Phenomenal Woman of the Month: Shaa Ravine

Name: Shaa Ravine

Graduate: Spelman College ( December 2016)  

Current: Digital – Abc News / Good Morning America

Founder: Resilient Rav Media

Social Handles:

IG: @Ms.Ravine

Facebook: Resilient Rav Media

Site: https://shaaravine.wixsite.com/rrmedia

1. What does Phenomenal Woman mean to you? 

A phenomenal woman – is a woman that loves herself in every aspect. A woman that is fearless, intelligent, driven, graceful, and always stylish. A phenomenal woman believes in herself more than anything else and stops at nothing to conquer and exceed her goals.

2. What is your brand and how did you get started? 

My brand is always evolving and developing. In plain, I am my own brand. That brand is deeply rooted in media and creativity. When working with me others can expect someone who is fearless, innovative, creative, resilient, driven, compassionate, and so much more. My brand represents high quality and integrity because that is the standard I hold myself up to. Combine the business aspects with my love for fashion/style, travel and fun – you have me, Sha Ravine, the brand.  I got started in the industry by first pushing myself out of my comfort zone and seeking opportunities to write and do interviews for digital and print outlets. Quite simply, I started fully believing in myself and my talents – I haven't looked back since then.

3. What is your dream goal and how do you plan on achieving it? 

My biggest aspiration in life is to create a creative multimedia empire. I've always been passionate about the arts, storytelling, and media. With that I want to take my passion for storytelling and my creative vision/drive and create a multiplatform storytelling empire. I want to be able to share and create stories through all mediums including but not limited to books, magazines, TV, and digital etc.  I aspire to have my own publishing company that will house my books and magazines. As well as a sister production company that will be the driving force behind creating/ telling stories for digital and television. My goals are not only to be able write and share my own stories, but more importantly to provide both a platform and opportunities for other writers/creatives to tell their stories / stories they want to see.

All of my aspirations are connected and stem from journalism/entertainment/media, but the bigger picture is to create and expand my reach/empire. To create a space/business that changes and propels the industry all while providing a safe space for creatives to thrive. I work in TV right now for a major television network and I'm learning so much about what it takes to create tv, running a network, the importance of having a good team, and so much more. I take that knowledge and apply it to my own goals and figure out ways to network and look for opportunities to help bring me closer to my goal. I plan on staying in TV for some time and climbing the ladder before I branch off on my own. I've also created my own digital media outlet (Resilient Rav Media) that allows me to learn, grow, and experience my bigger goal on a smaller scale.

4. Name a moment that inspired you to feel more confident and inspired you to be comfortable in the skin you are in.   

There have been many of those moments for me and each of them have helped me to grow in different aspects of my life. The most recent moment that inspired me to feel more confident was at work – I pitched an idea to the executive and senior level teams. I was confident in the idea, but I was extremely nervous being that I'm nearing only two months with the company and there I was pitching to high level executives. In the end they loved my idea and we're in the process of developing it as a franchise which is much more than I ever expected. That moment made me feel so much more confident and secure about my talents and abilities and pushed me to aim even higher in life.

5. Name a person (dead or alive) that you look up to and why?

Oprah Winfrey – simply because she has proven over and over that you can achieve any and every dream or goal you have. She has continued to push boundaries and shatter glass ceilings as well as create opportunities for so many other individuals in and out of the industry. Her career has evolved and expanded tremendously over the years and it will continue to do so. I can't help but to be inspired by an African American woman that has made such strides.

6. When it comes to being a woman, what do you feel should be the three core values that a lady should uphold?  

Creativity/ Positivity – These are my top values because they are essential to my everyday life and career.  I keep a positive and optimistic outlook on life and try to find joy in every moment. Creativity is quite simply the bread and fruit of my life – it is what keeps me going everyday – it pushes me to be greater – it allows me a way to express myself and so much more.

Integrity & Fearlessness/Consistency- Be honest in everything that you do, with everyone that you encounter.  Be honest with yourself most importantly and go after everything you desire to achieve. Be consistent until you become fearless because eventually they'll become one.

Style & Grace & Confidence – Be yourself whatever that means and looks like for you. Just slay – your wardrobe – your career – your relationships. Everything you do, do it with confidence, style and grace.

7. Favorite quote and what it means to you?    

"If there is a book you want to read, but it has not been written yet then you must write it" - Toni Morrison

This quote is very ambiguous because "book" can be replaced by whatever it is that you desire to do in this world. Whatever your dream or goal is you MUST achieve it. There is a gift inside of all of us and we must push ourselves to use it – use it to its full potential and use it until there is nothing left. You are charged to be the change you want to see, you must create the thing that you feel the world is missing because by doing nothing – you're doing the world and yourself a disservice.  

8. Piece of advice that you would give to young girls who aren't confident with themselves? 

Find something that you love doing – that makes you happy. It can be something as little as painting your nails, reading a book, admiring the skyline, writing a poem etc. Keep doing it – keep indulging in that simple bit of self-love/care, do it until you're ready to add on other versions of self- love/care. Eventually you'll have found all of the things that make you happy, you'll have strengthen your relationship with yourself, you'll have rediscovered yourself. Then and only then will you be able to pour yourself into other things like your dreams, goals, friendships, and relationships. You'll know that you are enough, you've always been enough, and everything you need lies inside of you because everything outside of that is only an enhancement. It's all about figuring out who you truly are and working towards loving that person.