Today we’d like to introduce you to Shateria Smith.
Hi Shateria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story is one of resilience, hard work and FUN! I have always been creative and always knew I would work for myself! I started with a graphic and web design marketing firm called Simply Shateria. I did this for years as a side hustle making supplemental income as I worked in corporate America. When I was turning 30 (during COVID in 2020), I was introduced to event rentals which grew into a six year business called Simply Props. As I’ve grown over the years, I have turned my efforts into empowering black girls, teens & women with an organization called brown girls can:.
With brown girls can: ,I wanted to create space for black women to be seen, heard and celebrated. It started as an idea for a docuseries where I would sit down with black women in a specific niche. It has pleasantly spiraled in the best way into a full fledged movement that has merchandise, events and it’s own podcast. I believe in following your highest passions and that they will lead you to something beautiful; something you could not even have imagined for yourself!
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?
As with anything in business (and LIFE) there has definitely been bumps and struggles along the way to becoming who I am today. Developing something that has not existed in the city will always come with a variety of issues. Creating a blueprint is the hard part- the one to venture into uncharted waters and territories always faces the most challenges; but afterward, those who follow behind will have an easier journey from the groundwork that was laid.
As a visionary, you face financial challenges (bootstrapping and finding grant funding wherever possible), problems with human resources and finding dedicated and loyal team members that you can trust and of course long nights and early mornings that nobody ever knows about. It’s all worth it in the end when you see the dream as a reality and manifestation.
It has been heavy; and at times it has been overwhelming because I know that this vision is so much bigger than me. Collaborating with like minded women and taking time to realize little steps of the vision instead of trying to accomplish the entire huge plan has been my saving grace.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
brown girls can: is a movement that was started for black women, teens and girls to be seen, heard and celebrated. In a world where diversity and inclusion are being removed, it was important for me to help black women remember who they are! Knowing that collaboration is key to community growth, I knew that building a network of successful black women doing ALL THE THINGS was vital in building this vision. I had the idea to do a docuseries where we sit down with black women and dispel myths, have girl talk and heal together. While creating the docuseries, someone asked to buy a shirt to support my efforts and so merch was born out of that request. We now have apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, beanies), books and games.
About 6 months after we wrapped filming the first couple of episodes of the docuseries, I had a thought that I wanted to create a festival- but not just any festival. I wanted to create a festival that was open for all and curated by black women. I mean what would happen if we all were seen operating in our lane at the highest level? Pouring into one another by supporting each other’s events but also receiving the same love and support by having our cup filled like only community can… so we officially and successfully had our first festival this year from October 5th – October 12th in Chattanooga, TN. It was a weeklong series of events, workshops, discount codes all curated by the brilliance of black women presented and open to everyone… and a portion of all proceeds went to the next generation of girls at Girls Inc. of Chattanooga.
I’m most proud that brown girls can: and it’s vision have been recognized with awards but more importantly- with women saying they feel better connected with community, and with each other as a result of the work we do.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I would like to shoutout all of the women who have said YES to assisting me in my vision! My family (Granny, Auntie Keva, Uncle Turtle and Aunt JV, my cousin EJ, all of my nieces, nephews and cousins!) My boss who is like an uncle, Shane Morrow: he always invests and supports my ideas, creativity and gift- THANK YOU. My forever alignment adventure partner Nate Royal- thank you! To one of my big sisters and mentors Tamara Steward, owner of Spark The Firm- thank you for supporting, and saying my name in rooms that I’m not in. I appreciate you! To any and everyone that has cheered me on, attended an event, told anyone about brown girls can: or about me and my talents & skills – THANK YOU. Whatever you have a dream of doing- DO IT. Whatever you are currently passionate about. Please KEEP GOING. Please keep gifting the world with it! When one of us wins, WE ALL WIN… keep being proof that brown girls (and guys) can: !!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.browngirlscan.org
- Instagram: @browngirlscanmovement | @browngirlscanpodcast
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/browngirlscan:
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@browngirlscan
- Other: Podcast can be streamed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and anywhere podcasts are streamed.
Image Credits
Professional headshot: HB Studios
