Meet Shala.

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shala.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shala. below.

Shala., so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Well, I think being a Black eccentric in America gives you a lot of practice standing out, even among other Black people. You know the saying, ‘If you’re lucky enough to be different…’? I embraced that way early on, maybe as a way to confront and challenge the bullying. Funny how it’s called ‘bullying’ now. You get used to being an outsider everywhere, so being Black in White spaces becomes almost irrelevant. Honestly, I found the weird White kids and multicultural hipster spaces way more comfortable after that. It taught me that fitting in with the misfits actually fit me best.

Being the only one in the room eventually stopped feeling like a disadvantage and started feeling like an opportunity—a chance to stand out and rewrite the narrative. I was repping the renegades and outsiders in those rooms. I’ve learned to see my perspective as a kind of superpower, offering insights others might miss. This idea that ‘You’re always winning the game you play’ has been pivotal for me. I ask myself: What game am I unconsciously playing? Am I trying to validate some disempowering belief? Once I realized I could choose my game, I started using my work to challenge expectations and lead with authenticity, turning what makes me different into something that inspires and drives progress.

Now, I thrive on being a disruptor. I’m a professional creator and thought leader. I use my work to translate big ideas into something relatable and compelling. My approach isn’t about blending in; it’s about making the space better for everyone by being original.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a Nigerian solar artist. I basically make solar murals and sculptures that generate electricity. I was told that I’m the lovechild of Solarpunk and Afropunk. They gave me up for adoption. Anyone reading this. if you love me, look ’em up and send them this article. I want it to hurt.

I’ve grown up to do pretty well for myself. I’ve won a few innovator awards for my work but I am mostly known for The Bronzeville Solar Pyramid I built in Chicago. It’s a 15-foot-tall public landmark clad with my art-rendered solar panels. It generates power during the day and illuminates at night. As my work is starting to mature, I find myself sitting at the intersection of art, sustainability and innovation as an advocate for climate action. It’s a cool place to be. I get to speak globally about my work and environmental justice. I’m creating environmental justice and economic development using the influence of art, tech, and counterculture . . . powered by the sun.

It’s kinda sexy.

I’ve worked with some really big logos and have exciting projects in development. One I’m especially thrilled about is the creation of the first living solar mural. It integrates solar panels with a living green wall. It will be featured on Procter & Gamble’s Global Innovation Center. I’m also working on an incredible community project with LUMA Energy. My work will be incorporated into the rebuild of Puerto Rico’s power grid. The indigenous and cultural components of that build are particularly inspiring. It’s going to be a cool story, if the work isn’t banned by the Deep State! (Shala. laughs)

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?

My curiosity, creativity and determination have been vital! My curiosity is the engine for my creativity—it’s what drives me to explore and discover the ideas that fuel my work. Creativity, in turn, is what attracts opportunities and opens doors. It pulls the goals closer to me, closing the gap and making the journey less daunting. Plus, it keeps the process fun and exciting.

Determination is what keeps me grounded and focused. Even on days when I’m on bullshit, it’s made pursuing my ideas a deeply ingrained habit. I work on my dreams every single day—I can’t help it. Determination is really the engine that drives it all.

Fail fast and fall up.

Advice for people starting out? Go beyond the product—use your platform to create impact that transcends consumption. True, people will buy what you make, but people buy-into why you make it. That’s the soul of sustainability, right? Make sure your work is sustainable.
Oh and surround yourself with people who have strengths you don’t have. Be really intentional about developing good habits and stay curious about everything. Do those things and you can’t lose. It’s a cheat code. Success becomes a matter of time. It’s cool because along the way, you’ll achieve small wins that build up so naturally that, by the time you reach your goal, you won’t even know you’re there! Your fans will have to tell you.

Over and over again, because, you know . . . imposter syndrome.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m always looking for people to partner with and collaborate with. Growth is all about building relationships and exchanging value. That said, I collaborate strategically. Honestly, my most successful partnerships have been with people who aren’t artists. I’ve worked with companies like Leafly, Nissan, and Lululemon. I feel like sometimes we, as artists, get stuck in the self-centered nature that comes with being a creative. We miss the bigger picture.

Solar murals and sculptures are a vehicle for democratizing power. They are our way to leverage art for environmental and economic justice. For me, it’s ultimately about being a platform.

The people who’ve inspired me most didn’t just make things—they created culture, new mediums, and waves. They made space for alternatives to thrive. They always ushered in something new. That’s success to me: not just how many ideas I can bring to life, but how many other trespassers I can let in once I’m on the other side. What new movement can I start?

Hopefully, we save the earth in the process.

Hit [email protected] or me @followshala if you’re into it. Lead with a compliment. I might be having an insecure day.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photographer credits (in order of appearance): Mariah Naella for King & Opal featuring Benson, Frank Ocean, London Pacific, Olusola Akintunde.

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