Tag Archives: nisiseyes

Blog

Through the Eyes of NiSi: Episode 1-Say Thank You

The Brown Family (From left to right: Nick, Mom, Tina, Dad, NiSi)

DID YOU MISS THE 1ST SHOW?!?!?! Whether you were there for it or catching up here, thank you so much for being apart of my journey. Ya girl had no idea that I’d be going to radio but here we are. Here is where we can continue the conversation. Ask questions, provide feedback, network and connect.

Let’s Recap!

So, on Episode 1, I left my screen door open a little bit to help you get to know me and to also say thank you to who has been apart of my journey thus far.

I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (yes there are black people there). My family is my everything! You’ll learn more about them as you get to know me. In case you know somebody that might know somebody; I went to Keefe Ave, Samuel Morse Middle, Rufus King, and Milwaukee School of Entrepreneurship. I grew up dancing with Deva Houston and Ko-Thi Dance Company, I was involved in community theatre, singing and ushering in church, modeling in department store fashion shows. My parents put me in summer programs to expose me to different occupations and career paths. I was always doing something (not much has changed now) but that opened my eyes to the possibilities.

On the show, we talked about poetry and how I got my start with Haiku’s in school. In elementary school, the first poem I learned was ‘Hey Black Child” by Useni Eugene Perkins. Eventually I got the chance to hear poetry at The Mecca, Still Waters Collective on the mic… I listened to Jessica Care Moore on Apollo and was mesmerized. I sat and listened to Sonia Sanchez while at Bennett College. After putting it down for a while, Lyrics and Love brought my joy of poetry back to the forefront.

Share your Haiku in the comments.

Remember:

First line is 5 syllables, Second Line- 7 syllables, Third Line- 5 syllables.

Here’s a quick one:

Listen to me now

Broadcasting my life’s journey

Through my eyes, NiSi

OPEN MICS (VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON). Copy the links to find out more information:

Open Mic at the Tavern– Hosted by Shante Renee: Tuesdays @ 8pm EST(Greensboro, NC)- https://www.facebook.com/100000926207755/videos/1215161338968666/

Sayword– Wednesdays @ 8pm EST(Haze Bar & Lounge; Charlotte, NC)

Lyrics & Love Tuesday Greensboro Elm Street Lounge. Hosted by IzReal the Poet @ 8pm EST (Greensboro, NC)- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lyrics-love-tuesday-greensboro-elm-street-lounge-tickets-220332690007

2TeamEnt SAY IT(Live and on IG)- Wednesdays @ 9pm EST- https://www.instagram.com/p/CWXAR5oMSCD/

Deja Vu Open Mic and Spokenword (Instagram)- Thursdays 8pm MST/ Saturdays at 7pm MST- https://www.instagram.com/dejavuopenmicandspokenword/

Lyrics & Love – Wednesdays @ 7pm EST(Section at Recess; Charlotte, NC)- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lyrics-love-wednesday-section-nicki-minaj-vs-cardi-b-edition-tickets-221964209927

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH AT 10AM EST- EPISODE 2- SAY THANK YOU CONTINUED

(right click the Play button to listen live)

https://www.canva.com/design/DAExcmKdpJE/view
Blog

April showers bring may flowers!

Leave a comment

4 months into 2019 and what have I accomplished? I’m still trekking forward to building more and more clientele because being a Makeup Artist is truly a passion of mine. As many of my followers know, I love the arts; anything to do with beauty and entertainment- I’m in! I have some things brewing and I believe they will come into fruition…just wait and see!

In January, I jumped in the water and auditioned for a play with Legacy Theatre Productions. I hadn’t been on the stage in an acting role since 2011 maybe. I’ve had a couple scenes in some amazing films such as, “It Takes A Village” and “It Takes A Village 2;” but the instant gratification of being on the stage is a totally different thing. I was cast as Roberta in “Sistas: The Musical,” it felt so good to be on that stage. I loved my character and I love my cast. Roberta is a ‘no nonsense, I don’t care what you think, I’m going to tell you how it is’ kind of character. She says what is on her mind and means every part of it. I was able to connect with some amazing ladies with amazing talents. K. Alana, Gbale, Khalilah, Tiffany J and Dara connected from the very beginning and most definitely have a Sistahood. We received direction by Kenya Phifer- Jones and we all have such an amazing bond that can never be broken. Big thanks to Sydnii, Ms. Laverne, Aundrea, and all of the others who had a hand in putting this sold out show up.

You know a canvas is never too far away, so of course I still had clients. I was working from 9-530, running to Sistas rehearsal and keeping clients’ appointments on the weekends until show time. I am so appreciative of my clients! Those that travel to me and those that I hit the road for. You are truly appreciated!

Going from March to April has given me time to rest and see what’s next for me. I’ve had time to chill with my son and my sister, and bounce ideas of here and now and what future goals still have to be obtained. NiSi’s Eyes Makeup Artistry is booking for the rest of April and June. If you need an appointment for any time this year or 2020, I suggest you go ahead and #BookMeNow!

Two weeks from now (April 22nd), I will begin my 37th Chapter on this earth. What oh what shall I do? I’ve gotten thoughts for a photo shoot, party, travel; money plays apart in it all. Please provide some ideas, I’d love to hear them.

May 18th, I’ll be hitting the runway with my son for the Summer Daze Fashion Show, it’s been a while but it feels good to strut my stuff. 2018’s Ms. Full Figured NC 1st Runner Up is rocking the runway for the full figured ladies and showing that even after you gain the title of “Mom,” you don’t lose your phenomenal woman inside.

Thank for your continued support! If you’d like to see me start my YouTube videos back up or have questions or need tutorials on certain things, please comment and let me know.

April Showers bring May flowers…new clients, new experiences, new look, new dreams.

