Juneteenth: Interview with Yamazonia

Today is Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. We honor this important day with Yamazonia (Seven), leader of Five Fifths — formerly known in WoW as a guild called Black Mafia that has since blossomed into a full-blown nonprofit organization under her leadership with an IRL gaming lounge in the works.

Learn about Five Fifths, ethical leadership of the head and the heart, growth, forgiveness, and how best to get involved in the cause.

Table of Contents

“Black gamers, especially in a space like World of Warcraft, are often overlooked and made to feel like outsiders in a game we love just as much as anyone else. Our community may not be the largest but our impact is surely felt. Five Fifths stands ten toes down to ensure our presence is irrevocable because we said so and that's all there is to it.”

Q-1: Hi Yamazonia! It’s been a while since our last interview with you back in 2023 when Five-Fifths was called Black Mafia. You’ve transformed what was once a WoW guild for black gamers into a full-blown non-profit organization! What has this journey been like for you in stepping foot into the non-profit space, leadership, and gaining support?

Yamazonia (Seven): Hey! Yes, so much has happened since that first interview. This journey has been everything: challenging, reflective, transformative, and ever-so-personal on the deepest scale. What I started as a WoW guild to give Black gamers a space just for us to feel and be seen has evolved into a nonprofit that is now opening a physical gaming lounge. The leaps from there to here have not been easy. I had to teach myself everything from how to build a website, write grants, structure both businesses, run operations, market, fundraise, and manage a diverse team. I've failed, burned myself out, fell short, and even quit a few times but all of that has helped me grow into my role as a community leader, a business owner, and more importantly, a Black woman on this front. Of course I have support from a few powerful connections but I also had to push through the majority of it alone. RaiderIO's spotlight article on us back in 2023 gave me the first real sense that this could be bigger than a hobby—that someone else saw the vision and allowed me to speak my picture. The highlight lit a fire in me that I could take this and myself seriously. I am still building as I go along but I have a lot more clarity, confidence, and community.



Q-2: For anyone who may be unfamiliar with the Three-Fifths Compromise of 1787, do you mind informing our readers more about what you’re communicating with the meaning of the name Five Fifths?

Yamazonia: Of course! The name Five Fifths is a direct reference to the Three-Fifths Compromise of 1787 where Black people were legally considered to be only three-fifths of a person. It was an immensely dehumanizing clause written into the very foundation of this country. Five Fifths resonated within me as I chose to take ownership of this narrative stating clearly and unapologetically that we are here and we are whole. The name exudes visibility, value, and validation. Black gamers, especially in a space like World of Warcraft, are often overlooked and made to feel like outsiders in a game we love just as much as anyone else. Our community may not be the largest but our impact is surely felt. Five Fifths stands ten toes down to ensure our presence is irrevocable because we said so and that's all there is to it.

“This year has been a turning point. It is no longer a dream playing on repeat in my head. I'm finally in a real position to benefit from gaming and that is not something I take lightly. Not many people can say they've turned their passion into a tangible business that changes lives.”

Q-3: You’ve mentioned that you’re opening a gaming lounge. What has that process been like for you so far? What challenges are you navigating in today’s economy?

Yamazonia: Yes! I am opening a gaming lounge and honestly, the process has been intense. It's been made easier by the foundation I've built through nonprofit work. Over the past few years, I've learned how to secure community support, navigate internal and external conflicts, how to shake hands and kiss babies properly, and lead with both structure and purpose. So, while launching a cafe from scratch would have been a heavier lift, I came into this chapter with momentum.

Of course, the economy today is not kind to dreamers and creators in the slightest. Costs are high, timelines shift, and being a young Black woman in this space means I've had to be assertive in ways that don't always feel soft and feminine but I've learned how to balance that. I lead with presence. I no longer move out of my essence. I do things on my own time and I stay grounded in who I am and let that guide my authority.

This year has been a turning point. It is no longer a dream playing on repeat in my head. I'm finally in a real position to benefit from gaming and that is not something I take lightly. Not many people can say they've turned their passion into a tangible business that changes lives.



