Let’s get right to it. I was the only Black person in my household. There was always that one thing not like the other...Sis, that was me!
So, throughout my childhood, I was falsely defined and stereotyped based on outsider misconceptions of Black culture. Hinged by their broken lenses, they tried to mold me into someone I wasn’t created to be. I never had a safe space for me to just be Shelah Marie.
I desperately searched for spaces that yielded acceptance, appreciated my voice, and encouraged me to experience healthy growth that was stunted for so long. I wanted to find myself.
Little did I know that craving to establish my own identity was the beginning of my journey towards self-discovery, wellness, and healing.
Ironically, It was through theater and acting where I found the first piece of myself. That was my safe space and a foundation for creating similar environments for others.
Let me first say, I’ve had humble beginnings. I practically was a stranger in my own household. So, I hope you don’t mind me taking a minute (or two) to brag on myself. I've worked hard. I’ve come a long way…
I graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors in Theater. I then went on to earn my Masters from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.
My time spent studying theater introduced me to drama therapy, something I felt compelled to share with children domestically and abroad.. Because of that, I independently created, funded, and led The Sustainable Theater Workshop in San Rafael, Haiti, in Dakar, Senegal, and at The UN Headquarters in NYC.
And, let me not forget the fact that I have one WHOLE line in the Transporter 2 alongside Jason Statham! I am a proudly certified film and tv enthusiast. I love deconstructing thought-provoking films and TV to see what commentary there is to be made. So it’s safe to say, I’ll be talking about that one line until my kids (and grandkids) are grown.
I have never been the shy-type. I keep all of my conversations honest and real. One day, I took my story to social media and hashtagged it #curvyncurly. It attracted a massive audience of women who could relate to dealing with body insecurities, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
That audience now consists of over a half million women. In fact, it is no longer an audience. This is my sisterhood, a collective known as Curvy, Curly, Conscious! It’s easy to say, I founded this group. I can also say this group found me. Serving as a container and mouthpiece for women who are fully invested in their healing and growth pushed me to keep going.
Through the CCC collective, I produced sold-out retreats (not spending a dime on marketing) and created annual holiday Meditating Santa Sweaters that gross over $20,000 in sales (again no marketing or advertising dollars) each holiday season. To further support these women and their journeys, I authored “A Positive You: A Personal Growth Journal for Women.” I even created a Meditation Mixtape Series available on all streaming platforms.
Taking it back to social media, my story and voice helped me amass nearly 500k followers across all socials. My own wellness journey has presented me with the opportunity to facilitate meditation and self-love workshops for Facebook, Instagram, Patreon, and NYX Cosmetics.
Outside of my platform, I have graced others to inspire many more women to evolve and become greater through healing and wellness. You may have heard my voice on Angela Yee’s Lip Service. You may have read my story in Essence Magazine or XONecole. I am pretty sure I have gone viral on Black relationship Twitter a few times #honored. The best part of my journey: becoming a dedicated wife and bonus mom!
Some call me a Wellness Influencer, a Content Creator, a Healing Initiator, even a Rebel. I agree.
I am constantly in a state of flux and flow because there’s still much more healing to do within myself and my community.
As long as conversations need to be had…
As long as my sisters have a voice…
As long as healing needs to take place...
I will be present & show up as Shelah Marie.
Through the melody of my mixtape or the truths in my story, there is power in my words. I will continue to spark conversations surrounding Black women that cause others to listen, speak, and act. I will always create safe spaces where these women can experience wellness, healing, and a happier sense of being.
I’ve gotten this far on my own. Imagine how far we can go, when we do the work.
