We recently connected with Shawna Lathan and have shared our conversation below.

Shawna, appreciate you joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I came up with the name “Culture Clash,” because we have finally came to the inalienable understanding that their are many different cultures that make up America. Yes, we may Clash; but when there’s a crisis, an epidemic, a pandemic or a tragedy, nothing matters but life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m the Founder of Culture Clash, LLC. This baby of mine was birth out of my personal pain and ignorance. While I was finishing my Psychology Degree, I received shocking news that someone close to me was HIV positive. This person never told me of their status, they acted as though they didn’t know, nor did they appear to care. After testing and seeing God’s hands on my life, my instructor challenged me to do something to turn this pain into something positive for my Community. I thought of how everyone loves fashion shows, and if I inserted a creative way to teach preventive ways during the show, I could reach more than just passing out tracks like everyone else at the “Free Clinic.” At the Fashion Show, there’s entertainment, thought provoking skits, presentations, talks from HIV survivors, and each person leaves with a prevention thought and a what’s next action.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After I got my negative test and found out I was negative for HIV and the other tests, I cried and thanked God for His grace on my life and immediately wanted to file for divorce. I was angry. I felt betrayed, hurt, did I say angry? 😆 I felt grateful to God and concerned about my Son. I had a mild nervous breakdown, and found myself contacting My Instructor immediately to give her a heads up that I was in the hospital. She gave me a pep talk (she was some type of Detective Analyst by day), and reminded me that I had my life and my health. I’m at the end, nearing graduation and I could look at this as a distraction or a sign to propel me to finish Strong. That statement has been my launching pad ever since. I’ve always been resilient in life, but this has taken me to another level because when we hear HIV/AIDS, (the unlearned), we hear “a death sentence,” But science has come a long way in helping those who had no control of contracting these diseases.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to unlearn is that not everyone with HIV/AIDS is gay/homosexual. There are Nurses who were accidentally stuck by needles due to a belligerent patient that unfortunately contracted the virus, or a pregnant mother who has the virus that passed it to her baby by using crack cocaine via the needle. I’ve learned that there are medicines that can help to make life a little better, but it’s yet up to the individual to care for themselves and tell their partner.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.SLPMI.org
• Instagram: apostle_Shawna
• Facebook: Facebook.com://Shawna E. Lathan
• Youtube: Shawna Lathan

Image Credits
Phillip White