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

Hi Charlissa, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Durham, North Carolina and moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina in the fifth grade and remained there until college. Growing up in a single mother home and being the oldest of four children you automatically step into the leadership role quickly. My mother and grandmother always instilled in me that working hard pays off. I was the first of many things in my family. The first to graduate from college which paved the way for my siblings to follow in my footsteps as well. We all graduated from high school and college and never gave up because of the way that we were raised. Seeing my mother work hard day after day without complaining and embracing the hand that was dealt to her showed me that I accomplish anything that I set my mind too.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am currently the Business Services Coordinator for the Southern Historical Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am coming up on two years in the department and are continuing to grow personally and professionally each and everyday. I am an event planner at heart and love putting together programs at work and in my personal life. I am extremely proud of a program that we just completed in March of 2021. It was a grant funded program called “Archives Seedlings.” We invited individuals who have consistently expressed an interest in the histories of their local communities. This programs cohort consisted of ten individuals who were interested in learning more about community archives, attend our trainings, and who were committed to designing and executing a local history project. Due to the pandemic, we had to unfortunately move this event to the virtual world but it turned out better than we expected.

The pandemic changed a lot in all of our lives, however, it has allowed me to focus more on my personal goals and my own business. Frugal Fab Fashion is my baby and came about in 2014 and has allowed me to provide frugal fashion ideas, tips, and inspiration to others. This past year, I have revamped my business and gained more followers on social media, provided more content, and have taken things to a whole new level. I even had the opportunity to style a model for her photoshoot back in January of this year. This is only the beginning for me. I would love to style people and do more personal shopping for others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were to visit me, I would take her to either Raleigh, Greensboro, or Charlotte North Carolina. Unfortunately, in my small town, where I live, it is not popping enough to have some fun to brag about. We would go to Dames Chicken and Waffles in Greensboro and do brunch, maybe hit up some thrift stores and or the mall, go out to dinner somewhere fancy and live it up. I love the vibes at Fahrenheit restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina where we can enjoy some drinks and good food on the rooftop while seeing the beautiful Charlotte skyline. Another place that I would take her is Dimensional Drop in Greensboro, NC where you are taking part in a virtual breakout room and more. I would also love to take my best friend to some of the local black owned businesses in those areas to get good food and give back to our community. I would also go The Rich Girl Museum in Greensboro, NC which is super dope & a cute vibe. I recently went there & took some dope pictures. If you can check it out, I hope you do.

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 my sisters. My sister Lakisha and Shawanna who are out here crushing goals, dreams and breaking generational curses. They both have their own businesses and are growing and thriving. I am so very proud of them and so lucky to have them in my life.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frugalfabfashion/

Facebook: Frugal Fab Fashion

Image Credits
Bryant Rice – Husband Lakisha Copeland- Sister Shawanna Sykes- Sister Jessica Delovely- Model

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