health, but also provides these same fans with the chance to provide that same impact to another K-Pop fan and an opportunity for these fans to make progressive steps in their own journey. To further advocate for mental health, we are in a collaborative partnership for a program entitled “The BangTan Strong Project,” which utilizes the songs of K-Pop Boy Band BTS to help promote a more holistically healthy lifestyle for their fanbase.

Monthly, K-Pop For Peace works with international figureheads on strategies for addressing international social injustice and ensuring that all proceeds are donated to credible sources. In our public speeches, we ensure that our listeners understand that we work universally because the K-Pop fanbase demographic spans across cities, states, and continents. As a incoming K-Pop fan, we are told that our whole fandom is not only a safe-place but our family; we are also taught from our idols to look outside of ourselves and to think of those less fortunate. At K-Pop For Peace, we see the beauty within our fellow fans, our idols, our communities, our world. K-Pop For Peace is an organization that uses the power in our voice to demand justice for marginalized populations that are all connected to our business and our K-Pop community in some way. Whether it be a marginalized population that we ourselves are in or a marginalized population that a random fan is in who is struggling with the injustice facing them and their population, K-Pop For Peace strives to address these concerns.

Though we are small, K-Pop For Peace doesn’t shy away from using our voice to bring change to our communities and world. The most beautiful thing about K-Pop For Peace as it’s founder, is that our business doesn’t want to become the “next big K-Pop business” nor do we want to be recognized by our favorite Korean artists, all we want is to leave a legacy of change. We take the simple pleasure in a small successful fundraiser or even gaining a new follower, because we know that even if we touch one individual’s beautiful soul, they will carry our teachings and that newly sparked power to impact others. Similar to how our beautiful Hallyu Wave grew, we wish to see that beautiful wave increase in the form of positive, uplifting power and peace around the world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Within the realm of K-Pop, I am the founder of K-Pop For Peace, which remains my primary business. However, I am also the owner of a K-Pop and Anime themed merch shop and the Co-Founder of The Purple Strings. I recently have accepted the position of a ghostwriter for an upcoming media company. And outside of K-Pop, I am a Case Manager for Homeless Veterans. Whether I am working in or outside of the K-Pop realm, I am practicing social work, something that I am very passionate about.

Getting to this point in my career honestly came as of this year after completing my Masters degree, which is 3 years since the founding of K-Pop For Peace. I say this because I want readers to understand that it does take time to build your business and that it’s ok. I started our business with no knowledge on how to run a business outside of what I had seen in educational-based clubs. I had no knowledge of how to make amazing educational resources and limited knowledge on how K-Pop businesses worked with all of the restrictions, both industry-mandated and fan-mandated. So, I asked for help on these things and along the way I was able to get support. The key for me getting this support was first having a speech prepared on what I wanted people to know about my business like our mission statement and initiatives we had, and secondly recognizing that every rejection isn’t an automatic failure but rather an opportunity to analyze the rejection, process how you can move forward so that you continuously work towards your dream. This is something that a lot of our idols have mentioned to us about their career in the industry; their stories are motivationally-influenced trail of breadcrumbs for myself and others who strive to have our dream careers.

Third, I had to recognize that it was ok to ask for help and to be accepting of the amount of help you may receive. Sometimes, you can get a full presentation on how something works or you can get a simple hint at looking at videos, and sometimes, no help at all…. regardless of the situation, be accepting of it, analyze yourself and the situation, and determine how to move forward. As a business owner, we have to keep a clear mind and heart for situations that may rattle us….I adopted this model because I strongly believe that the energy that you put out is the energy you receive back internally. Instead of stewing in negative feelings, analyze the whole situation and determine how to move forward. You are your biggest supporter of yourself and your goals. You know the worth of your business, let your foundational roots and the story behind your business be your motivation to keep going through all obstacles.

It will be hard along the way and you may need a break, and that is ok. A lot of brands do need a break, but we also encourage you to think about why you wanted that business in the first place. When I tell the story of how K-Pop For Peace was created, I am quite open and honest. In late November 2019, I experienced a trauma which lead to a severe mental health decline. During my recovery process, I was supported by friends and family, however, I still couldn’t shake the negative thoughts. When I recognized I needed a break from “everyday life”, I took to social media to seek comfort in my favorite thing: K-Pop. However, this was at the time at the Burning Sun Scandal in Korea began to circulate within the US. As a result, I found more negative commentary about the K-pop industry, K-Pop idols and fans included. I remember “Epiphany” by Jin of BTS playing while wondering why there was so much hate in this world and wishing there was a way that I could show the world the true impact of being a K-Pop fan, how our idols influence us to be a positive impact in the world, the amazing things that are achieved in our world of K-Pop, and wishing I could bring more peace in my world. While I thought this and Epiphany played, I had an epiphany of my own; In my mind, there were flashes of pastel colors and the words “K-Pop For Peace.” After a week of these images floating in my head, I took a leap of faith, started promoting and recruiting for team members. With faith, the influence of our idols and the strong dedication to world peace, K-Pop For Peace launched in January 2020 with our first initiative addressing Human Trafficking.

