Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Tolbert.
Raven, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Around the ages of six and seven, I would always have a pencil and paper to write down the names of people who I could have to join me to start a dance team. I would even write down a list of songs we would dance to. My hometown is very small and has always had mostly sports and no arts. Not being able to travel for dance lessons, I had to settle for the next best thing growing up; that was soccer, gymnastics, basketball, cheerleading, and band. I was able to cheer for four years. I attended cheer tryouts for the fifth year in a row only to find out that I did not make the team. I was devasted, hurt, and just did not know what was next. I was always the type of student who wanted to stay involved throughout school, so I started my first dance team, which was known as The Golden Tigerettes. They performed during halftime of the Varsity Boys basketball games. The team only danced for one season.
After that, I attended volleyball tryouts and made it to the last round before I was cut. That same year my high school had just hired a new band director and they were allowing students to join without audition. I decided to try being a majorette; it was not for me. So, they suggested I try colorguard instead. It was now my junior year of high school and here I was doing something completely out of my element. I continued and progressed very well. In my senior year, I was told by our band director that I would be auxiliary captain. Now, not only did I have the responsibility of making sure everyone a part of the colorguard was together, but also the majorettes. I have always loved being in leadership positions and the challenges that come with it because it taught me life lessons and skills that I would need beyond that time. I can remember so vividly my senior homecoming. I was voted Miss. Dadeville High School. As my name was called, I was escorted onto the floor while my dreams and what I planned to do after graduating high school were being said over the whole gym. To sum it up, I wanted to attend and graduate college, come back and start a dance team at the school, and open my own dance studio.
After graduating high school, I went off to attend Auburn University at Montgomery, where I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. My freshman year was when the entrepreneurship program was established. I easily decided that this would be my major. After a few months, I began to re-think if college was even for me. I began to get overwhelmed with my work and even began to compare myself to other entrepreneurs. The thought that “I really don’t even need to be in college to start a business” ran rapidly through my head for a while. Once talking to my sister, she explained to me that, yes, my thought was true, but there were so many other benefits that I would be able to utilize and barriers that I would not have to cross because of what I would learn while studying entrepreneurship. I have always wanted to use my skills and the gifts that God has given me to be more impactful beyond dancing. Mentorship is something that has always been on my heart as well. In my sophomore year of college, I had my first mentoring event called Mission POSSIB.U.L.L (Building Up Luminary Legends). We focused on character building, leadership skills, and succession planning.
During my senior year of college, I was asked to be the coach of the new dance team at my Alma Mater. Of course, I accepted the position with no hesitation. We had a team of about twenty girls, and they performed during halftime of the Varsity Girls and Boys basketball games. Closer to the end of the season, we also got the chance to perform in two Christmas parades. It was a valuable experience for me. I was able to learn better time management because I was still in school and had to drive back and forth throughout the week and weekends. Not only that, but I overall was able to learn the entire essence of having the responsibility of handling an entire dance team and everything else that came with it, Although COVID-19 stopped us from continuing with our second year of dancing, I am so grateful for the experience and cannot wait until next year to have a newly developed team, learn even more, and watch them grace the floor. Now, I am currently preparing for the grand opening of my new dance studio, Mahogany Masterpiece, LLC. The name Mahogany Masterpiece came easy.
As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Masterpiece is my line name. When I first came across the word “Mahogany”, I immediately thought of my culture, love, and strength. It just keeps me reminded that I’m a strong black woman, doing what I love to do all while reminding others that they too are a Masterpiece. God’s Masterpiece. On February 3rd, 2020, I was able to sign the lease and received the keys to the building. A day I will never forget. Within the studio, I will have various classes designed for all ages and also plan to network with good friends and colleagues that I have met along the way who are into other forms of art. This has always been my dream and being right in the middle of what I have always prayed for is a blessing. I look forward to serving my community and giving back through the art of dance. Everything that was said during my high school senior homecoming is turning into reality and I know it is nobody but God. I know that this is only the beginning, and I am so excited to see where God leads me with dance and the many other dreams and visions that He has placed on my heart. Mahogany Masterpiece, LLC opening April 2021.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the main obstacles/challenges that I had to face was having divorced parents. It was really hard for me in the beginning as I had to process things differently as a child my age because I would always try to understand things and why things had to be the way that they were. I did not let that stop me and it may have even been a blinded reason as to why I am who I am today and work so hard at the things I work at. Although this was a challenge, time went on and my parents did a very good job at co-parenting and making sure I always had that support that I needed in any area of my life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is just now beginning. Preparing for the grand opening of the studio has been a process, but I am working to make sure that things are exactly how I want them and well equipped for opening. We look forward to serving everyone!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The dance industry is continuing to grow and level up at all times. There are so many different forms and genres of dance that continue to positively impact us, and I am excited to be apart of it. With the internet and social media being such a beneficial tool, artists are able to easily record and upload their videos and have a great potential of being discovered and simply spreading positive light. While being apart of this industry is fun and puts smiles on people’s faces, it is also great exercise and beneficial for your overall well-being. That is something I also look forward to pouring out into others, helping them to build not only their physical but also their mental state of wellness.
Contact Info:
- Email: raventiesha16@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mahogany-Masterpiece-102184764945597
Image Credits
Keva B Photography
