Meet Khrys Styles | Media Personality; Actress; Activist; Philanthropist and More

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

Hi Khrys, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I can’t say I intentionally pursued a career in the arts or entertainment. To be honest, I always say that I popped out of the womb and said ‘ta-daaaa’, my life is a stage. I believe being a creative is just in my veins. I’ve always been the ‘entertainer’ in the family. Arranging talent shows in the backyard; writing songs and poetry. I was always the student that wanted to read out loud or I would practice reading the labels on everything under the sink using different inflections as I watched myself in the mirror. My first taste of life as an actress was when I was 5. I was selected to star in a series of children’s books, then to direct the Police Orchestra and the rest is history. I used to think I was the only one in my family with the ‘performance bug’ until I was an adult and learned that both my parents had been in entertainment. My father sang in a group and my mother was a showgirl!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I established OneBlkWmn Entertainment in 1998. I wanted to highlight media & entertainment in the black community. I provide professional, engaging, and entertaining red-carpet and event coverage; interviews; voice-overs; .copy-writing; editing; hosting to individuals, organizations, and companies. I’ve been hired as a spokesperson; trainer; coach and more.I create content for my media outlet known as W.O.B.W. (World of OneBlkWmn) I was working as a radio personality when I realized that people wanted my voice. I was doing people’s voicemails; commercials, and hosting for free when I realized I could generate income doing what I love, from there, OneBlkWm Entertainment was born.

The name actually ‘OneBlkWmn’ came from me trying to think of a unique vanity plate for my new car. I thought, ‘why not express who you are?’ Obviously, I am one black woman, right? I can’t be anyone else if I tried. I would get looks and positive comments about my tags, From there, my brand was born and I’ve been known as OneBlkWmn since the ’90s.

What sets me apart from others? I find that in this business, people work under a facade. Not me, I pride myself on being genuine & respectful with every person I work for and with. I’ve honed my skills as a television & media personality for over 20 years working for TWC; the Bounce Network and others. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing the likes of Forrest Whittaker; Angela Bassett; Michael Ealy; Aaron Paul; Tony Grant; Morris Chestnut; Taraji P Henson; Sarah Paulson; Bootsy Collins; Mary J; Tyrese; Jennifer Hudson, Shirley Murdock; New Editions’ Ron Devoe; Cameo; Yolanda Adams; the legendary Temptations; Donna Summer; & other old-school artists; to Mayors; Governors; other politicians & dignitaries like Andrew Young to a multitude of small business owners and the public as a whole.

At one point, I thought I wanted to pursue a career with a local station in Cincinnati so I reached out to a colleague and one of the most respected news personalities in the city, It was he who told me that my personality and creativity were too big to be put into the box which is what would happen if i was working in network news in Cincinnati. He told me to continue on my path doing my thing my way. That advice really encouraged me to cover/report entertainment from my own perspective. In today’s social climate, authenticity is key. I was super insecure about my looks so I started working in radio where the only thing that mattered was my voice. After about 5 years, I hesitantly crossed over to television and now I’ll don’t think i’ll ever leave. lol. I actually started my career in the arts when I was just 5 years old when I did my first film, although I must admit, the stage is my first love. Yes, I’m also a seasoned and award-winning commercial, stage, and film actress. Iv’e toured with several staged productions including; ‘Someone to Love Me’ ‘What A Woman Wants’; ‘I Used To Be A Church Girl’; and trapped. I’ve also done regional and national commercials as well as starring in some Indy films like’ “Mission to Heal” for the US Army; “The Unfortunate Faces of Portia Dupree” where I played a living doll, (super fun); Sony Pictures “UFO” where I played opposite Academy Award Nominee David Strathairn; and “Grandmas Hands’ the stage tour which I was awarded “Best Actress” right here in Atlanta and I also starred in the movie version. So moving to Atlanta 6 months ago only made sense for me.

One of my biggest challenges with deciding to pursue a career in entertainment was my insecurities, in other words, I held myself back a lot. Yes, there is a lot of competition in this business but not believing you’re good, small, or even pretty enough will keep you at the bottom for a long time. I have realized that I have no right to withhold the gifts and talents that God gave me because of fear! We all know He didn’t give us that, right? Truth is what’s meant for me will be mine.

One of my greatest accomplishments has been launching the non-profit organization The K.A.S.S.I.E. Project, a non-traditional, non-clinical healing initiative for survivors of sexual & domestic abuse. In 2000, one of my closest friends, Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Betts became a tragic victim of domestic violence. The last time I saw her alive was at the babyshower she threw for me. I didn’t know that she was in that situation until the trial. Although I was angry that she didn’t share her story with me, I was guilty of keeping my truth from her as well. It was after her murder that I realized that there needed to be an outlet for those of us who have been affected by power-based personal violence for us to use, share and heal from our voices and truths. I say ‘our’ because I’m a survivor of childhood rape and domestic violence as well. There are resources to help us out of the situation but who is looking after our long-term mental health? I wanted to keep Cassies’ name alive so I branded the organization after her with the acronym K.A.S.S.I.E.- ‘Keeping All Survivors Safe Informed & Emancipated’. It starts with ‘K’ because my name starts with a ‘K’. I combined our names to keep us connected always. God gave me the vision it seems overnight! We launched in 2012 and we even have our own awareness ribbon. It’s white for childhood molestation/rape survivors (me) with purple multi-sized polka-dots for domestic violence (Cassie). The multi-sized dots on the ribbon mean that sexual & domestic abuse can happen to anyone at any time. This ministry is an outlet for survivors by survivors to build a community of support for one another on their journey to healing. The KA.S..S.E. Project meets survivors where they are, literally by taking our couch to where the survivor feels safest sharing their stories. I meet with each and every individual who says they are ready to ‘Share…Heal…Live… and work to eliminate the cycle of abuse. We’ve taken the couch to the steps of the courthouse, bridges, football fields, bookstores, and more. Once that survivor finishes sharing, they autograph the couch to promise themselves to move into a healthy life after abuse. No, it was not easy to share my story with the masses. However, after being invited to join publisher Ericka Gilchrist and a collection of other women for the anthology ‘Women Thriving Fearlessly, vol 3’, I had to come to terms with some very painful stuff. My chapter was entitled ‘Debilitating Silence’ I’ve since recognized that being a conduit for others helps me heal as well. As we know, healing is a life-long journey. I use my talents as a media personality along with my gifts of empathy and compassion to create and maintain spaces for others to heal. I’m humbled to say that The K.A.S.S.I.E. Project has 4.5 couches full of signatures.

