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

Alright, Shantoni thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The story behind my mission, which is to spread awareness, inclusivity, individuality, uniqueness, love, light, and positivity unapologetically to the world and especially to those that have been conditioned to feel like they aren’t seen and don’t have a voice, comes from not actually seeing much of those things aforementioned growing up. I remember stumbling upon a quote that just stays with me. It said, “Be the person you needed when you were younger.” -Ayesha Siddiqi

That will forever stick with me. So, that drives me to wake up every day knowing that I’m becoming the hero that little Shantoni needed to see and needs me to be. I do it for him. I’m most certainly sure he is so proud with the biggest smile. That’s my fuel to keep on pushing and rolling.

Shantoni, 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 Shantoni Xavier Holbrook. I am 31 years of age from McComb, Mississippi. I graduated from two Historically Black Universities attaining a master’s degree in public health. I currently live in Jackson, MS where I practice my public health profession along with being a professional dancer, entertainer, visual artist, and advocate.

Dancing just came naturally. I think I was dancing in the womb. I never had to be forced nor taught to do it. I remember watching television shows for kids that had dancing in them. I would mimic whatever it was that the cast were doing in those shows. That grew and grew over time to the point where I started learning choreography in music videos just by watching the routines over and over. By then, I knew that I absolutely had a passion for the art of dance. I found out about YouTube and it introduced me to a whole world of other dancers and dance styles. I got inspired. That sparked the idea to start choreographing and creating my own dance style and videos with unlimited freedom and range.

I have been creating videos since 2010. People started reaching out to me to do performances here and there. I accepted them because I absolutely love performing. Though small, I took those performances so seriously as if I was on a major stage. I eventually started participating in my university’s (Alcorn State University) talent shows. I would win those until the Student Government along with the President just started getting me to perform at major events on campus. So, all of this was building my professionalism, craft, skill, patience, and passion for what was to come.

I literally buried myself in the crafts of dance, performing, and entertainment for 7 consecutive years until the BIG moment arrived. In January of 2017, I auditioned to become one of Big Freedia’s dancers. I made it! Shortly after, I debuted as a new cast member on season 6 of the television show (Big Freedia Bounces Back) on Fuse. Then, I started touring the world, performing in different countries, dancing in music videos, touching major stages, opening the B.E.T. pre-show, and hitting the main stage at the New Orleans’ Essence Festival. Everything had literally taken off!

Fast forward, here I am in 2023 stronger and better than ever. Now, I not only dance professionally, I am an entertainer/performer that does my own shows and performances. I also choreograph, teach, and speak motivationally to and for others. I think what sets me apart and what I’m most proud of is the colorful light that I bring with me in the room or on the stage. It’s something so magical and I think it’s able to shift perceptions, inspire others, and maybe just help change the world with touching just one person.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It has to be being able to change perceptions, lives, and the world with my craft while inspiring others. I even have changed my own self through my artistic craft. I also feel that through being an artist and a creative I am allowed to create my own world of inclusion, freedom, creativity, and possibility.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think as a creative and artist, I’m most certainly sure that I’m looked at as insane, crazy, or weird to non-creatives. I’m very expressive and march to the beat of my own drum. I’m very non-traditional. I am also adventurous as well. I get comments all of the time about that I’m always busy or on the go. I just believe that I have an assignment to fulfill and I’m allowing this journey to lead me in whichever direction to encounter experiences that inspire my craft and advocacy through creating.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantonixavier
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shantonixavier
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShantoniXavier

Image Credits
Katie Sikora Jeremy Tolliver Dejarius Evans Tusann Kari Thomas and Tamzen Jenkins