One of the parts I am most excited for is launching an esports team under Five Fifths. I'll be paying players real salaries to do what they love. There are not many opportunities like this for Black and brown gamers or gender minorities, especially those with responsibilities at home. I am not just building a lounge. I am building a future—a cultural hub where we craft creativity, competition, and community. My dream is to see Five Fifths become a nationwide movement that's powerful, profitable, and healing.





Q-4: Speaking of economy, let’s talk about other external factors. What has it been like as a Black woman navigating the current political climate in the U.S.?

Yamazonia: Navigating the current political climate as a Black woman in business? It's layered. Like the majority of us, I mind my business and handle what's in front of me because truthfully, we've done our part. Black women have shown up for every cause; for women, for immigrants, for LGBTQ+ communities, for everyone. We've always been on the right side of history but when it's time for people to show up for us, we are ALWAYS fighting alone. So now I focus on what I can control. If something happens in front of me, I will always step in but on the grand scale? I am no longer exhausting myself for movements that do not protect us and I don't think other Black women should either. This doesn't mean I am indifferent to what's going on but it does mean I am intentional. I've shifted my energy into building something grand for my people. That's my protest. That's my contribution.

There's an imbalance across the board, even with World of Warcraft. Someone can be openly racist and homophobic, and the conversation will only center the homophobia while completely ignoring the anti-Blackness. It happens every time and it's a reminder that Black voices, even in so-called progressive spaces, are still disposable unless we create our own.

There are plenty of people willing to donate and as well as grants and programs out there if you're willing to do the work. My challenge has been more about inflation and cost, not access. Still, I am not naive. I understand my place in this world when I walk into certain rooms but I am not asking for permission. I am building regardless.

“My community knows where the line is and also knows that line does not move for anyone. Letting one person slide opens the door for chaos and I refuse to cultivate another space where people have to heal from.”

Q-5: How has Warcraft been a sanctuary amidst the VUCA environment of the business world? How have you found and fostered a supportive community?

Yamazonia: Warcraft has always been THE game for me. Coming from a chaotic world straight into a chaotic game made me believe I had mental health issues. If I play solo, it is always a positive experience. HOWEVER, I have to brace for impact as soon as I engage in an activity that requires the public community. Fostering this has not been an easy feat. People tend to bring their real life biases into games. Fantasy games. Fantasy games where you can play as a talking cow that can cast magical spells and cook and eat beef dishes. Hello??? BEEF DISHES??? I will forever be confused about that, but racism, homophobia, and misogyny are all inherent in these online spaces and to combat that, I set non-negotiable boundaries. No personal attacks, no slurs, no phobias, no public fighting, NOTHING. My community knows where the line is and also knows that line does not move for anyone. Letting one person slide opens the door for chaos and I refuse to cultivate another space where people have to heal from.

That said, we're not a hivemind. We have different opinions on everything. Politics, religion, relationships, everything and that's okay. We even host roundtable discussions and debates, but some topics do get debarred, and it's all contained in a specific channel and moderated. We can challenge each other without tearing each other down. We bond over shared trauma and values and we all understand that the community is bigger than one individual. We argue, we joke, we laugh and we definitely get into it sometimes but we always come back to respect, unity, and keeping it safe for everyone because we know what it's like out there. We deal with enough as is.



Q-6: What are some pearls of wisdom that you can share when it comes to creating supportive communities both inside and outside of gaming?

Yamazonia: First and very foremost, you have to understand exactly what you want, and more importantly, what you don't want. Leadership is very lonely; not because you don't have people around you, but because it changes how people see you. People will want the best version of you and the proximity to your light but can't handle the heat that comes with your light. Set your boundaries and stand on them with every fiber of your being. The right people will respect them and you. The wrong ones? Leave them right where they had messed up in real time.

Leading anything like a guild, a business, or a community is a very lonely experience. You have to be comfortable becoming the villain in people's stories. As your vision sharpens and your standards rise, you start to notice who's truly aligned. Most will be inspired, but others will become intimidated and resentful. Initial friends make for great enemies. It will always be the people you started with. Friends, collaborators, even your supporters can shift on you the moment they realize you're not as accessible, controllable, or dependent as you once were. Internalize nothing. Release people and situations immediately. Do not force what no longer fits. Choose your mission over misplaced loyalty. Not every loss is a loss. Watch your friends, you can always handle an enemy.

