We had the good fortune of connecting with Lanisha Javon Gholston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lanisha Javon, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
This is a rather simple life lesson that keeps presenting itself to me over and over again. Faith. Faith is what keeps me going. God speaks to me through my ups and my downs. I often have to remind myself ALL of which he has brought me through. I went to war fresh out of college in my 20s, for 367 days. I made it back home, something I don’t take too lightly. He covered me and my company every day! Before every mission, we would pray the 23rd Psalm “The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want” ! You know the rest. Fast forward to just 4 years ago when I was at my lowest, God said MOVE, literally and figuratively. He aligned the right blessings, opportunities, and people to cross my path. I was obedient and I let him lead. He has lead me here to where I am today at this right moment. I believe I am supposed to be here too. It feels so right and so comfortable. I was so uncomfortable before, something HE will do when it’s time for a change. Even throughout these last 4 years, it hasn’t all been rainbows and sunshine. He allowed certain uncomfortable situations to shift me to where I needed to be and in the midst of that, I had to keep reminding myself of everything I had previously gone through and how he has KEPT me through it all!! My favorite bible verse is also the numbers of my birthday, Numbers 6:24 “May God Bless Thee and Keep Thee” ! I am a firm believer in this scripture. HE is how I know whether to keep going or give up. Praise God for loving me!!!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is storytelling. Nothing new that you don’t already see all the time. I haven’t really figured out what sets me a part from others. I try to be as authentic as I can in every audition or performance and I still have my southern accent. I’m most excited about my future projects. I have no idea what they are or when they’re coming, but I just know they are coming and will be a great fit for me. I believe that there’s this perfect role being written for me by someone who doesn’t even know I exist yet. I came to New York almost 4 years ago by accident. Had no plans on coming here when God told me to MOVE both literally and figuratively. MY plans were to go to ATL because I have always admired Mr. Tyler Perry and his work. My dream role is to be on one of his shows. Even still to this day. Just goes to show you that your ways aren’t always God’s way. There is a reason God sent me here even with all of the heartache that came with it. I had no plans, no foundation, no training, no connections, no housing, no money, no family, no friends, no job…. God turned all of those “no’s” into “yes’s” immediately! I had to go through what I went through in order to be here today. I had to listen, be obedient, and MOVE when he said MOVE. He aligned the right opportunities and people up for me, I just had to stay the course. It was not easy. Every time I wanted to give up and quit, he’d remind me how far he’d brought me and he would throw me a lifeline to keep on holding on. Everything lined up perfectly. I am at the best place in my life mentally, physically, and spiritually. I’ve learned to just BE STILL and TRUST GOD more and more each day. Everything is not perfect every day, but my spirit is calm, my heart is pure, and the desires of my heart keep manifesting! I tell anyone with a beating heart, that has a dream, to chase that dream daily! Wake up with a purpose and determination to fulfill that dream no matter what. LIFE will throw curves in YOUR plans but if you just TRUST GOD, he will make all of your dreams come to pass, on his timing though. Don’t be in a rush. Enjoy every little nuisance that will come with this dream chasing. There’s a lesson in everything. Work HARD, Dream BIG, and NEVER GIVE UP!!! There is no time limit on this. It stops when you stop. Even still, its gonna continue to wake you up at night until you give it your all. TRUE STORY.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I live in NEW YORK so there is always so much to do here. We’re definitely hitting the subway and walking around the city to all of the five boroughs. I tell all of my friends to bring some good tennis shoes because we’re going to be walking a lot! LOL We will definitely get some authentic NY cuisine. My favorite soul food restaurants are in Harlem – Amy Ruth’s and Sylvia’s. Gotta get some “street meat” from the food carts and some Junior’s Cheesecake. Most definitely, we have to see a Broadway play in Times Square. I’d also take them on a bit of a African American history tour. This place is filled with historic jewels like in Central Park and the Weeksfield Heritage Center. I know my friends would want to go shopping, so 5th ave we’d hit up. Once this pandemic is over and they start opening up studios again, I know my ladies would love to go see a live taping of a talk show like Strahan, Sara and Keke or Wendy Williams. For my guy friends, we’d hit the Gardens or the Barclay Center, depending on who’s playing, after getting them a cut from Russ Smith’s father’s barbershop in Harlem (Russ Smith played for my alma mata, the University of Louisville, so he’s a pretty big deal for us). I’m a lover of tattoos, so if they’re down, we could hit up one of the Black Ink tattoo parlors. I definitely wouldn’t mind a sunset cruise around the harbor. Ole Lady Liberty would be beautiful to see at night. I keep a running list in my phone of several different places in each borough so my tour could very well last the whole week. LOL I love interacting with my New Yorkers. The culture here is amazing!! I want everyone to experience this NY love. I am not that much of a club goer any longer, nor do I frequent bars. But I’m all for experiencing with them the night life that the city has to offer like Jimmy’s 38 or the 40/40 club. Especially if it’s around a holiday, but NY never sleeps, so you don’t need a reason to come here and celebrate whatever!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shout out to my home city of Louisville, Kentucky, who has been a tremendous blessing and support to me. From the very beginning of my acting journey, they have been rooting for me nonstop! When I needed to raise the money to pay for my SAG-AFTRA union membership, I humbly asked for some help and they showed out! No questions asked. They donated more than I could have ever asked for. Whenever I am on television, they always support by watching, sharing, and sending their love. They stay praying over and for me. My community will always have my unconditional LOVE!!! Secondly, I’d like to dedicate my shout out to my amazing ride or die friends that have been there from the start, back when I was doing local theatre in Louisville to my current projects. They would show up to my performances and be my biggest cheerleaders. A gesture that they still do today!! They bless me with their continuous friendship, love, and prayers. I couldn’t ask for a greater support system!! I love you all!! Lastly, but definitely not least, GOD. I don’t have enough words to say THANK YOU FATHER for your love, guidance, mercy, protection, discipline, and your shoulder to cry on.

Instagram: @actresslanishajavon
Youtube: Lanisha Gholston – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvvw2JTUp0NPt54UT1c5E9w
Other: Email: lanishagholston_actress@yahoo.com Reel: https://vimeo.com/406911172 IMDb: http://m.imdb.com/name/nm8721925/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Actor’s Access: http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/lanishajavongholston Casting Networks: http://www.castingnetworks.com/LanishaGholston