Producer, Designer, Author
What are you most passionate about and what drives you?
What’s important to me is that I live my life to the fullest, share it with the people I love, and leave a legacy that positively impacts all. I’m most passionate about sharing my gifts, talents and empowering others to live their dreams NOW. My life is driven by my purpose, experiences and my faith. Sometimes it takes harsh realities to get our attention and put us back on our soul’s journey. But if we pay attention to the early signs, we won’t as Oprah says; “get the brick”. I am inspired to live a life filled with passion and drive because who I am is the possibilities of unconditional love, Creativity and Empowerment!
What have been your personal challenges and how have they defined you?
At the age of 9 my mother gave me my first Barbie Doll and I designed and made my Barbie everything. I gave my mother a cardboard runway fashion show. After the show, I told my mother, one day I would do a BIG Show. She patted me on the head and said sure you will child. Fast forward; In 2010, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The doctors were talking about all the procedures, tests, the difference between a lumpectomy vs mastectomy, and then chemo. It was frightening. All I could think about was how do I tell my children and why me? Sitting in my chemo chair the answer to My, “why me” came when I asked the question; What will I do with the rest of my life? (For by this time, I believed I would survive) In that moment, my 9 years old self whispered in my ear; remember you said you we’re going to do that BIG Show? After learning about the desperate need to support homeless women with cancer, my aha moment came when I realized I could take something as beautiful as fashion to support something as ugly as cancer and just like that, 47 years later I’d reconnected with my passion and my first Off-Off Broadway production was born and the executive summary to one day open, A Place Called Home for homeless women with cancer was create. We use the show to share how important it is to support this community of women. Today I am living on purpose, sharing my God given gifts.
How have professional networks empowered you?
Networking is a key factor to growing a successful business and has been an intricate part of my overall growth and development. It’s impossible to build a global brand without it.
Who are your role models and why?
Oprah; because she has created a global platform to inspire others to live their dreams. She supports the people and things she loves and it does not take away from self-care. Michelle Obama; it took courage to be First Lady with two young girls and she did it with such grace and dignity. I admire her strength. Someone you may not know, Carol, beautiful blonde hair, blue eyes. She was a high fashion model, one day she walked off the runway and went to the Newark courts and ask to adopt the children that no one wanted. To date she has adopted over 10 African American children that are grown, in college and living productive lives. What a hero!
What does Work-Life Balance mean to you?
Having it ALL. GOD first, FAMILY, WORK, outside interest, hobbies etc., is our natural flow. Living in DIVINE ORDER are the first steps to having a life filled with abundance. Being present in each situation allows us to enjoy it ALL.
How would you like the community at SHEconomy to help you?
As an African American woman, it feels like a struggle to make the connections to move my brand forward. 2022 is the 10th anniversary of my production, we want to take our show global. We want entertainment professionals that are well connected, such as; a Publicists, Booking Agents, Investors. We are ready for Broadway, Vegas and the big box entertainment experiences and venues. I just published my first and second edition books, entitled: My Journey to STYLETAINMENT, A Life Stitched Together. You can HELP by purchasing my book. I want a Booking Agent, obtain a publishing deal and get on the speaking circuits. We’re working on a Documentary and I would love to connect with a TV Producer to turn my story into a Bio Pic and the list goes on…
What would you like to share with the SHEconomy community?
I’d like to introduce you to STYLETAINMENT as well as leave a message to ALL. STYLETAINMENT is a theatrical production company that produces extraordinary performances fusing the arts of Style and Entertainment from a unique point of view. And we use the power of storytelling to guide the audience through each riveting vignette. The first production, The Show, A Cancer Survivors Story (my story) premiered in 2012. It is a narration in movement, telling the powerful story of a cancer survivor’s determination to live her life with strength and gratitude in the face of extraordinary difficulties‐‐and her ultimate triumph. It is about the faith, perseverance and self‐determination of a little girl who dared to dream. Rather than pure entertainment, The Show, is also a powerful platform that aims to bring awareness to the desperate needs of homeless women with cancer. It is my hope that one day, there will be “A Place Called Home,” where these women can live while going through treatments.
My message is simple:
If you have not touched the heart of people, you haven’t done anything. Remember, everything that was ever created began with a thought…so stop procrastinating…just do it!
As you continue on this journey we call life, reach out and grab someone by the hand that’s not as strong as you and take them with you, please?
Teach them so they can teach someone else. And when you have reached the top, don’t get complacent. If you look down, you will see many striving to get up…travel back for more. After all, if you are at the top where else can you go?
Do something nice for someone!
Unconditional Love, Creativity & Empowerment!