That beginning story was the foundation, the horn at the beginning of a race, for myself and my business. When I needed to take time away from our business, I took the time to not only finish my education but to take a step back and analyze my business. I took the time to redesign everything, provide clarity or structure on an initiative, among other things. However through it all, I still reminded myself of our story, my story, the feelings my team and I have for this brand, the impact we have made, both seen and unseen. Because even with it being a little over 3 years of launching, we still want to be the voice of power for those who need someone in the corner, just like ourselves and many others needed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One the first full day after her arrival, I would definitely take my best friend first to a Wreck Room session to release some pent up energy, then I would take her to dinner at our local K-Pot restaurant. On the second and third day, we would spend a day at home because we are both home bodies, who love Korean snacks, pizza, crafting and watching True Crime documentaries. On the fourth day, we would travel to all the local K-Pop shops and travel to nearby cities for the latest and cutest merch items, with grabbing snacks from O-Mart and finding a random pho restaurant to try. On the last couple of days, her and I would simply hang out and spend time together. We like to spend the last few days together by having in-depth conversations about life and watching comedy television. On her last day, we would say our goodbyes at the airport while crying (very dramatic)…. and then text each other, as soon as she lands at her hometown airport. Haha!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
K-Pop For Peace has received so much support since 2019 and we always wish to honor them.

First, I must thank our followers. Thank you for your continued support. Every action of support that you have shown us has been forever categorized in our hearts. You continue to inspire us to keep going in our business. I hope we can continue to make you proud and give you the power and strength you need to overcome every hardship you are facing.

Second, I must thank my team: Gemini, Jalia. and Jessica, Your love and dedication to our business is never taken for granted or overlooked. You all have inspired me and amazed me each year with the new levels in life you are achieving. You have both given me the same safe place that we give our followers whenever I am in need. From late nights packaging event freebies, taking time from your education, and recording the 6th attempt of a 1 hour podcast, you all have gone above the call of duty so much. In the few years we have known each other, I know I have found forever sisters in you three. I am always manifesting your happiness and success in everything you do. I celebrate every update in your lives. Continue to exude those auras of “Black Girl and Asian Girl Magic” , my sisters.

Third, to Ajah, my best friend, my soulmate, and merch shop partner. You have been a strong asset in my growth as a K-Pop fan and as an African American woman in the US. You have been my shoulder to cry on when I wanted to give up on myself and my business. You provided me with ideas, tough love, and even spent hours staying up late with me while I worked on finishing my degree and planning ideas for K-Pop For Peace. Thank you for everything you have done, both spoken and unspoken.

To Andi, Abraham, Alyssa, The Smead Family, Elizabeth, Jasmine, Jessica, Robin, Sage, Sharon: Thank you for your continued support. You have provided me feedback on ideas and have been instrumental in the positive motivation I need to keep going with my business. You all provide me with reinforcement of how beautiful of a safe place K-Pop can be when you find people who are wholesome and who represent the love our idols exude so well for themselves and each other.

To my parents, there is so much to say and not enough words to express my gratitude. You helped shape me into the woman I am today, in my professional and personal life. Every life lesson you have taught me has helped me get to where I am now. To my grandmother the social worker, thank you for instilling that social work heart of gold in me because it always remains a foundation of guidance when addressing social injustice around the world. To my little brothers, thank you for listening to my business proposals, taking the time to invest into how it is going, and reminding me of how important it is to provide a safe environment for children all around the world.

To Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc: Thank you to all my Sorors, both known and unknown, present and past. I am forever grateful and honored to be a member of an prestigious organization of women with a long legacy of social action. I thank you so very much for instilling into me that “There Is Power In Our Voice.”

To Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Inc: Thank you to all of my fellow brothers. You provided me with the first in-depth opportunities of how to be of service. Though I have been long graduated, I will continue to be of service to my community, service to our fraternity and service to our nation and the world.

To K-Pop Boy Band BTS: Thank you for being the weight on the tipping scale to push me into becoming who I was designed to be. Your messages of love and support has comforted me on hard days. Your actions of community service has impacted myself and others to become an additional support for our world. Your transparency in your artistry gave me the chance to really analyze myself and give me the encouragement I needed to learn, respect and speak myself. You have all played a pivotal part in who I am today and I am grateful for the journey I began in 2018 when I re-entered the K-Pop world after discovering your group.

To my fellow K-Pop fans who are just now discovering K-Pop For Peace, thank you for reading this article and learning more about our business. We hope you are doing well and are sending you positive vibes.

Thank you ShoutOut DFW for this opportunity. I am forever grateful!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kpopforpeace/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/k-pop-for-peace/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kpopforpeace

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kpopforpeace/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@k-popforpeaceinc.3913

Other: LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/kpopforpeace

Image Credits
Headshot: True Esseence Photography K-Pop For Peace Event Images: Mya Selby

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