Today we’d like to introduce you to Ishe.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ishe. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My name is of West African Descent, & in the Shona language of Zimbabwe my name means “Supreme Creator”. I was born & raised in South East San Diego, but I am of West African Descent. My Families Ancestry is predominantly from Cameroon, Mali, Benin & Nigeria, but I also have ancestry from Senegal, Europe & the Philippines.
The meaning of my name epitomizes the essence of who I am. A “Supreme CREATOR”… a Co-Creator with God! I consider myself to be a “Creative Visionary”. I’m an ARTist at heart, & one of my favorite quotes is “Life is an ART & YOU are the Artist”. I’ve dedicated over 20 years to empowering diverse audiences through the Arts & I feel like my purpose is to inspire others to unapologetically embrace & embody their Creativity, Authenticity, Natural Beauty & Self WORTH! I’m also a Writer, Poet, Director, Keynote Speaker, Facilitator and Author/Illustrator of an award-winning children’s book entitled “Sol The Super Hairo”, A Story Celebrating The Glory of Natural Beauty for Children! Available on Amazon! I’m the Co-Author of “I AM”, a book of self-validating affirmations that promote “Self-Love, Self-Esteem & Self-Worth”.
Four years ago, I created a Multigenerational Women’s Empowerment experience titled, Woman’s Worth: Reclaiming Our Divinity & Our Destiny”, that focuses on “Celebrating, Uplifting, Valuing & Validating ALL WOMEN”, & I facilitate it along side my mother Starla & 18 years old daughter YahYah! In 2019, I made my Directorial debut, Directing a video for Hip Hop Artist Choosey & Exile’s Black Beans Album. I fell in love with the experience & directed my 1st short film, KING that same year which is currently featured on REVOLT TV.
My most recent passion project is called “Divine Masculinity”. It’s a Short Film & Visual Poem, Written & Directed by me, & the purpose of it is to “Shift the Narrative around Toxic Masculinity”. I personally got so tired of hearing the term “Toxic Masculinity”, & I started to feel like it was being bombarded into my subconscious, so I consciously wanted to do something about it!
I wanted to do my part, so I decided to highlight masculinity, by affirming that masculinity is “Self Defined, By Design & ultimately, DIVINE!” Divine Masculinity is a celebration of BALANCE, & it pays homage to the Yin & Yang, the natural balance between 2 opposites that live within each other & create something whole! How can I celebrate the Divine Feminine without celebrating the Divine Masculine… when both are SACRED, & both are necessary for the elevation of humanity!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth LOL! Get used to potholes along the way honey! “SELF WORTH” has been a struggle for me along my journey. That’s one of the reasons why I’m such a strong advocate for Self-Worth! I felt abandoned by my father at the age of 4, & I internalized the belief that “If my father didn’t VALUE ME ENOUGH to make sure that I felt loved, safe, protected & provided for… Then I must not be WORTH IT.
Throughout my life, I attracted men who didn’t value me & I felt obligated to love them anyway, even though I knew I deserved better! In the midst of it all, I blossomed into a “Beautiful Woman” … But I was a woman who didn’t believe that “SHE was WORTH the WORK that is required in order to create, sustain, & maintain a healthy relationship”.
One day, it ALL clicked. A light came on inside of me & I could finally see that “Self-Worth” is a Practice! It’s WORK, & now I actually see it as a “Spiritual Practice” & an obligation that keeps me connected to my Highest Self. Practicing “Self Worth” keeps me in Tune with the true essence of who I am! “Self-Worth” is SELF LOVE in ACTION!
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I was blessed to have a mother who was also a mentor in many ways. My mother, Starla Lewis is a “Global Teacher of Self-Love, Transformational Speaker, & Professor Emeritus, who has developed lectures & facilitated seminars in the areas of Diversity, Self-Love, & Women’s Empowerment, both nationally & internationally. She’s a seven-time recipient of the Mesa College Teacher of the Year Award, a Women’s Hall of Fame honoree, & a KPBS as a local hero. She has dedicated her life to teaching people love and life skills. Through her work, she affirms that ALL people are: “Brilliant, Powerful, Limitless, & Love!” She’s been a shining example my entire life.
I learned how to mentor through watching her “Empower others to Believe in Themselves!”
My advice on seeking “mentors” would be, “Learn to separate the Message from the Messenger”. Sometimes, we get so caught up in relying on another person for our own empowerment, that we lose sight of our OWN POWER!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonfire.com/divine-masculinity-by-ishe/
- Email: iloveishe@gmail.com
- Instagram: @isheloves
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWzeJvaNxiI
Image Credit:
Sherehe’ Roze
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