YouTube As a Form of Therapy
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of Black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 10/25/19
In 2007, after a riot broke out in Guinea, criminals attacked Oumou Diallo’s home. Shots were fired, but luckily no one was injured and help came just in time. The attempted robbery led Oumou's father to quickly get his family out of the country. And just like that, within that week, she left her native land without saying goodbye to friends or relatives.
When Oumou came to America, she settled in Chicago and later moved to Detroit when her mother moved back to Guinea. She was 19 years old when her mother left, which gave her room to be more self-sufficient and responsible.
She married the love of her life in her early 20’s and birthed a baby boy shortly after.
With an outgoing personality and an energy that never seems to run out, Oumou decided to launch her YouTube Channel “Mingle with Dimplez” in 2016. “I needed to put this energy towards something,” said the YouTuber.
Although she was one of the first YouTubers in the Guinean community, she attracted viewers who were genuinely interested in the content she shared.
Not everyone is comfortable sharing their experiences, let alone publicize it. But Oumou is a natural. As soon as she starts recording, she is an open book.
There is no rehearsal. No pretending. She goes with the “what you see is what you get” approach. When she starts recording, she talks about whatever comes to mind.
She does makeup tutorials, provides hair tips, talks about married life and the trips she goes on with her family. When viewers tune in to her channel, she wants them to forget about whatever they're facing in their lives and have a good time.
Her channel has grown to over 1K subscribers. Though people tune in to her channel as an escape from their reality, her channel has become her form of therapy.
“Mingle with Dimplez” is a place where she expresses herself freely, and hopes that people can learn from her experiences. She isn't afraid to be vulnerable in front of the camera, because it'll hurt more if she keeps her emotions trapped in.
Although she loves being in front of the camera and inviting the public into her private life, she admits that social media can be exhausting. From the pressure of getting likes and subscribers to prove popularity, to seeing others live the millionaire lifestyle, social media can make someone feel like they're not enough or doing enough.
But Oumou has found medicine for her wound—the unfollow button. Recently, she unfollowed many celebrities. “You can't control what others post, but you can control who you decide to follow,” she said.
Aissata Diallo, Oumou’s sister from another mother says, “Oumou is one of the most genuine and resilient people I know. One of her greatest attributes is her ability to maintain a smile and giggle when the weight of the world is on her shoulders. I’m lucky to share this lifetime with her because I know I have a true friend who would support me and be honest even when I don’t want to hear it.”
For years, Oumou had flashbacks about the incident that caused her family to flee from Guinea. The trauma she experienced kept her from visiting Guinea for a decade. This year, after 12 years, Oumou went back to Guinea with her husband and son.
Some are introverts. Others are extroverts. The world doesn't need everyone to be the same. Oumou found a way to do what feels natural to her and connect with people. She’s using YouTube as a form of therapy for herself and others. In the near future, she wants to host a Guinean Women’s Brunch, where Guinean bloggers, YouTubers, and creatives can connect and share their expertise. She also wants to go back and help the less fortunate in Guinea.
The YouTuber has in-depth and exclusive content underway and urges everyone to subscribe to her channel NOW!
Welcome to Oumou’s World
“I do things when I feel like it. I don’t let people define my timing.”
Oumou loves Indian movies. Her favorite Indian movie is Khabi kushi khabi kham. She watched it over 20 times.
Oumou took a break from school before she got married because she didn’t know exactly what she wanted to study. She went back to school when her son (Elhadj) was 4 years old. At the moment, she is studying International Business and Marketing at Georgia State.
“I’d rather gradual success because you appreciate it more when you worked hard for it.”
Oumou had Postpartum Depression after giving birth to her son. She says that some signs of postpartum are: mood swings, sadness (e.g. having a baby and not being able to celebrate). Sometimes, when the baby cried, she would leave him for a moment to go outside and cry. Luckily, she had her husband by her side to help her get through it.
“The advice I have for my son is to always treat others like the way he will want to be treated. To remember that he is a king, he is smart, he is handsome and he is loved! To never let anyone tell him otherwise and make him feel less. I want him to take his religion and culture seriously but to never mix them up. To always stand up for what he believes in even if the whole world will say otherwise and to fight for everything he believes in as well.”-Oumou Diallo
In the video below, Oumou talks about her experience bringing her child into this world. Watch the video and SUBSCRIBE!
Connect with Oumou:
Facebook: Oumou PrettyDimplez Diallo
Instagram: @minglewithdimplez
Email: minglewithdimplez@gmail.com
YouTube: Mingle with Dimplez
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