Meet Shu-wonna Gregory-Burkes: Writer & Event Decorator/ Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shu-wonna Gregory-Burkes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shu-wonna, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
As a parent I believe the most important thing I’ve done to impact my children is ” Not Giving Up”. Always educating myself as a business professional/entrepreneur with secular books, classes and surrounding myself with a circle of positive people and positive conversations to help me grow, and always searching for ways to grow and give back so that this “Blessing Seed” keeps maturing. I ALWAYS use EVERY OPPORTUNITY to make TIME and explain a “Life Lesson” with whatever problem they bring to me. Taking time to listen FIRST before I react, I am able to this by making sure that I show my children that no matter what I always maintain a close relationship with Jehovah God and his son Christ Jesus and that in this life you must have a “spiritual maintenance” for yourself in order to deal with others and just life in general. So I provide a spiritual heritage for them, through using the bible when teaching those life lessons, as my parents did with me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
On the professional side I work for Mississippi Department of Corrections as Assistant to Statewide Director of Education, my job is more geared toward promoting education, trades and life skills for those who are incarcerated. Also educating staff on prison reform and our roles within corrections. Personal professional side I am owner of Creative Soul LLC. which is a event decoration and coordination business. This business allows me to not only make happy memories for individuals but it also allows me to give back to the community, with our Creative Soul Student of Excellence Community Scholarship which is awarded to a deserving high school senior.
What I enjoy is taking what I’ve learned in my secular job with dealing with the public and using it in my own business to listen to my clients and sometime having to be empathetic to them yet being stern and straight forward at the same time all while being humble. It hasn’t been easy because not being from the area noticed people in the area are apprehensive until they get to know me. The lessons I’ve learned is to not let anyone devalue my worth, listening is essential and don’t be indecisive about those leaps that are or have taken in your career. I would like the world to know that “I deserve a chance to provide a great service , with dignity, professionalism and loads of fun and establish great relationships with my clients. Every business started somewhere from something mine started with just a little black child having a creative soul.

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.
Being a St. Louis MO native I would take them to our lovely landmarks of the Gateway on the Mississippi, the Arch overlooking the city skylines and also the museum underneath the arch and Union Station. Touring the wonderful works of our City Museum showing off how “trash can become the most inspiring work of art”, the Anheuser Busch plaint for a tour, The Historical St.Louis Zoo ( the only free zoo in our country), Six Flags (for the thrills) Night life in Delmar Loop(variation of diverse activities in this area)- Pink Flamingo for bowling and eating at Blueberry Hill owned by late Chuck Berry. Do some dancing at Europe Night Club, Jazz St.Louis or Tin Roof. Listen to some poetry at STL BLUE, check out some fine dinning at The Best Steak House or Hodaks Irish Pub. Skating “Skate King”. Hit up some White Castles or Chinese food at Mandarin Inn, IMOs Pizza, the Planetarium. I could go on! My hometown defines me fearless and yet diverse, the most fun things that I have experienced is stepping into new activities from other cultures example : salsa dancing, Jamaican dance hall being with people who aren’t afraid to live laugh and love EVERYDAY !!! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Special recognition to Jehovah for giving me all the talent and skill ability to do what I do, my family and friends who have and still are walking with me through this journey, they have been my cheerleading squad, my inspiration and driving force ( all of them in their own special way). Dr. Edna Kingsley, my BSU counselor who saw more in me than just a talented young lady, my nephew James ( Mr, Houze) for being my muse and pushing me in efforts to do more to be better. Shout out to Poet/Writer Mr. Useni Eugene Perkins author of “Hey Black Child” after reading and reciting these profound words in fourth grade this has always been my reminder that I can be and do anything if I put my mind and effort into it.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativeswak?igshid=1wz8ss4621vas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeSoulbySealedwithaKiss/

Other: Email for Creative Soul creativeswak@gmail.com