Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karneshia Shantel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Karneshia, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I believe that I get my resilience from my upbringing. My parents instilled a strong mindset in me at a young age. Early on they taught me that I needed to be able to take care of myself and not rely so heavily on others because someone might not always be there. That in itself taught me resilience to be able to face anything thrown at me. I went through summer camps and countless hours of independence training. I graduated from high school and was able to tackle college with those new found skills. I was on my own for the first time in my like and I was not afraid. I knew that my family had equipped me with both the physical and mental attributes I needed to succeed. I graduated college and moved to a new state where I did not know anyone. I am able to adapt to any situation that presents itself in my life because of my resilience. I thank my parents for that.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Mississippi native and a University of Mississippi graduate who currently resides in Birmingham, AL. Entrepreneurship, modeling, advocacy, writing, and nail artistry only scratches the surface of the many crowns that I wear. I work to promote inclusivity in the media through fashion, entertainment, and advocacy. I have been featured in publications such as The DailyMail, Right This Minute, Sheen Magazine, Ipush Magazine, B-Metro Magazine, Birmingham Times, Voyage ATL, and much more. My main passion is showing just how much representation matters by being that representation for and with people with disabilities. I not only hope to inspire but influence others to live their most authentic life.
More recently, I am working to help make entertainment spaces for accessible so that people with disabilities can go out to events and not feel like an afterthought but feel included in the planning stages. I want us to feel like we are welcomed and belong in these spaces to enjoy live events.
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?
I am intelligent, attentive, and resourceful. I believe these have been very impactful qualities to have along my journey. The best advice I can give someone else is to always be true to themselves. That will get them farther than they can imagine. Always be willing to grow, learn, and improve yourself.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
The challenge I am currently facing is knowing that I am supposed to be doing more but not exactly knowing what direction to go in. It is a difficult mental space to be in but I know I will figure it out soon. I enjoy learning and growing through life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: k.shantelofficial
- Facebook: Karneshia Shantel
- Linkedin: Karneshia Shantel
Image Credits
Curtis J. Warren II Dave Walker III Teej Gardner Funmi Ford Lenny Thompson
