We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rasheeda T. Banks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Rasheeda, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
I take pride in immersing myself into my craft which builds an astonishing brand for myself . I give 140% of my energy and enthusiasm to every event I work. Having that versatility allows you to always be number one (that first selection). Investing into classes and researching the material behind your craft will always give you the lead even with hundreds or thousands of people doing the same thing. It’s the amazement on their faces I enjoy when they realize I got myself here without handouts or “industry people speaking on your behalf ” that says a lot about your ambition and dedication to your craft(s). That alone makes me and what I do unique from the rest.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I Rasheeda T Banks originally started my entrepreneurship career within the entertainment industry as a Rapper with EB’s Finest E.N.T back in 2009, which was established by my mother (Glenda Banks) the Founder as well as my dad (Leon Banks) the Co-Founder. Early on my mother started to realize my passion was in fashion and not music and began to put me into fashion shows with her guidance.
Time was then taken as I became a mom at the age of 24 and Motherhood immediately became my priority. My drive became more aggressive for modeling after the birth of my son. For the last 12 years, I began working as a versatile model. I am and have been a freelance model for my entire modeling career. I not only have a huge passion for the Runway but I love being in front of the cameras.
I have done countless podcast interviews, fashion, swimwear, lingerie photo shoots, and fashion shows, but I also enjoy creative projects like bodypaint and even underwater shoots. Some of my biggest accomplishments involved working for Uncle Murder the Rap Artist, shooting with Anthony Anderson, and Charity Fashion Show events one, in particular, was for Haiti, two of my biggest shows were BoujieBoutique Paris Fashion Week, Los Angeles TME Fashion Week, Making it to the TimeSquare Billboards as well as being published in several Magazines.
Still having those close connections within the music industry allowed me to Embark on the music industry which opened opportunities to become a video vixen in Music videos. This allowed me to extend my skills to dancing. My first appearance as a dancer was in music Artists Rah Banks’ (my younger brother’s) ” For Ya Love” music video. I then gained the opportunity to work with Nadeem Waheed also known as Daniels Leather located in NYC. Not only did we become close friends but I also continued to work for him as one of his models. He creates many of the best Fur and leather coats for everyone including celebrities such as Remy Ma, Yandy, Noreaga, Lil Meech, and many more.
My involvement in the community started when I became involved in OYST as a mentee back in 2011 and since then it has transformed into “Forever Girls Inc” which both were founded by Takeisha also known as Ms. Truth (my mentor). Forever Girls produced some of the State of New Jersey’s most elite leaders within the many industries to give one-on-one mentoring to young and older teens. Having this safe place for them allows us to provide adequate resources per mentee needs. FGI is driven by a single goal and that’s to make the world a better place for all. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their abilities and gain the confidence to fulfill their potential. In 2022 I became one of the mentors in the “Beauty & Brains” department for the Forever Girls Inc Organization.
My involvement in the community continues today in 2023 as a Model Coach for Bella Bebe Models (Bellaversity) which is founded by Kendra. Kendra is a self-taught adult/children’s apparel designer and mentor also. Kendra has developed a community program that provides a Safe space for young girls to enjoy the world of fashion while being part of a sisterhood focused on positivity & community service.
I have expanded my experiences into acting. I’ve played as an extra actor in many popular TV Shows such as Law & Order, Power Book III “Raising Kanan”, Power Book II “Ghost” and also Dr. Death. Having the ability for versatility as a model makes me the perfect fit for many different projects and that alone is what uniquely allows me to stand out from the rest. I bring my energy and passion to every project I work on. I must say, It’s amazing to be booked for one role and to have your role be changed on set to a feature role; it’s like getting a promotion sort of speak. God is first in everything I have done and will do, continuously making me realize that “what’s for me, will always be for me” and there is nothing I cannot accomplish and master without my hard work, dedication, and prayer.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Being able to accept the most critiquing comments and not replacing it with emotions.
Holding yourself at a high confidence level no matter who maybe in the same room as yourself
. Understanding the difference of your career choice being a job and a passion will determine the longevity in which your career will go.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
To mention one person would not suffice to the help I have received when overcoming challenges or building and developing the essential skills. My son (Malachi Davis), parents (Ebony Banks and Leon Banks also including their record label EB’s Finest E.N.T), my mentor (Takeisha Stewart also including FGI Inc), Kendra ( CEO of BellaBebe & Bellaversity Models), Nadeem (Celebrity Fur & Leather Store -Daniels Leather), Tyneice (Boujie Boutique) as well as my best friend Antoinette Halley. The support from my siblings, Family & Friends who have traveled to support me or have shared my work and creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rasheedatmodelsme.com
- Instagram: Rasheeda.tbanks
- Other: https://www.aliveshoes.com/t-banks-3
Image Credits
Photographer C. Murray
