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

Hi Chanice, thanks for joining us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My mother is my hero, ever since I was a kid she has always been so inspiring to me and an excellent example of what it is to keep pushing forward through adversity. Ive seen my mom go through many struggles, and she has always been very transparent when it comes to telling me and my sister the truth about, both the good as well as the bad things, that she has gone through and how she was able to overcome and push through it. I’ve always looked up to her as a force to be reckoned with. At times when I’m down I think of my mother’s strength and it helps fuel my own. Through my mom I learned from her past that she shared with me to be mindful of the company I keep and the choices I make, because the choices you make yield certain consequences. I learned from my mom at home that life was not always going to be fair, I also learned how to be disclipined, keep my focus, be positive and speak life into myself. She taught me the importance of caring for others and to be selfless. My mom continues to influence my journey. Even at 31 years old, I still talk to my mom for advice and help, she is an Excecutive Assistant and I’ve even seen her be her own lawyer at times in the court room, so I go to my mom for everything from inspiration to editorial and legal advice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always had an interest in hair and fashion since I was kid. I loved drawing sketches and styling my dolls hair. Plus my grandma use to sew and make her own clothes. I also had people in my family that were hair stylist as well, so it came to me naturally. These are most definitely the two main things that spiked my interest. I was only 7 years old; however, I knew then what I wanted to do with my career, and I have never strayed from it. My discipline comes from my family, my grandpa, was a Vietnam Veteran in the United States Marines. He was militant with an authoritative parenting style and my mom was just like him. so I learned to be disciplined at a young age. I was able to apply that discipline to my studies and my career. I never allowed myself to be distracted especially by people or things that didn’t serve my good for too long. The disciplined I learned helps me keep my focus. Ever since I was in high school, I’ve had a small circle of family and friends that I am close to, which has always been an advantage for me. After high school I went to the Iowa School of Beauty and got my cosmetology license. I worked in salons for a while and then I decided to go back to college to study Fashion and I received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Fashion Design. I’ve been working, and networking and continuing to study while gaining industry experience that has brought me to where I am now in my life.

My most recent work is with Dometri’s Closet as a stylist and designer, I’ve worked on various projects promotional photoshoots, music videos and fashion shows. I recently was apart of DC’s glam squard as a hair stylist for the NAACP Image Awards 2024. I completed a Glam Squad Training class through NAACP x Handy Foundation x Netflix Spring 2024. I volunteered my hair services in June 2024 through the Handy Foundation for Youth in Foster Care Graduation and in December 2024 for the Worth of Love non profit organization. In the hair salon I offer haircutting and styling services, I also provide custom sewing and tailoring services,

What I am most proud about myself, is my fight to never give up, no matter what battles I may have to face. I want people and my potential clients to know that I put hard work, passion and care into my work it’s never half-baked. I put the same effort in my work and service that I would want to receive from others. I’m always aware and mindful of others and I hope that it shows in my work ethic. The moral principle my mom taught me was to always, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In 2016, while I was in college working on my BFA, I started having seizures and the battle has not been easy. I’ve seen over four doctors and prescribed several different medications and none of them helped me. A few of the doctors said, the seizures could have come from the stress I was under and my busy schedule; however, none of them could find the direct cause as to why I started having them. After college, I had a doctor that was swtiching my medications and my body reacted in away showing false symptoms of meningitis. Even with the long battle that I’ve been through, being hospitalized a few times with near death experiences I’ve faced, I still continue to stand strong and move foward. I used to take Keppra and it’s side effects caused depression and suicidal thoughts, but through all the bad things that I encountered I kept telling myself I’m still here, and there is a reason. God is not finished with me yet! It hasn’t always been easy or positive for me during these past times, I was in between work and the hardest thing to give up was my independence. I had to stop driving for over 4 years, which was devastating to me and hard to accept. There were countless times that I wanted to give up, but I kept my faith. It’s like I would think negative, and have low vibrational thoughts and my higher self would rebut it. I mean I literally was at war in my mind, body and soul. Even with all that I was going through, I never fully stopped going after my dreams, I may’ve had to pause and take time out to rest, but I never came to a completely halted. Now that I live in Los Angeles, I still am not able to drive. Therefore, I have to haul all my tools on the bus or take an uber to my creative projects. At times, it can really be challenging, but I keep pressing my way and moving forward. I make sure to keep my self in high vibrations, and feed my soul, with positive and inspirational music and messages. I make sure that I am surrounded by caring and inspirational people. Through it all, I know that I have a bigger purpose and it keeps me going. Even through adversity, tests, trials and tribulations – there is a blessing and everyday I get the chance to get up and fight and try again.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It is going through the entire creative process, from research and mood boards, to gathering materials, and constructing the project and once you see the finished product knowing that you didn’t give up even in doubt. Holding your self accountable and staying committed to bringing an idea to life as a tangible creation is the most rewarding aspect to me of being a creative artist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ChiChitheStylist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdwill25/
• Other: https://www.behance.net/gallery/134326737/Chanice-Brewer-Portfolio

Image Credits

Christina Davison Welch LLC (@chr1sographer)
Handy Foundation (@handyfoundation)
The Lounge Booth (@theloungebooth)