🧠 “Uncle Energy & Real Talk with Forrest Givens”
- Nov 14, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
💬 Meet Uncle Forrest — The Creative With a Heart for Our Sugars
Hey sugars! 💕 Y’all know I love when we bring a fresh face to the purple table — and this week, Auntie M sat down with Uncle Forrest Givens, a true DMV creative. He’s a photographer, videographer, designer, and middle school teacher (yes, he really does it all 👏🏾).
From growing up in every corner of D.C. to teaching the next generation of storytellers, Forrest is proof that you can turn childhood imagination into a full-blown career.
“I used to watch cartoons and imagine my own universe. I started world-building when I was seven,” he said.
🎨 From Cartoon Dreams to Creative Realities
Forrest’s creative story didn’t start with fancy equipment — it started with curiosity. He was that kid who dreamed up characters in his head and saw the world in color.
Now? He’s shaping minds in his digital storytelling class and helping kids see that being “different” is actually the secret sauce.
“Everybody’s not gonna understand you — and that’s okay,” Forrest shared. “Don’t expect people to be like you. That’ll save you energy and help you take your power back.” 💪🏾
💖 Real Talk: Black & Brown Girls, You’re the Blueprint
When asked what he wishes more girls knew, Forrest dropped a gem that needs to be on your mirror ASAP:
“Everybody wants to be you. Everybody wants your energy and your essence. When you can truly accept how powerful you are, everything starts to make sense.”
Mic. Dropped. 🎤
It’s that confidence for me. And Simi’s pro tip? Repeat affirmations out loud until they become your truth.
🧘🏾♀️ Relearning, Healing & Sitting With the Hard Stuff
Forrest also opened up about the lessons he’s had to unlearn. Growing up, he played the “peacemaker” — always trying to make everyone happy. But adulthood taught him something new:
“I don’t have to please everybody. I’m not here to make people feel good. I can do that, but it’s not my job.”
That’s a word, sugars. Sometimes the real growth comes from sitting in the discomfort, figuring out why something hurts, and rewriting your own story.
💡 When Social Media Isn’t Real (and You Can Tell)
You know we had to go there 😏 — because social media isn’t always what it seems. Forrest broke it down like this:
“Social media is a game. Everyone’s playing it, trying to win something different. Just remember — what you see isn’t always real.”
Simi’s advice? Keep your peace, turn off those location settings, and remember: comparison is a trap you don’t need to fall into. 💅🏾
🚩 Red Flags 101: When He’s Just Not That Into You
We had to end on a little relationship tea ☕️ (you know how we do). When Auntie M asked how to spot if a guy isn’t into you, Forrest kept it simple:
“If he’s not communicating or putting in effort — he’s not that into you. Period.”
No decoding. No guessing. Just facts.
🫖 Final Sip
Between his creative grind, his wise words, and his heart for the next generation, Uncle Forrest reminded us that being authentic — even when the world doesn’t get you — is the real glow-up. ✨
So, sugars, stay curious, stay grounded, and stay true to the magic that’s you.
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