We recently connected with Syreeta Brown-Lawal and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Syreeta thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

Great question! Purchasing my books, taking my dance classes, donating to my fundraisers, Coaching with me. These are all acts of kindness for me. Supporting me as an artist, allows me the freedom to serve.

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?

My name is Syreeta Brown. I am a Coach, Writer and Dancer..

I have done all three since I was a child, but I didn’t publish my first book until I was 45 years old. Since then, I have published a total of three books, with three more launching this year.

I write what I know. I coach what I know. I dance what I know. I love working with special populations and the healing arts. I am blessed. I take full accountability for some of my greatest pains and joys. When I cannot write, I take what is in my heart and I dance it out.

Because I am passionate about creativity and honoring the heart, I started a publishing company, and founded a non profit. My non-profit, Shake To Life Center, is my passion to support people become their most self-sufficient self through education, arts, and professional and personal development. My publishing and consulting company is to help develop and honor my clients most true-self through pen and purpose.

My husband, Segun, and I published a childrens book that has changed my whole world. Over the next year, we are dedicated to releasing children’s books that assist parents in having conversations with their children about culture, movement, and mental well-being. We have a series of movement books launching this year, followed by our Mental health series on ADHD, Dementia, Depression, and other important issues. We will also write about special needs populations and many other topics. Our books are educational, but deeply endearing .

There are many people writing beautiful stories. I won’t say we are the best or doing something new. But we are artists, and we know that our books are unique and filled with stories that are based off of real experiences, love and culture. We will travel globally and host special Meet & Greets. We will offer special events, and FUNdraising opportunities for schools and organizations .

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Being a creative is my whole soul. One of the reasons I am a Creativity and Super Power Coach is because what I needed in my youth. I would have understood myself as an artist, much earlier, If I had had someone guiding me. Networking is also a resource that I would have benefited from. As a seasoned artist, I understand the benefit of making connections along the way. Networking should be a focal point for young artists. I have met great mentors. But having a creative/business coach would have taught me the difference between being an unpaid creative, versus being a business woman who is creative.

If an artists wants to making a living as an artist, they need to learn business first. Business is 75% of what we do as paid artists, and 25% our art. There is no way around it. It doesn’t mean you compromise your artistry. But we need to learn early on how to save and handle money when we earn it, how to market ourselves, how to price our products confidently, and how to make sure we are paid fairly. We are valuable!

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

Resilience is being able to withstand or recover from difficult conditions or events. My entire life has been a series of “difficult conditions”.

I’ve never felt sorry for myself or self pity. I choose to move through them, or over them when necessary.

I could write a book that would blow your mind about my childhood, the events of parenting, marriage, and adulthood. But honestly, my recent medical issues/diagnosis have tested me the greatest.

I have spent the last year developing a new relationship with my body and its ability to heal itself and betray me at the same time. The body is intelligent, but it is extremely fragile. The biggest lesson on “unlearning” has been learning my new limitations and how to still write, coach, dance, and heal while my body fights itself.

Being a creative and artist has been most important during this time. Some days I am able to write, some days I can dance, some days I coach. But there are days that I am unable to even move. Being a creative has given me multi avenues for self-caring, and expression.. When my body hurts, I still have music to soothe me. I have a greater respect for artists. It is a gift from God to be able to create things that help our earth roommates in their time of healing. My resilience is the staple of my life.

All the writing, dancing, and coaching I do now is dedicated to healing. I encourage artists and creatives to always use their gifts-for yourself and for others. I encourage non-creatives to support and share their favorite creatives. Also, I believe we are all creatives, we just have to unlearn what we think what being a “creative” looks like.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.syreetabrown.com
• Instagram: @thesyreetabrown
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/thesyreetabrown

Image Credits
Otis Brown-Benson Victoria Roberson Jay Jones Bobbi Tiso Hilary Jackson Reese Charleswell Gavin Sadiow Dan Benson