Shine Features

CHARE'A SMITH REMINDS US WHY WE'RE ALL WORTHY OF EVOLVING

6/28/2019

The Woman Behind the Black-Owned Business & Brand

Chare'A Smith is the Founder of the non-profit organization, Melanin Girls Club (MGC), which aims to elevate women of diverse hues and cultures through self-love, empowerment, and activism. The platform she's built showcases the dynamic journey of loving who you are despite society's narrow-minded definition of beauty. To further support your journey toward self-actualization, she's created Worthy of Evolving, which is a Self Care Shop filled with original and handcrafted items designed specifically to nourish your mind, body, and soul. These two thriving empowerment brands you see today are a manifestation of everything she's always imagined they would be, and serve as a testament to the power of introspection. I believe it's Chare'A's ability to channel her special talents into a purposeful space that has captured the hearts of many, who like myself, are in constant search of self-discovery, healing, and growth.

For starters, Chare'A is an innately creative individual. She enjoys writing poetry, drawing, and is quite the art curator. She jokingly refers to herself as a "journal hoe" because she keeps three journals on hand to jot down her thoughts, business endeavors, and whatever else sparks her attention as she journeys through everyday life. Similar to many of us, she admits to being an over thinker, but has found ways to channel this energy into regular meditation and reading. In fact, literature was one of her first loves as a child and has greatly impacted her learning experience as a young entrepreneur. Through our conversation, she revealed a secret gem that's practically a life hack everyone should know: Everything you want to know is in a book. Simple as that!

Aside from being wise beyond her years and a gifted visionary, she has a strong educational background that has equipped her with the tools to be a servant to others. Chare'A earned a B.A. in Sociology and African American and African Diaspora Studies from Indiana University. As a result, her education has laid the foundation for her to create two successful businesses that are dedicated to uplifting people who are often forgotten in our communities. In essence, she understands how to guide you to the path that'll require you to do the soul work, so you're not the same person that you were yesterday.

MGC and Worthy of Evolving are the result of a goal Chare'A set on her birthday. She explained to me that she uses her birthdate as a time marker to reimagine her life. Everything that's followed since then, has been what she describes as purpose work. She believes that faith without works isn't an option because it costs far too much to miss out on one's life mission. Her brand is much bigger than an Instagram account, it's about investing energy into people's lives and transforming the way they think. Although her organizations are much lager than herself, I requested that she allow me to shine light on the soul work she's doing within herself and for others, and luckily, she humbly agreed.

Melanin Girls Club, Inc.

Sex. Confidence. Self-love. Peace. Light. MGC nourishes queens (and even kings) with the resources to tap into their highest glow up potential through hosting Self Love Evolution Events and leveraging social media to invigorate free thinking, diversify self-care, and promote activism. She's hosted events centered around art, meditation, and Hip Hop to initiate an open dialogue with men and women about being a creative and an entrepreneur in Indianapolis, IN. Other events she's hosted have focused on divine femininity and sexual freedom through exploring the use of marijuana with meditation in a sisterly environment. In a sense, her efforts to help others vibrationally elevate, borderlines taboo, which is what makes her approach to self-care unique and inherently necessary in a world where we are all navigating how to walk in our truth. One of my favorite initiatives was MGC's Drive for Natural Hair Products and Winter Clothing for homeless and displaced women and children. This event brought to the forefront the reality that shelters receive donations that don't always fully support their demographic, and it's ultimately up to us to be cognizant of this truth and fill that gap. Overall, Chare'A's objective is to move in love and light, and to address the concerns of the community. Rightfully so, her events have flourished in the Indianapolis area and have led to opportunities to bring the self-love evolution nationwide. To stay up-to-date on when MGC will be in a city near you, follow @MelaninGirlsClub on Instagram.

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VISIT MGC

Worthy of Evolving, LLC

Chare'A challenges the fad of self-care by encouraging women to embrace it as a lifestyle. The Worthy of Evolving Self Care Shop offers organic bath tea bombs to help you find peace and be love. She also offers an Evolution Journal Guide to help you invest in yourself through the expression of guided journaling to tap into your higher being. You'll also want to keep an eye out for the return of her Ye' Self Care Boxes, which sell out quickly. My personal favorite is the limited edition Worthy Jewelry line, which incorporates contemporary styles with timeless crystals. This shop will help you achieve a holistic glow that starts from the inside out. Follow @WorthyofEvolving on Instagram to stay current on new products.

shop worthy

VISIT SHOP

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10. What song inspires you?

