We recently connected with Ty’Nelle and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ty’Nelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I wanted to create something to motivate people of color. As a young black girl, I hated my skin tone. I am the only dark skinned child and I was reminded of that often by being referenced by black toned negative objects. I didn’t understand why having a darker tone was such a bad thing when it came to what society saw as beautiful. I just wanted my skin to change so that I could feel accepted, After dealing with depression and anxiety for years, I decided to be a better me for me. I figured out that other peoples opinions didn’t always matter and I started teaching about loving yourself and walking people through the process of growth. This is where MyMelanin.Makeup was created, it represents the makeup of who and how beautiful we are.

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 am a serial entrepreneur and single mom of my amazing business partner. I got into the industry just from loving my culture and wanting more from it and more to give to it. I currently sell merchandise that is black and African culture driven. I am a Nigerian American woman who loves the idea of independency and wealth of my blood line. I focus on making sure that this is shown in everything that I do. So, I hand craft every keychain and earring myself in the image of the Queens and Kings that GOD made us.

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

I love this question! Reason being is I am a Resilience Coach. I teach others how to bounce back from a place called stuck.

Storytime: In June of 2015 I was in the back seat of a couples car who I was coordinating a wedding for. As we were at a red light, a woman in a truck rear ends us. The metal from the truck hit me in the spine and my legs stopped moving. I was in so much pain that I thought I was dying. My son was sitting right next to me and all I could think about was him. When I found out he was okay, I calmed myself and my legs slowly started to move. I was rushed to the hospitality for a few tests and sent home on muscle relaxer and Ibuprofen.

A month later while standing in my kitchen I fall down and I go to the hospital. I take the same test as before and get examined by my neurologist to rule out a head injury. I get sent home with pain killers and a physical therapy order. That evening I get a call from the nurse who tells me that I have to come back to the hospital. I ask her why and because she can’t tell me I say have the neurologist call me. When she calls she says “You have bulging disks sticking out of your neck. I need you back here immediately and move slowly.” She explains that I could paralyze myself. I go back to the hospital and am immediately admitted and told I have to have emergency surgery.

Due to a shooting that happened I was told that I would have to wait until the next day, but to hold on. In so much pain, I started praying and talking with my son who stayed with me. I ended up having fusion surgery. I was told I may not walk normal again. I did everything they asked and with the motivation of some my amazing sister friends and my son. I stood up in faith and wobbled my way out of the hospital and few days later on a walker with a neck brace, I was able to stand up and go to the wedding and coordinate from my seat. I had an amazing team.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to break a long list of bloodline curses that have haunted those before me for generations. I aim to be the first secured Multi Millionaire in my line. I have always been considered the black sheep now it is time for me to be the black wolf and devour these goals like the BOSS chick that I am!

Contact Info:

• Website: MyMelanin.Makeup is set to launch next month.
• Instagram: @MyMelanin.Makeup come join my journey and help me grow so I can help you grow.
• Facebook: MyMelanin.Makeup
• Linkedin: @iamtynelle
• Youtube: Coming soon so make sure you follow the videos and special guests.

Image Credits
Image credits to Raphael Hodges, Ciara Ray, Brand-Oh Pro and Ty’Nelle