We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shiquita James a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shiquita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

Many would say they wish they had started sooner, but I believe my beginning of this journey began at its divine time. I began this journey in 2016 while living in Virginia, at that time I was medically retired from the Navy due to diagnoses of Lupus, six years into remission of it. Though experiencing lupus was a battle to be won, it also was a lesson to learning who I am.

Shiquita, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a free spirit, well balanced between my physical and spiritual, as well as my femininity and masculinity. An ol’ southern gal born in South Carolina, raised in the military, later joining the military (USAF & NAVY), during which I became a mother, came out as lesbian, retired from the military, 10 year battle with lupus, died and came back, told to be a face for my people during my crossover, then my industry journey began and now I am HERE. Living a dream I never dreamt … which makes it a purpose.

What sets me apart from others is that I’m okay with being perfectly imperfect, no one can be PERFECT.

I am most proud of my son, he is truly one of a kind. He is the light that kept me from being consumed by the darkness of lupus. I wasn’t created to give up and I couldn’t let him see me give up. Even more I am proud of the little girl inside me that no matter the trials, she never gave up!!

I want others to know that, they are appreciated, if I can make just one person FEEL, then that means I am fulfilling my purpose.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This question is deep .. hmmm .. I had to unlearn who I thought I was to learn who I was created to be. From a child I knew I was internally different but what I felt within didn’t match what I was being told I was to be. But as many have done, we abide by our teachings but once I entered the freedom to seek and find my truth, desires, experiences and knowledge. I learn who I wanted to be that lead me to who I was created to be. There’s too many backstories that share many reasons to my enlightenment because they all broke and made me, like a mosaic masterpiece.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The driving forces behind my journey are the ANCESTORS, literally. Though this wasn’t part of my plan because I am really a bit of a shy person but when you are called to step out of yourself and show up: there’s no escaping a calling.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/actor_shiquitajames
• Facebook: Shiquita James