"Get Up 10" by Cardi B

9. Best advice you've ever recieved?

My cousin told me, "Be like water, float".

8. Finish this statement: Women can ______.

love themselves enough to heal the world

7. One thing you cannot live without?

My journal

6. Most successful way you've found to relieve anxiety?

Writing and meditation

5. Most frequently used emoji?

Sunflower emoji

4. Hardest lesson you've had to learn?

Everything doesn't belong to you. I've learned to practice non-attachment. Sometimes good things aren't yours to have, just like the bad things you gotta let go

3. Your favorite natural hair products?

Right now, Mielle Organics

2. Someone who inspires you?

Rihanna - She's sexy, inspiring, and just herself.

1. What's your why (purpose)?

My purpose is to help solve issues women and the community face by healing it, elevating it, and making it better for future generations. I am a servant to others through my work. If I knew the tools and things that I've learned in this lifetime earlier, I would've been a million years ahead. So I have to give it to the generations behind me now.

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Photography/Videography Credit:
Noelle Woods - https://www.ellewoodscreate.com/
Iceman - https://www.icemangfx.com/

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BRING YOUR CELEBRATIONS TO LIFE WITH BASH! EVENTS CREATOR BRITTNEY BELL

12/27/2018

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When It's Not a Party...It's a Bash!

Many of the monumental moments in our lives are a cause for celebration. Whether you're planning an intimate birthday dinner, your fairytale wedding, or even just looking for customized decor for your annual holiday party, BASH! Events creator, Brittney Bell, has the skills to bring your vision to life. Her countless experiences planning baby showers, birthday parties, graduation celebrations along with her commitment to planning any purpose event, crowns her the queen of special occasions with a DIY twist.

Brittney graduated from Butler University with a BS in Marketing and continued her education at Indiana Wesleyan University where she earned a MS in Strategic Management. With over 14 years of experience in customer service, she's mastered clientele engagement to ensure a stress free planning process that takes into account her client's financial needs and preferred level of involvement

There's a unique authenticity to every bash event. From my firsthand experience, I would attribute it to Brittney's intuitive artistic nature. She executes the logistics, but her niche is customization. She's known for developing mock sketches for centerpeices and party favors, which she then handcrafts for her client's occasions. Keep in mind, she can add the bash touch to anything from retirement parties to not-for-profit fundraisers and everything in between.

With faith the size of a mustard seed, Brittney has turned her longtime dream into a reality by launching her all-purpose event planning startup. She has steadily gained clients through word-of-mouth and social media, but most commonly, it's the guests attending the events that leave asking for her business card. Her work speaks for itself. The only remaining question is when are you going to book your consultation with BASH! Events?

for business inquires:

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I asked Brittney ten random questions in which she was instructed to answer as quickly and concise as possible. Hope you enjoy and find some sweet takeaways.

10. What inspires you?

Love

9. What's the hardest lesson you've had to learn?

To fall

8. What'd you think about Black Panther?

Loved it. Empowering.

7. What does it take to be happy?

Self love

6. What do you wish you knew 10 years ago?

At that time, I would have been 22. [I wish I would have known] how to be self-sufficient. [I would tell my younger self that] it's ok to try to do it on your own and by yourself.

5. What song always puts you in a good mood?

Boy, that would be a lot of songs, but one I was just listening to today is "I'm so Fancy" by Iggy Izalea.

4. What's a deal breaker that's applicable to every relationship in your life?

Non-believer

3. "You are who your friends are," is that saying true?

Not really. Even though I surround myself with other like-minded, positive [people]...we all still have different personalities from one another. It holds true to the extent of the core values that your friends share... For instance, my friend may be adventurous and extroverted but I wouldn't necessarily describe myself to be the same way.

2. What's something that every naturalista needs or should at least try?

Learn to love your hair. Try to be as creative with it and as fun as you can. I have not always liked my natural hair and that's why I press it out a lot. [I had to] learn to love [my curls] by thinking of fun creative ways to wear it instead of always being so frustrated because it's so curly and thick. That took some time to grow on me but now I'm loving it. You gotta have your denman brush/paddle brush, tooth brush for edges (I'm OCD about edges), the right kind of curling pudding, and the best of the best flat iron for when you want to press out the natural hair. I love a good silk press.

1. What is your why (or purpose)?

My purpose is to impact and change others' lives for the better. I strongly feel God has instilled a purpose in me to help others whether it's through planning events, outreach and being a blessing, or philanthropy. I feel like my purpose is...helping people in any way that I can change someone's life for the better. That's what gets to me. That's my heart.

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