Life & Work with Shanara Sanders of Fayetteville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanara Sanders.

Hi Shanara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m originally from Chicago, and my creative life really started in church. From early on, I was drawn to singing, dancing, and anything that put me in front of a crowd. I became very comfortable performing and communicating with audiences, and that eventually expanded into spoken word. I became immersed in the Chicago spoken word scene, began recording my own projects, and was awarded the Chicago Community Arts Assistance Program grant four times. While living in Dublin, Ireland, working as an accountant, I taught hip-hop dance classes. When I returned to Chicago, I hosted a radio program, “Word with The MouthPeace”, another platform centered on conversation, storytelling, and highlighting the best singers and groups in the city. Around that same time, I also began doing voiceover work, and what I didn’t realize then was that a consistent thread was forming — I’ve always been a communicator, regardless of the medium.
I later spent many years living in Los Angeles, where my performance background continued to grow. I performed in theater and touring productions and created my own original work. I launched a YouTube and podcast series called Ask a Black Woman, which later evolved into an award-winning one-woman show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival that I toured right before the pandemic. Alongside those projects, I continued building my voiceover career, which I have now worked in for over 15 years and currently pursue with representation.
About five years ago, I relocated to Fayetteville, and a new chapter opened. After becoming a second-place winner in the 2023 Fayette County Business Pitch Contest, I developed Round the Way Vegan. What began as sharing plant-based meals in the community organically grew into catering for local organizations, including the Chamber, a city mayor, and private events. What stood out to me was that food created the same result my performances always did — people gathered, stayed, talked, and connected. I realized food had become another storytelling medium and a way to build community.

In December 2025, I completed my Master of Business Administration. Returning to school after many years was intentional because I wanted to pair my creative background with business structure and sustainability. Today, I see all of my experiences as part of one larger path. Whether through voiceover, hosting, media, live events, or community collaboration, my work centers on communication, encouragement, and creating spaces where people feel seen and connected.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I first started, I was very hopeful and honestly a little green about the business side of the creative world. Chicago was an incredible place to come up because it was supportive but also honest. In the spoken word and performance scenes, you had to actually be good. People weren’t going to flatter you — they were going to tell you the truth, and that shaped me in a healthy way.
What I learned over time is that a creative path requires a lot of stamina and commitment. Social media can make it look like success happens overnight, but most artists are building slowly while also working regular jobs to support their craft. I’ve spent much of my career balancing a day job with rehearsals, training, auditions, writing, and producing my own work. That part isn’t often discussed, but it’s real. Developing your skills is ongoing — like an athlete, you’re constantly sharpening your instrument.
One of my biggest growth moments came when I created and produced Ask a Black Woman. Acting in someone else’s production is one level of responsibility, but producing your own project is different. I had to invest time, energy, and resources into something I believed in, often sacrificing other interests to bring it to life. The pandemic interrupted momentum right as the show was growing, and later returning to school to complete my MBA also required stepping back from creating for a season. That was challenging because creativity is a core part of who I am.
Looking back, the journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been meaningful. The most rewarding moments have always been when someone tells me they were encouraged, moved, or seen through something I wrote, performed, or created. Those experiences remind me why I stayed with it. Every challenge pushed me to be more intentional about my purpose, and today I have a deeper appreciation for both the work and the community that supports it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work really centers on communication and connection. I’m a storyteller and a host at heart, and I naturally move toward spaces where people feel comfortable, included, and engaged. I’ve expressed that through voiceover, live performance, media, and even food with Round the Way Vegan, but the goal is always the same — helping people feel seen and part of the moment rather than just watching it.
What sets me apart is my approach to people. I don’t perform at audiences; I relate to them. I tend to read a room well and adjust so people relax and lean in. A lot of that comes from my personality and devotion to my Christian faith, which shapes how I show up. My work is rooted in encouragement, authenticity, and joy. I learned over time that I didn’t have to change who I was or compromise my values to connect with people. Once I embraced that, my work became more natural, and audiences responded to it.
One project I’m especially proud of is creating and producing Ask a Black Woman. I was fully committed to it while still working a full-time job and handled not only the writing and performance but the promotion. Leading up to the Hollywood Fringe Festival, I attended events constantly, introduced myself to other artists, and promoted the show personally. I created my own merchandise, talked to people one-on-one, and built relationships so people were curious before they ever stepped into the theater. The show sold out, and the production received strong audience response and later recognition at the festival. What meant the most to me was hearing that people felt understood and encouraged after seeing it.
Across every platform, what I’m most proud of is the consistency of the impact. Whether someone hears my voice, attends an event, or shares a meal, they tend to walk away feeling lighter and more connected. For me, that’s the real work — using whatever medium I’m in to bring warmth, conversation, and a sense of community to the space.

How do you define success?
My definition of success has evolved. Earlier in life I might have measured it by visibility or big opportunities, but now I see it differently. Success to me is being able to do work I genuinely enjoy, feel excited about, and be fairly compensated for it. I’m still working toward that balance, but that’s the goal — work that feels meaningful rather than draining.
I’m not driven by fame. I actually value being able to live a normal life and move through the world peacefully. What matters more to me is impact. If today were my last day, I would hope people could say I showed up with kindness, encouragement, and sincerity. Whether it was through a performance, a conversation, or even a meal I prepared, I want people to feel like they mattered in that moment.
My faith shapes how I see success as well. I think about stewardship — how I used the gifts, opportunities, resources, and relationships entrusted to me. Success isn’t just what I achieved, but how I handled what I was given and whether I used it to serve others well. I also hope to reach a point where I have the freedom to give my time and support to causes I care about without limitation.
For me, success is living with purpose, creating with joy, helping people along the way, and having peace at the end of the day knowing I did my best with what I was given.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themouthpeace.live
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanara12/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/t4uGaZ9ITB4?si=ZRcPLFbgKS6VHB1h

Image Credits
Ride Hamilton on the first and fifth photos of the previous page. Letitia Andrade on the third picture on the previous page.