Darius Smith, A.K.A Victoryforu
A British Blogger, Dancer, and Video Creator who also loves to inspire young people to be the best version of themselves. From a young age, Darius has been passionate about being creative and voicing his passions, opinions, and injustices. At just 9 years old, he danced in front of 8,000 people in Slovakia and his parents believed in his talents 100%. His parents have both come from creative industries that have influenced how he has been nurtured. When he came to his parents about the inspirational blog and brand idea, ‘Victoryforu,’ they rightfully challenged his plan. Just like any business plan, they questioned his idea. This stimulated Darius’ business mind and his passion to create something that could help others. After an evening of conversations and prayer, Victoryforu was founded on 5th February 2011. After self-publishing 2 poetry books at 13 years old, Victoryforu went from strength to strength in his pursuit to inspire all young people to be the best version of themselves. His blog led to his love and interest in social media. He uses it to inspire, display his work, to speak about injustice, and to help others. Darius got involved in local politics whilst still being in secondary school, he spent a few years on the Bicester Youth Council. This helped him to discover his love for public speaking, event planning, and fundraising. In subsequent years, he planned two charity dance showcases raising money for Children in Need and Project Trust.
Amongst his other passions, he is now a trustee for Oxfordshire Youth. This makes him the youngest that the charity has ever had and the only person of colour on the board. He is also the chair for the Oxfordshire Youth Awards and is one of the hosts of the Oxfordshire Youth Podcast. After dancing on big stages of over 100,000 and dancing abroad at the Monaco Yacht Show and the Oscars pre-gifting lounges, on 18th January 2020, he performed on BBC One’s ‘The Greatest Dancer’ with his Dad, DJG. Presenter Alesha Dixon and Dance Captains, Oti Mabuse, Matthew Morrison, Cheryl, and Todrick Hall all went on stage and danced with them which is a series first for any act. Victoryforu has also been working with Oxford Fashion Studio (Formerly Oxford Fashion Week) since 2016. He has interviewed fashion designers backstage at London Fashion Week. He worked with AOFM Pro for London Fashion Week Men’s and had the chance to film an interview with Christopher Raeburn. Victoryforu was asked to style models at a blogger's presentation on 16th October 2016. Victoryforu is establishing his multifaceted brand as one that has youth, inspiration, creativity, and faith at its heart. He will continue to find new ways to grow his brand to help others to be victorious every day.
So, below I asked Darius questions to get to know him more.
Tell me about yourself
"My name is Darius Smith, also known as Victoryforu. I am a dancer, writer, content creator, and aspiring entrepreneur who has had the opportunity to perform in Monaco, Los Angeles, and on BBC One's The Greatest Dancer."
Walk me through the step-by-step process that you went through to get to where you are today.
"At just 9 years old, I danced in front of 8,000 people in Slovakia and my parents believed in my talents 100%. They have both come from creative industries that have influenced how I have been nurtured. When I came to my parents about the inspirational blog and brand idea, ‘Victoryforu,’ they rightfully challenged my plan. Just like any business plan, they questioned my idea. This stimulated my business mind and my passion to create something that could help others. Whilst all of this was going on I was being severely bullied in school, from the ages of 7-15, I went through a very dark depression that birthed anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. I continued to push through despite being bullied everywhere, I self-published two poetry books at age 13. After finishing school, I have the opportunity to attend various fashion events which sparked a deeper love for fashion and business. I am now working to set up a business amongst many other things that I am passionate about."
Do you have any specific goals for the rest of this year?
"My specific goal for this year is to continue to walk in my authenticity and also start up a business."
If a kid walked up to asking for your advice and you only had a few minutes to give ‘em your best tip, what would it be?
"I would tell any young child to be themselves and unapologetically. There are too many people living in their stereotypes and never going beyond that, I would tell every child to be the best version of themselves, not a mediocre version of someone else."
"If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?"
"I would probably be a Mahogany tree, you find them in Jamaica, they are extremely rare and are meant to be protected. They are tall, dark, strong, fruitful, and expensive."
Please follow me on social media, especially Instagram to keep up to date with an upcoming Magazine feature and my work on Collective Conversationz, Oxford's Most Diverse Community Magazine. Also, Subscribe to my Youtube channel for fun and inspirational content.
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Listen more about Darius and his creative projects on the Black Creative Handbook hosted by Kassandra Lauren Gordon: