Meet Daiva Wilson | Natural Hair Advocate & Student

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

Hi Daiva, can you tell us about an impactful book you’ve read and why you liked it or what impact it had on you?
Grab your wine glass ladies and gentleman because that is exactly what I did when I read Gabrielle Union’s first book, “We’re Going to Need More Wine.” I honestly don’t read a lot, and I should get back to it, I just have to find the perfect book that will keep me hooked and drawn in from the moment I open it to the moment I close it. The reason I chose to read this book is because I enjoy Gabrielle Union as an actress. In Being Mary Jane, I just enjoyed her boss mentality. Sis was in her bag and was going to get to it no matter what. I love her movies as well, but that show is what really did it for me. The reason I liked her book so much is because it was just so raw and she was speaking from experience. Her life growing up and the lessons she learned. The book either had you crying, laughing or just solely agreeing on what she was saying. I still need to read her second one that she wrote because I know I will enjoy it. I believe the impact that it had on me was being able to relate to some things that she said and if I didn’t relate, I was able to put myself in someone else’s shoes.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am in my last semester of graduate school. I will be graduating May 2022 with my Master’s in Agricultural Sciences and a concentration in Agribusiness Management & Analysis. Aside from being a full-time student I do also work at Chase Bank in downtown Nashville as an Associate Banker. I would definitely say that I am most proud about graduating this spring. When I first started my master’s program I was like I never thought about the fact that I was about to have two degrees at the age of 23. But I am, and that is what I am most proud of. How I got to where I am today is solely based on how hard I work. When I am at work, I always put my all into understanding the job function as well as being able to serve the clients as best as I can. I have zero background experience in banking, but over the summer I knew I would need a better paying when I returned from my internship. I applied online and was hired a few months later. I am very grateful for this opportunity, especially while I am still in school. I have learned a lot about financials and banking and just being better for clients. There have been some challenges, just understanding management and how to navigate different managing styles. Some lessons I have learned along the way is to remember that it is just work. I get worked up over things I cannot control and I just need to remember that I am doing a great job, and if others cannot see that, then they just can’t see. I want the world to know about my brand and/or my story is that you can honestly do anything that you set your mind to. I know that sounds cliche, but it is true. I go through times where I am stuck with my business and just don’t know what to do next, but there are resources out there for you and there are also those supporters that you thanked in the beginning that are still there willing to watch you grow. Manifest and have a positive mindset.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Bestie is in town for a week and i can’t wait to show them around the city of Nashville. First thing I would do is request off of work the entire week so that we can really explore the city. When ever I visit somewhere I have not been, I am always down to try new food spots. Say bestie gets into town on midday Friday, of course I am going to go pick her up from the airport and then we will head back to my apartment. We both get freshened up to go out to dinner, something casual because then we can go bar hop on Broadway downtown. Hit the rooftops, have strangers buy us drinks, a really good time. We end up calling it a night late in the morning and decide to get brunch at a new spot downtown called Church & Union, get a few mimosas in us and then hit 5th & Broadway. Get some wine tasting in at Sixty Vines and enjoy ourselves down there in that center. Later that night we decide to grab just a quick bite from Slim & Husky’s in Antioch before we head back to the house to ready to go to the WKND later on. Sunday comes and we decide to have brunch at a new spot in Smyrna, Calendars Eat and Lounge. A chance for us to have a good time and enjoy being with each other. Sunday ends up becoming Sunday Funday and we hit any and every bar we can to smoke hookah and listen to some good music. Monday is more of a relaxed day just because it is Monday. We go and grab some breakfast and coffee in East Nashville at a spot called Snooze Eatery. Go for a walk on the trail by the Percy Priest Lake and take my dog along with us. Go back to the house and just chill and relax and catch up. I decide to cook dinner for us that night. A wine down night. Tuesday is her last night in Nashville and I have been wanting to go to the African American Museum, so we get cute and head downtown again. Since it is Taco Tuesday, best believe we are going to get us some tacos and margaritas from Velvet Tacos. Tuesday night we want to have a nice dinner at a restaurant, so I took us to Perry’s Steakhouse in Franklin just to end the night off. Of course while she was here we went to Opry Mills Mall and did some shopping, enjoyed ourselves at some bars and rooftops as well. Nashville is growing so much and so quickly, I haven’t even been able to enjoy as much of the city, but when the bestie comes to town, we are going to have a good time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to give a shout-out to my illustrious alma mater, Tennessee State University. I am originally from Indianapolis, IN and the high school I went to was predominately white. Of course I had friends from different backgrounds, but mainly who I saw were white people. When I arrived at TSU for move-in day, I was immediately in awe because of the fact we all looked alike. As years went on, you would witness another entrepreneur everyday. Someone is doing hair, makeup, starting a new clothing line, a candle business, catering, etc. It was always something new and everyone was bound to have a side hustle. Coming from my background, I never thought I would be where I am today, and I will always shoutout TSU for creating such like minded individuals who are very goal oriented. On top of TSU, I also made and met some great people there. They are hustle supporters and always will be. People don’t always have to buy from you to support, so they will share and post about it, and knowing that your have that support system behind you is always what gives that extra push to keep going harder.

Website: www.dbdhaircare.com

Instagram: @daybydai._

Facebook: Day By Dai Haire Care

Image Credits
Portraits by Perry and Romeo Adkins