Daily Inspiration: Meet Grace The Stallion

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace The Stallion.

Hi Grace, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I always knew I had a love for performing arts and fashion ever since I was a little girl. I was not like most girls growing up. I didn’t care about playing with barbie dolls and boys. I loved watching musicals like Annie, The Wiz, Sarafina, and countless others. I enjoyed dancing, singing and acting out all the scenes from movies, and in school, I would always join the theatre clubs and do plays. Because I was the oldest and only girl child, I had no one my age to talk to, so I got a notebook and began writing out my thoughts and feelings in the form of poetry. A book that I still have to this day. Everything I went through as a child is written in that book.

It was from my love of writing and acting, mixed with the feedback I received from people, that I realized I had a gift and calling for performing arts. I attended Talent Unlimited High School as a theater major where I had the chance to work with MTV stars like Bill Bellamy and Ananda Lewis who visited our school frequently teaching and encouraging us to pursue our dreams.

After HighSchool, life hit and in my first year of college, I found out I was pregnant with my 1st son. From that point on, being a mom became my life and abruptly put my dreams on hold. It wasn’t until my late twenties, after the birth of my 2nd son, that I decided it was time to continue pursuing my dream. I felt empty inside and eventually hated every job I worked, so I knew I had to do something. In 2012, I moved back to NY and immediately reached out to some old connects I had, and boom, just like that, I started involving myself in numerous fashion events as a full-figured model.

I was proud to represent women my size, as I was always made to feel like I was unattractive because of my size and complexion. Modeling opened many doors for me as I was traveling the world, winning competitions and sharing the runway with some of the baddest models in the world.

From modeling and working closely with a designer, helping her design her pieces, I was given the opportunity to learn how to sew and make my own pieces, and in just six weeks, I learned how to sew 12 of my own sketches and from there I launched my clothing line in 2014 called Stallion Style Designs/Designed By Grace.

After the launch of my clothing line, I began dressing models and a few celebrities such as Ms. Toi, Selena Johnson and Ashley from Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. My clothing line was featured in several magazines and sold in two clothing stores in both Connecticut and New York boutiques.

Then in 2015, I appeared as a guest on a radio show in Times Square, NY, where the host Keri Singleton thought I had such a beautiful voice f0r radio that he insisted I speak to the owner to have my own radio show segment, and a month later, my show Talkitout Radio hit the airwaves and has enjoyed 7 awesome years on air and counting.

With all that I was now doing, I still felt incomplete, as I hadn’t returned to my love for theater and writing. So in 2020, during covid, I felt it was time to start writing again. I was going through a lot, as was the rest of the world and I felt it was time to finally share my story with the world, so I began writing and came up with the idea to write a play of monologues based on true stories from events of my life and the lives of others. I spent two weeks writing the script and 8 weeks casting and rehearsing my actors. I named the play ‘Everybody’s Got A Story’, and on December 19, 2020, we shared it live on stage in Atlanta. The play was such a great success that I am now currently working on Part 2 of Everybody’s Got A Story, as well as currently filming a series I wrote called ‘Love N Atlanta’. By the way, you can check out some of the scenes from ‘Everybody’s Got A Story ‘ on YouTube.

In addition to my love for fashion, radio and performing arts. I am also a current graduate of Post University. I recently graduated Cum Laude in May of 2022 with a Bachelor’s in Legal Studies with Honors Distinction, with plans to begin Law School in the fall of 2023.

I am where I am today because I believe the sky is never the limit. No matter what life throws at me, I persevere and I refuse to waste the gifts and talents God gave me. My goal is to teach my children never to give up. For we can do all things through God who strengthens us.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing in my life has ever worked smoothly. I wish it did but that has never been the case for me.

Although I knew from an early age what my gifts and talents were, my parents didn’t quite feel the same. Of all the performances I wrote and was a part of growing up, my parents never attended any shows and barely supported my love for it. They believed it was just a hobby and not something I could do for real. Then I lost my mom at age 13 and I pretty much raised myself ever since.

I dealt with criticism from family members who told me I wasn’t pretty or small enough to be a model or actress.

I dealt with discrimination as a full-figured model at shows because they felt the smaller women were better models to showcase.

I dealt with sexual harassment from photographers and other male industry professionals as well as hate, slander and gossip from other women as I became more and more involved in the industry.

None of which ever stopped me from pursuing my dream, as you have to have tough skin to be successful in doing anything you love.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently the weekday morning show host from 6a to 10a on Power 104.9FM WSTV in Atlanta. My seven years running show “Talkitout Radio” is the number 1 show on the station. I am also the writer, director and producer of my upcoming series called “Love N Atlanta”, set to air in the Spring of 2023. I am also still a seamstress, making clothing by order only. You can check out some of my work on IG @gracethestallion.

In addition to the above, I also work for the government gaining experience in the field of law and preparing to take my LSATS for Law School entry next fall.

I specialize in writing, speaking, and making people feel good about themselves. I like to uplift people with my words, share the things I learn and work daily to be a better person today than I was yesterday.

I am known for my voice, my drive, my words, and my name; Grace The Stallion (a name I coined first by the way) I believe people know and respect me because I am positive, honest, outspoken, intelligent and gifted.

I am most proud of my strength and perseverance, as I am a woman who has been kicked down many of times, a woman who wanted to give up many of days and has fought every day of her life to be where she is today.

What sets me apart from others is my struggle and my ability to overcome it and use it to make myself a better person. Looking back just enough to remember where I came from while looking forward far enough to see what’s coming.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something surprising about me that most people don’t know is that I always wanted to be an MMA fighter. I don’t know why, but I just think I would be good at it. Lol.

Contact Info:

• Website: Gtsproductions.net
• Instagram: @gracethestallion @Talkitoutradio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracethestallion
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCKIbfpo9DhOt6ORqSDfQw1w