Once I launched the project, I realized that my passion had met my purpose! As an actress, I had been using my gifts and talents to help me heal from my past when I realized that I was not alone. I decided to reach others like myself and Cassie through the same platform, the arts. That’s when “Healing Thru The Arts’ was born. another extension of The K.A.S.S.I.E. Project. Honestly, I could probably talk about this all day so I invite your readers to visit us at www.iamkassie.org. I am looking to collaborate with other agencies that have a passion to support surthrivers of abuse. I use the word ‘surthriver’ because we are still here.

I want the world to know that Surthrivers of abuse deserve to be heard, believed, and supported. That our voices matter and we all need to be able to recognize the signs, stigmas, and effects of sexual & domestic violence on our communities as a whole. I want the world to recognize and wear our white & purple polka-dot ribbon proudly to bring awareness to the need for mental health care and healing in our communities. #shareheallive.

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.
Atlanta has so much to offer! I’ve only lived here for 6 months however there are a couple of places that I have come to frequent. Our first stop would be JeJu Wellness Spa, on a weekday because it can get pretty busy. OMG the cucumber body scrub is something to be experienced. Before moving here, I would come down to Atlanta solely to go to the spa then fly back home to Cincinnati, lol Because the spa is open 24 hours, no telling how long we’d spend in the Igloos, so of course, that will be an entire days event.

The next day I would take them to the New Black Wallstreet Market. I have been so amazed at the variety of talents the business owners have there. From the creator of the denim purses & shoes; to Baba G who makes the jewelry that Angela Bassette wore in Black Panther, to the chefs and artists; not to mention the events for all ages. I just love it there.
I’d be sure they drive down so we could visit the Farmer’s Markets and they could stock up on some of the non-perishables they couldn’t get at home.

Of course, we’d schedule their trip during one of the times I was working an event so they could experience the entertainment world in Black Hollywood.

I’d also like to take them to the Brownstone in Eagles Landing. I despise the smell of cigarettes but there is something so relaxing about the smell of cigars, lol crazy huh? The live entertainment there is amazing.

Lastly, we’d probably explore or hike on one of the beautiful trails here as I flaunt this beautiful weather.

I have not found a ‘favorite restaurant’ just yet, so if anyone wants to introduce me to theirs, I’m open.

Outreach is my ministry, it keeps me humble. There is no greater feeling than making another person feel respected and valued. If there is an opportunity to share doing something in the community, that will definitely be on the -to-do list for my visitor. I once washed the feet of the homeless during Maundy Lundi, I’d love to share that experience here in Atlanta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have poured into me and I am so grateful and humbled to have had them during whatever season they served in my life. In the beginning was my Auntie Mae, who positioned me to start my career at 5; My Auntie Diann who nurtured me through my developmental years. My friend Chesta T, who gave me my first radio show and television show ‘Cin-City Flava’ way back in the day, lol My Radio mentors Fred E Redd & the late Everett Cork who pushed & groomed me to become a morning show host and producer. John House, of NXStv, creator of a dynamic music & entertainment show which I had the pleasure of hosting for almost 20 years. NXStv gave me opportunities and a platform to hone my skills as a host/media personality; interview some amazing actors, actresses, and music icons. John taught me to not be a ‘radio host’ on television. lol. My friend Vernell A. Dillingham of Dillingham Films & Photography has been my cheerleader and videographer for over a decade. Vernell has even pushed me to pursue my passion when I let my fear take over. I have to publicly say ‘Thank You’ to him for being very instrumental in staging my relocation to Atlanta. My babies for allowing me space to pursue my passions. To numerous others including Terrie Bea & the late Bishop Jerome McIntosh who trusted me with their visions. I must give a shout-out to one of my closest friends, The late Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Betts whose murder at the hand of domestic violence pushed me to launch The K.A.S.S.I.E. Project, a platform to give survivors of sexual & domestic abuse a voice. (iamkassie.org) Most importantly GOD, who has given me my passion and anointed d me with purpose. He gave me these gifts and talents to help heal the world.

Website: www.iamkassie.org

Instagram: oneblkwmn_wobw or kassieprjct

Linkedin: Khrystian Styles

Twitter: @oneblkwmn

Facebook: facebook.com/oneblkwmn facebook.com/thekassieproject

Yelp: @oneblkwmn

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/oneblkwmn

Other: Honestly, the easiest way to find both The K.A.S.S.I.E. Project and myself is to just Google my name. Sometimes I can’t even keep up with all that I’ve done or do lol. Also if you have volunteer needs for community outreach, please let me know. I appreciate you taking your time to learn a little more about who I am, why I am, and what I do. Thank you Shouout Atlanta for giving me a voice in a new town.

Image Credits
Dillingham Film & Photography; John House; The K.A.S.S.I.E Project