Meet NiSi

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to NiSi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi NiSi, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My confidence and self-esteem have developed over time, and honestly, they’re still growing. I strive every day to show up as my full, authentic self, though I’ll admit it’s not always easy. There are still moments when I feel the tension between who I am and who the world expects me to be—but I’ve learned that the work is in the trying. In the daily commitment to return to myself.

The arts have been instrumental in this process. Through theater, painting, makeup artistry, and poetry, I’ve found safe spaces to explore, express, and embrace who I am—flaws, strengths, and all. Creating works like Kintsugi has allowed me to tell stories of healing and imperfection, and in doing so, I’ve given myself permission to do the same in real life.

Mentoring others—especially young women—has also been a mirror for my own growth. I often tell them that they are enough just as they are, and in doing so, I remind myself of that truth. Being part of communities like Bennett College, where empowerment and sisterhood are woven into the experience, laid a foundation that I continue to build on.

So, while I’m still becoming, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. My confidence isn’t about always having it all together—it’s about being willing to keep showing up, keep doing the work, and keep honoring who I truly am.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a multi-creative artist, educator, and mentor whose work is rooted in the power of storytelling, healing, and empowerment. Through my artistic expression—whether on stage, canvas, or in conversation—I create spaces where people, especially women and girls, feel seen, valued, and inspired to embrace who they are.

One of the most meaningful aspects of my work is the intersection between artistry and advocacy. As a theater professional, visual artist, and spoken word poet, I use my platform to tell stories that challenge, uplift, and connect. My paintings—such as Legacy, Kintsugi, and Kiswana Brown—reflect themes of identity, community, resilience, and the beauty in imperfection. They are love letters to Black women, to sisterhood, and to the process of becoming.

I first introduced Designing Women as my platform during the Ms. Full Figured NC pageant, where I was honored to be named 1st Runner-Up. Going through that experience opened my eyes to the impact I was having on the middle school girls I was teaching at the time. I saw how much they noticed even the smallest things—like whether I wore makeup that day—and how they gravitated toward the safe space I created, often staying after school or class just to talk, brainstorm, or simply be themselves without fear of judgment.

That same love, care, and connection carried over into my time at Salem College, where I became like a big sister or auntie figure to many of the young women there. Once again, I found myself in a position to be what they needed—someone to lean on as they navigated life away from their families. They saw in me a safe space, someone they could talk to about anything, even the “TMI” stuff, without fear of judgment. They trusted that my advice came from a place of love, and they welcomed my presence in their journey. Even though I no longer work at Salem, I remain in touch with several students—some who have graduated—because our bond was, and still is, genuine and mutual.

Since then, I’ve continued to build on that foundation with initiatives like Educated Beauty, a promotion that offers discounted makeup services based on GPA—encouraging young women to embrace both their brilliance and their beauty. Looking ahead, I plan to expand this work through Lov’ n Me, the mentoring arm of NiSi’s Eyes, which will focus on helping girls and young women discover their worth, walk in confidence, and live out their truth.

What excites me most right now is the continued blending of my creative and mentoring work. I’m exploring ways to bring my art into new spaces—through exhibits, storytelling workshops, and programs that inspire healing and self-expression. Whether I’m mentoring students, doing makeup, creating visual art, or simply holding space for someone to feel heard, everything I do points back to the same mission: to educate, beautify, and empowHER—one canvas, one young woman, one story at a time.

What’s New:
This year has already been full of exciting milestones. I’m currently featured in several online art exhibits, including the Look at Me Group Exhibition 2025. I’m also developing an upcoming online and in-person makeup course called Building Your Beat, which will teach the fundamentals of makeup while encouraging personal expression and confidence. As a poet, I’ve been featured in the book Letters to Fathers and am one of 42 poets in the new video poetry collection Outdoor Voices in an Indoor World Vol. XVIII by Angry Cow Poetry. And by the end of 2025, I’ll be completing my first major art commission—honoring the seven colleges of Greensboro, NC—that will be displayed in City Hall.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three things really shaped my journey: empathy, resilience, and being creatively flexible.

Empathy has been huge for me — just really listening and understanding where people are coming from. It’s what helped me build trust with the young women I mentor and create spaces where they feel safe to be themselves.

Resilience is something I had to grow, especially when things got tough or I doubted myself. Life and creative work don’t always go as planned, but learning to bounce back and keep going helped me find my way.

And creative flexibility — being open to trying different things like theater, art, poetry, or makeup — kept my work exciting and allowed me to connect with lots of different people.

If I could give advice to people just starting out, I’d say: really work on listening and caring about others, because that connection means everything. Don’t be afraid of setbacks — they’re just part of the process. And be curious! Try different creative things and see what feels right. Your mix of talents is your superpower.

Most of all, be patient and gentle with yourself. It’s a journey, and you’re exactly where you need to be.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was keep me involved and exposed to a wide range of creative experiences. I was always doing something—whether it was being in a play, singing in a choir, taking modeling or dance classes. I even remember visiting a TV and radio station where I got to work behind the scenes, operating the cameras and mics. Those experiences were so formative.

I was also always with my big sister, Tina, so I got to tag along to her choir rehearsals and watch how she carried herself in different environments. It all shaped me. Having my eyes opened to the world of the arts at such a young age planted the seeds for the creative path I’m on now. My parents didn’t just support my interests—they made sure I had opportunities to explore them. That meant everything.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Chelle Photography
Memory Lane Productions 101 LLC
J. Tranai Photography

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