The Strength In Giving Back – Strength Has No Gender™Initiative From Brawny®

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StrengthHasNoGender #CollectiveBias #Cbias

When it comes to inspiring and motivated women, I have no further to look than my own circle of friends. I’ve always taken pride in my female friendships, I’m a girls girl and I find that some of my biggest life lessons have come from the nurturing of those relationships.  Because of this I’ve been super blessed to call some of the most kind, successful and ambitious women my best friends. I could go down the list of my best friend Nikki’s  accomplishments but today I want to focus not on the boxes of accomplishments she can check off, but rather how I’ve been inspired to give back and love a little harder because of her.

I met Nikki when we were both naive and credulous college girls. When we were introduced through mutual friends there was none of that “I had to get to know her before I began to like her”stuff that usually goes on when girls meet for the first time. Nope me and Nik instantly connected and 18 years later our connection remains. There are so many things I admire about Nik – her incredible and effortless sense of style, her knack for making everyone she comes into contact with feel truly seen and heard, her ability to turn the most mundane snack into a flavorful journey for your taste buds, her penchant for picking up my use of random movie lines in conversation. But my absolute favorite thing about her has got to be her compassion, generosity and desire to pay it forward. From recently helping in the interior design and opening of a beauty business that produces and sells natural products from a farm in Haiti, to her volunteer work with a non-profit that provides free, localized education for students in Haiti from grade K-12, Nikki dedicates her time and advocates for the causes that she believes in.

I’m a believer that we should use our voices to recognize the people who inspire us while they can still hear you, so when I heard about the Brawny ®-Strength Has No Gender™ challenge I knew exactly who I had to shed a light on.

The Brawny® challenge identifies the SHEros in our lives and highlights the inspirational stories of everyday women in cities across America who have broken down barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries by empowering others. For this challenge I could go and on about how amazing Nikki is, instead however I wanted to pick her brain and let her do what she so graciously allows others to do – be seen and heard.

Here is our interview…

You’re no stranger to giving back, since I’ve known you have always embraced the spirit of  giving back. With so many different causes, what made the school in Haiti stand out?

Simply put, the children. Every child deserves education, every child deserves a fair start. They are our future. I was also drawn to the dedication, hard work and authenticity of the founders (who I now call family) and staff. The people of Haiti, wow, such a resilient, warm people. The school in Haiti provides a US standard curriculum, all through farm funded education, it also provides so much more than just an education for children.  They are learning agriculture, which I think is amazing and should be incorporated worldwide. The school funds itself through the sale of organic agricultural products grown on the farm. The parents have committed to regular service on the campus, the farm, and in the local community along with the children. Jobs have been created, families are being feed. It just makes my heart smile. There’s a Brooklyn farm that just opened as well, which is super exciting.

What do you say to people who don’t believe they can make a difference or don’t know the first step in volunteering or finding a cause that they should support?

One person can in fact make a difference. Your voice can inspire, impact and influence others. It’s a ripple effect. What is certain, that won’t happen if you sit idly by. There are countless examples of the influence and power in once voice…Rosa Parks, Taslima Nasrin, Malala Yousafzai, Gaaandhi…so many “ordinary people” have done extraordinary things.

What was (IS) the experience like working with the school in Haiti and the beauty business? 

It’s been an array of emotions. The biggest personal lesson for me has been gratitude. It’s imperative to stay in a place of gratitude. Be appreciative for each breath, each moment. I like to be deliberate in my actions and I believe the my charitable contributions have been a help to me in refocusing in my life and creative career. I recently did the interior design for the storefront in Brooklyn and I couldn’t be more proud. I also had the help of the founders which is even more special. It truly is a family, a village, and that is what it takes! Please visit next time you are in NY! 

What does giving back mean to you? Was this something that was instilled in you when you were younger or something that became more important as you matured?

I grew up in a religious home with an active church schedule. I am no stranger to giving, sharing, teaching and being open to receiving. As I’ve matured I’ve learned to have more balance. How to create boundaries for myself and to choose what works for me and to give of myself in a way that makes me feel fulfilled and not over extended. It’s important to know how to go inward for that guidance and revelation.

What are some other causes you’re really digging?

A couple new ones actually, I am helping to build out one of our clients social impact initiatives, a solution that will help empower at risk and under-served kids in the Los Angeles area with the much-needed tools to pursue careers in music and give them new outlets for their creativity.  I am also inspired by a few others, I like what Real Industry is doing. They provide industry education to students, and essentially act as a bridge between the two. So many students struggle with debt while looking for employment after graduation. I think they are helping to bridge that gap, while supporting initiatives like ours. 

Outside of giving back you are a kick ass woman in the music business. How do thrive in that male dominated scene?

I don’t focus on that aspect. I clearly experience the same obstacles as any other woman in a male dominated business. I am also a black woman. There isn’t enough time in a day, or a lifetime, to focus on the obstacles. I’m not concerned with becoming a part of the boys club. I am concerned with focusing on what’s to come and being apart of the change. Women have to stand up and not be afraid of speaking up, create or find support groups (big ups to companies like Girls Make Beats), embrace your female co-workers because they are not your competition, never stop learning, work harder…that means smarter. There will always be hurdles, keep running, keep jumping. What’s for you, is for you, and I believe the universe conspires along with us to bring our desires to fruition. It’s Universal Law.

You’ve always been a nurturer by nature, how do you practice self-care when you’ve taken such good care of others?

It’s important to have balance in all things. You are no good to anyone if you aren’t good to yourself. I’ve learned that the hard way. When self-care and self-love come first, your ability to give and love without condition becomes second nature, your godliness and light shine from within. You become love. Overflowing. 

Who are some ordinary people or activists that inspire you to continue to give of yourself and why?

Most recently you are at the top of my list Joi . I am inspired by your dedication to evolution, to challenging yourself and helping others. Very few people get outside of their comfort zones, create their own businesses, find their passion, much less spend their weekends with strangers pushing them to do the same. I am in awe of the strides you have made and I am so proud of the work you are doing….and to be clear, I don’t think you are ordinary, you’ve got the extra in front of the ordinary baby.

I am also inspired by the founders of the school in Haiti Rubens and Fredeline (siblings) who left their careers and are on the ground in Haiti dedicating countless hours to improve Haiti’s future. It is the single most selfless act I have witnessed, this close, in my lifetime.

What is a quote, music lyric or piece of prose that encourages, inspires or gives you strength?

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” Muhammad Ali 

I mean, you just gonna take up space, waste your talent, not create or share, help?

The other quote might be more familiar and still rings true none the less…

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” Mahatma Gandhi. 

That statement applies to service, giving, your actions, and every single relationship.