Blog

Self- Love Finale (June 2018)

24. List 24 things that make you smile…

My son, live music, great surprises, being in love, makeup artistry, food, seeing my client see their transformation, helping someone in need, modeling, comedy, accomplishing something, newborns discovering, people that underestimate me, seeing my family after a short/long time, my favorite artists in concert, when I receive reviews, when I receive referrals, seeing love, seeing my students perform and excel, a great massage, stress free vacation, fun times with my bestie, fun times with my sis, seeing my name tagged on great photos of clients and/or myself.

25.  My favorite quote is…

“Beauty awakens the soul to act!”  You see it on everything associated with my business  because I believe it to be true.  I doesn’t necessarily have to mean outwardly beauty, it could mean the inner beauty, the inner kindness that inner energy that exudes from person to person that travels.  When you feel that positivity or someone smiles at you and you instantly feel a little better, it helps someone else.  In my business and in life; when you look good, you feel good- wake up and make a change even if it is a small ripple effect.

26.  What does self love mean to you?

Self love means loving yourself enough to accept you with no makeup on, flaws and all.  Love yourself when you make mistakes or when you feel as if you are on top of your game.  Accept you when you are behind closed doors or in front of paparazzi and love yourself through it all.  

27.  What positive changes have happened in the last year?

I have become more open to risks, as scary as they are- I have taken a leap.  I have started working in my passion of being a full time makeup artist.  I am in my #journeytothecrown for Ms. Full Figured NC.   I am in transition of moving to Charlotte.  I am…

28.  I deserve happiness because…

I deserve it!  Why not?

29.  What are 5 things you are grateful for this week ?

I am grateful for family, life, a place to lay my head, employment, grace/mercy.

30.  How will you make next month a great month?

Continue to be migraine free, work towards my goals of becoming Ms. Full Figured NC (if you’d like to support my journey by donation and/or sponsorship, please click the link: https://www.gofundme.com/denises-journey-to-msffnc-crown).   I will be working within my platform, assisting young and mature ladies in becoming the best versions of themselves.  I will also be settling in Charlotte, NC and networking and making that my new home so any referrals , send them my way.

Blog

Self- Love Continued…

16.  What do you look and feel like when you are most confident?

When I am most confident comes in 2 forms, one when I can sit and just be myself, flaws and all.  However, I am at my most confident when I have slayed my makeup, my waist is snatched and everything is in it’s place.  In those moments of my flaws and all, the insecurities can creep in, sometimes when you’re slayed, they can creep in but you have to know that you are beautiful no matter what and accept you in whatever version you are.  The one that’s a work in progress, which tends to be most often or in the moments where you feel like you are your absolute best.  Be confident and accept you for you, flaws and all, behind the foundation or not.  You are you by what’s in your heart.

17.  What is something you do better than your peers?

This is a hard one to answer.  I’d say patience and/or thinking before I speak.  There are a lot of things that I take my time with  or that I’m not quick to react on.  Sometimes that saves me and sometimes I should’ve said what’s on my heart.  However, depending on who is on the other side of it most likely changes if I need to sit and think a while first.  They say if ‘you think long, you think wrong’ but that gives me time to weigh pros and cons and and the many different scenarios that could come from it.  All in all, you have to do what is best for you, but sometimes the biggest last word is the one not said.

18.  Name 5 traits that make you a good person?

Patient, Friendly, Helpful, Nice, Loving 

19.  Free write [positive]

Blessings.  Sometimes you just have to stop and live.  This weekend was technically not the best time to go away for a weekend get away.    My life is changing, I am starting a new job on Monday in a new city and need to be getting some things in order (not to say that those things aren’t happening while I’m away).  But when life is constantly in your face, sometimes you need to step away and just breathe.  I have a lot that is changing and it can definitely be overwhelming and I am so blessed to have people in my life to help me step away from it or help me conquer it.  I am very thankful for all of the people that help me navigate life.  A lot of things are being thrown at me quickly and Im working on catching all of the fast balls but sometimes they are ground balls and I have to pick them up but nevertheless, I get to them and we find a way to not strike out if possible because we have people watching our back.    So as I sit in Daytona Beach with the beach in my backyard and the freewill to write this post and a few moments to not think about all of the things that I need to think about…it feels good to just enjoy the moment and the friendships and the family and the raindrops and the hot tub and the food and the sand and the talks and the breaths of fresh air.  I am not perfect and I am learning to be better at everything day by day.  I may not do everything the way that you’d like me to do it or vice versa, or I may not handle each situation the same way you would, we’re all different but just know that I’m doing my best to be the best version of me and continue to grow into a better version of me.  With my new role of working in my passion as a full time Makeup Artist, a may not have the time to get away like this again so I take this moment to just bask in the sunset.

20.  What do you want more of in your life?

I want more love, more travel, more freedom, more living.  We spend so much time living check to check or in between checks that we don’t have time or the freedom to experience all that this world has to offer.  We can’t just get away and live and sit by the beach, run your toes through the sand, try a new food…just experience something new.  When I say love, it doesn’t have to be in a relationship, that would be nice but even just friendships, loving life and the skin I’m in.  Every moment is not promised, live it up, take chances.  

21.  If you were a flower , what kind would you be?

Calla lily, these flowers are associated with purity, faith, youth, and rebirth.  I strive to walk in faith more and not scared faith.  Lately I’ve been working on trusting God more and just walking in faith.  The beauty of this flower and the meaning is truly what I strive for, to be elegant, full of inner and outer beauty, full of faith and purity.

22.  What would make your teenage self- proud of you now?

I think my teenage self would be proud that I have not strayed far from the person I was then.  I am a matured version of that same person with more morals, values and responsibilities.  You couldn’t look at me now and not recognize that person then… same ‘ol NiSi.