Profiles of Tenacity: Semirah Richards

Semirah Richards is a fourth-year Public Relations major with a certificate in music business from Atlanta, Georgia. Richards serves as secretary of Caribbean Student Association, is a member of Changing Health Attitudes and Actions to Recreate Girls (CHAARG), and Media and Entertainment Business Society.

Read her Q/A below.

Why did you choose your major?

When I was younger, I loved writing and all things creative, especially music and drama. I always knew I wanted to be involved in the entertainment industry in some capacity. However, I’m also a very practical person, and as an introvert, I prefer building the strategy rather than being the center of attention. Public Relations and my Music Business Certificate felt like the absolute best ways for me to merge those two sides of myself—allowing me to stay close to the creative work I love while applying a highly practical, strategic skill set.

What does tenacity mean to you?

To me, tenacity is the most active form of perseverance. It’s acknowledging that life throws incredibly tough things your way, but finding the courage to show up and do the work anyway. It’s not about never feeling overwhelmed; it’s about pushing past the difficult moments and refusing to let circumstances dictate your outcome.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to other Grady students?

Don’t be afraid to pivot and try things just because you are curious about them. If an organization or a role doesn’t work out the way you planned, that is perfectly fine—it is just data that helps you refine your long-term goals. I am the type of person who wants to experience everything at least once, and giving myself the permission to explore different facets of the industry without the pressure of being perfect is exactly how I figured out my next steps.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life?

My family has definitely had the biggest impact on my life. The dynamic I grew up in really pushed me to be independent from a young age and taught me how to advocate for myself. Seeing the realities of life early on gave me the drive to pursue a career that I am genuinely passionate about, and it instilled the work ethic I need to actually make it happen in the entertainment industry.

What has been your biggest accomplishment in the past year?

Honestly, my biggest accomplishment has been my ability to successfully manage and execute the sheer volume of work on my plate this year. Between my Integrated ADPR capstone for the Athens YMCA and my Music Business capstone where I write artist bios and press releases, I’ve had to operate at maximum capacity. Add in an internship focused on catalog research and marketing, a challenging music production class, and my role as secretary for the Caribbean Student Association, and it’s been a heavy load to juggle. But successfully navigating this semester has proven to me that I have the exact stamina and drive I need for my next chapter after graduation.

What is your favorite place on campus and why?

My favorite place is definitely the Tate Student Center. With my schedule constantly pulling me between my capstone projects, my internship, and e-board duties, I really value those pockets of downtime. Tate is the perfect central hub to sink into one of the lounge chairs, take a breather between classes, and just soak in the vibrant campus energy—plus, you can almost always count on a great student event going on.

What advice would you give to your future self?

Give yourself grace. You have spent the last few years operating at maximum capacity to get to this point. As you transition into this next chapter, remember that you don’t always have to run at full speed to be successful. Allow yourself the room to breathe, grow, and learn without self-judgment.

Editor: Anyi Morfaw, abm40431@uga.edu