“Running a guild, a nonprofit, and now opening a gaming lounge isn't easy as I've come to learn that overworking yourself is a huge sign of a flawed business model. I work smarter, not harder and I always protect my peace.”

Q-7: Running a guild, a non-profit organization, and opening a gaming lounge is a hell of a load to carry on a daily basis. How do you balance your priorities and practice self-care amidst all the responsibilities you shoulder?

Yamazonia: Running a guild, a nonprofit, and now opening a gaming lounge isn't easy as I've come to learn that overworking yourself is a huge sign of a flawed business model. I work smarter, not harder and I always protect my peace. I don't operate on a traditional 9-5 but I do keep a structured schedule. I prioritize tasks and I give myself about 8 hours a day, sometimes more, sometimes a lot less but when that time is up, I clock out mentally and emotionally. I don't break that boundary.

I have one full day a week that's completely mine. Sundays are my self-care days. I don't answer any calls. I don't respond to messages or emails. I do what I want, how I want, and when I am ready. I take myself out and I sometimes let others take me out if they have qualities I look for in a partner. I speak love and life into myself and I give myself plenty of space and grace. That's how I recharge and reset my energy. It's how I keep from lashing out and burning out.



Q-8: How is Five Fifths celebrating Juneteenth?

Yamazonia: For Juneteenth, we're teaming up with our local ShopRite to host a grocery-themed Scavenger hunt. I created riddles tied to everyday items like eggs. cheese. and various proteins. It's fun, challenging and no phones allowed! Once participants collect everything, they'll receive a free bag of groceries to take home. My hope is that this ties gaming to wellness and food access.

I always ensure my events are cost conscious and community focused. Most are completely free, and the majority of attendees always leave with something like groceries, gift cards, gaming consoles, even free hotel stays. All of this has been possible due to the amazing support we get from our local community and retailers like Walmart, Costco, Trader Joe's, Best Buy, and various others. They've donated goods and supported our grant efforts. Networking really does open more doors than any degree ever could.

“In my community, we don't waste time dragging people for old mistakes if they've shown real change. Racism and harm are never okay but if someone has shifted, we allow space for that. Accept it, own it, and continue to grow from it while moving forward. You are not your past if you're actively choosing better in the present.”

Q-9: For anyone looking to support Five-Fifths, what are some ways that we can get involved?

Yamazonia: The primary routes always have the most impact! Everything we do has a price tag attached to it. Donating money or goods, sponsoring a gamer or event, volunteering your time or skills, or simply amplifying our mission by sharing our story on social media and telling people we exist. Visibility is just as valuable.

On a deeper level; I've noticed quite a few people who love to support us privately, but not publicly in fear of backlash from the general community in World of Warcraft. You all have got to forgive yourselves. Maybe you said or did things in the past that don't align with who you are today. In my community, we don't waste time dragging people for old mistakes if they've shown real change. Racism and harm are never okay but if someone has shifted, we allow space for that. Accept it, own it, and continue to grow from it while moving forward. You are not your past if you're actively choosing better in the present.

So if you're watching from the sidelines wondering how to show up, start by supporting publicly and forgiving yourself privately.



Q-10: Let’s wrap up with a personal question. What are your favorite things about WoW or that you are hoping to see implemented into Warcraft in the near future? Are you still out there multi-classing different specs and roles? Shotcalling? Raid leading?

Yamazonia: I've since taken a step back from leading the charge in Warcraft. I've been more behind the scenes just vibing with the community, helping keep the energy grounded and letting others shine in leadership roles. I still raid and push keys though. I recently timed all +15s using an Xbox controller, which I know is wild to some people but it works for me!

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Links

• Find Yamazonia on Raider.IO
  
• Follow Yamazonia on Twitch
  
• Follow Yamazonia on X
  
• Follow Yamazonia on Instagram
  
  
• Learn more about Five Fifths
  
• Support Five Fifths
  
• Find Five Fifths on Raider.IO
  
• Follow Five Fifths on X
  
• Follow Five Fifths on Instagram