Meet Shateria Smith | Visionary & Movement Starter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shateria Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shateria, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have always been creative and always knew I would work for myself! 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 & 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!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
brown girls can: is a movement that was started for black women, teens and girls to be seen, heard & 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 & 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 here we are! October 5th – October 12th, brown girls can: THE FESTIVAL is happening in Chattanooga, TN. It’s 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 go to the next generation of girls at Girls Inc. of Chattanooga. More information, full itinerary and lineup can be found at browngirlscan.org

Was it easy? 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 & taking time to realize little steps of the vision instead of trying to accomplish the entire huge plan has been my saving grace.

Lessons learned along the way: Take time for yourself. Resting is productive. Productivity does not define your success. It’s okay to rebrand your life. Do what makes YOU happy- you’re the only one who has to understand it! Align with luxury, wealth and the life you desire to live. Collaboration is necessary for growth. Charge your worth every time. Your home town is not your target audience; they are the test audience.

What I want the world to know about me: My intentions are to always bring other people with me. I will always help when I can. I have strong boundaries and live by them. I may not be perfect but I try to be progressive in my strive toward it! Both of my parents transitioned from this world and left the greatest parts of them here with me as their legacy. (I hope I’m making Lamont & Tonyia proud).

What I want the world to know about my brand and story: My brand and story was built from love and the desire to see EVERYBODY WIN. I am often asked why did you not call the brand black girls can:? Because we are represented in so many beautiful shades of brown! I left it open-ended with the colon because whatever you put there, somewhere in the world there is proof that a black woman doing it; and doing it well! Yes- brown girls can: cook, brown girls can: invest – brown girls can: (you fill in the blank)!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Chattanooga is an amazing city with beautiful scenery with places that offer delicious food! If my friend was coming into town, we’d go to Davis Waynes for home cooked soul food fine dining, Pier 88 for the best Seafood Boil or J Alexanders for their lemon drops and carrot cake!

We would definitely stop by S2N Boutique to shop the latest trends in fashion and we’d definitely go do karaoke at Sing it Or Wing It!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout 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 & Aunt JV & my cousin EJ, all of my nieces, nephews and cousins!) My boss, Shane Morrow, who’s like an uncle to me- THANK YOU. My alignment adventure partner & friend Nate Royal- thank you! All of the staff and ladies at Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, thank you! Alexis Willis, Bria Davis, Cassandra Tucker, Chanda Bowman, Cheri Hudgins, Chloie Marshall, Christina Johnson, Cythina “Rena” Robinson, Demetrus Coonrod, Destini Russell, Ella Livingston, Erica Wright, Evan Diaz, Felicia Polk Jackson, Grace Harry, Kia Ruffin, Kiara Davis, Kim Mathis, Kris Hacker, Lakweshia Ewing, Lamika Ball, Latoia Smith, Laura Brown, Leah Davis, Marquita Tolliver, Melinda Bone, Minique Murphy, Osha Thomas, Paula Dailey, Quinita Robinson, Rakia Williams, Rebecca Love, Riley Willis, Samaria White, Shanika NIP Freeman, Sharon Green, Shawanna Kendrick, Sheyla Jordan, Tacia Taylor, Tee Marona-Cameron, Vee Rhodes, Yolanda Cox & Yolanda Finney – to all of you – KEEP GOING. When one of us wins, WE ALL WIN… keep being proof that brown girls can: !!!

Website: www.browngirlscan.org

Instagram: @browngirlscanmovement | @browngirlscanpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/browngirlscan:

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@browngirlscan

Other: Podcast can be streamed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and anywhere podcasts are streamed.

Image Credits
Harlan Breaux (headshot & in studio photo)