Today we’d like to introduce you to Shani Hamilton.
Hi Shani, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory
Hello there! I’m Shani H. I am the Founder and CEO of Grace & Black LLC. To get started, I’m a small-town girl. I was born and raised in Alabama. For most of my life, I was known as a very shy girl. However, beyond the shyness and lack of confidence, I always saw myself bigger than the life I was living. I grew up in a single-family household with a mother who was a proud HBCU graduate with all these great qualities and still had the odds stacked against her. Therefore, much of my upbringing and hardships are what contributed to me wanting to change the narrative from struggle to success for myself and my family.
Again, I was this super quiet person, but God saw fit somehow to birth me in a family that had so many gifts. The gift of writing, the gift of music, the gift of teaching, and more. In addition to that, I was blessed to have a family that instilled biblical teaching, which allowed me to believe that my gifts will make room for me. I’ve always been this ambitious, creative, business-minded individual, but I often lacked a boldness. Walking in your passion and purpose can be a very scary thing to do. Especially when it’s not often received or understood by others. In the words of Erykah Badu, “I’m sensitive about my…”. (You know the rest). Nonetheless, it’s been a journey. Life after college was not what I expected in terms of coming out of college to ultimately find myself struggling. I received a B.S. in Communications with a minor in Radio-Television-Film. I’ve always loved the art of storytelling and creating while also having an entrepreneurial spirit. Despite not landing some roles within companies and feeling like I was at a dead end I decided to relocate to Georgia. It was literally what I deemed as my “leap of faith” year.
For so long, I was attaching my worth to my work until I became so uncomfortable that I had to shift. I didn’t have much of anything for the move to seem like a wise decision to make, but I was heavy on the “faith”. I didn’t immediately land a job, but during the time of not working, I began writing my desires down and manifesting them daily. Those moments of stillness were pivotal in tapping into my purpose-driven life. During that time, I was given an opportunity to create music content, which was super fun for a creative agency. I also worked as a freelancer for a couple of PR agencies. I later secured a full-time job that allowed me to get in a better financial position.
Fast forward, we have Grace and Black LLC. Grace & Black is an influential lifestyle fashion line and boutique. Much like my love for music and creating, fashion also gives me the means to express myself. My grandmother and my mother were women I could look to daily in how they exuded style and grace, which ultimately set the standard for me. Nonetheless, like many others, I have been told “no,” so many times and have dealt with countless disappointments. Along this journey, I have gained so many skills and a new way of thinking as a creative and entrepreneur. However, how did I get to where I am today can be summed up easily, “it’s by God’s grace”. Hence, Grace & Black.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been smooth. In terms of Grace & Black, the business was supposed to launch in 2019. However, it officially launched in October 2020. I was trying to work with a company for website designing, graphics, campaigns, and all things brand-related. I felt I needed to partner with a company to put their staple on the business so that I could feel comfortable releasing the business publicly. The company ultimately was promising me a service but not following through. Although I knew I had skills to do it myself I lacked the confidence. I was allowing fear to control me. Then the pandemic happened.
As an entrepreneur you wear many hats, the first being an investor. A lot of things in my personal life became uncertain. I wasn’t sure about my employment status and where that would leave me financially. I also wasn’t doing any online shopping of my own outside of purchasing essentials. So, it was a question of people’s spending habits that drew some concern as well.
I definitely learned a lot about myself during that time of uncertainty. I was attaching my abilities to the “no’s” I often received and was automatically canceling me out before I took a chance on myself. Of course that changed, and here we are.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
What should you know? Great question. The Grace & Black collection is a blend of signature statements and elegant pieces for a stylish and polished look. Grace & Black is bigger than an outlet for purchasing stylish clothing. It really is a means to remind people that the very thing we’ve been called to do, we’ve also been graced to do. Just as we get up and clothe ourselves in materials, we should also clothe ourselves in God’s amazing grace. His grace is where peace, rest, and favor reside. It’s also a gentle reminder to be kind to ourselves. Personally, inside and outside of the business, I’ve been inspired by so many. I pride myself on being able to be that inspiration for others.
Personally, I have a lot of layers to me and this business is a branch of what other things will stem from. I am all things Grace & Black from CEO to model and I wouldn’t trade a thing. Honestly, I would like to be known as a woman who truly exudes style and grace much like my grandmother and mother. I will say I’m most proud of stepping out on faith and releasing this gift to the world so that I am serving in a way God intended for me to do. Nonetheless, the support has been incredible.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Again, growing up, I was very quiet and reserved. I’ve always been a big dreamer and now doer. I’m still very much a chill person with a comedic side. In high school, I started to get more into music, entertainment, and singing as my interest. So, I really went from this shy girl who didn’t speak on much to being on a stage singing and performing. I was even an on-air radio personality in college. Music and fashion are two things that I love. They both give me the means to express myself. Music gave me the push of confidence and permission to be the creative I am. It also served as a contributor when it came to the visual of my highest self and what that would look like in terms of style.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@graceandblack.com
- Website: https://graceandblack.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graceandblack/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graceandblack/
Image Credits
Goldie Love Photography
