Lifestyle – Danii Gold

She’s Back! Life Update: Motherhood and What’s Next for Danii Gold?

August 24, 2022August 30, 2022Danii Gold

Greetings supporters!

I know it’s been a whole year and some change since I’ve posted content on here and not only that, since I’ve posted something personal. I wanted to give you an update on where I’ve been and where the future lies for Danii Gold.

If you’ve been living under a rock or don’t follow me on my socials, I’m a new mommy to a handsome, sweet, energetic, fearless baby boy named Xaylen. He’s 1 years-old now (not so much a baby anymore).

1 year photos; Lindsey Tyler Photography

Mommy and son; Lindsey Tyler Photography

To say that I’ve been busy and focused on him would be an understatement. Motherhood is truly a journey filled with ups and downs. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve googled symptoms and questions in the past 16 months lol. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ve probably been wondering…(or not)

The Pregnancy:

Honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. I didn’t have morning sickness, nausea, anything. My only complaint was getting up every 2 hours in the middle of the night to use the bathroom but of course, that comes with the pregnancy lol. Towards the end, I didn’t experience contractions, just some kicking in my ribs from time to time.

Maternity Shoot; Lindsey Tyler Photography

The night before the C-Section; Lindsey Tyler Photography

Due to my son being so big, I had a scheduled c-section a week before my due date. On April 15th, I was blessed with a 9lb 13ounce baby boy. If I would’ve waited until my due date, he would have absolutely been 10 EASILY.

Postpartum & Breastfeeding:

Everything was and still is new. As you know, you don’t get a manual from the hospital, family, or friends on how to be a mother. It’s literally a learn-as-you-go experience. Of course, if you’re unsure about things you ask around and even Google questions and facts. I definitely sought for answers for everything. On top of all that, I was breastfeeding– well 40% breastfeeding and 60% supplementing with liquid formula. Since I wasn’t producing enough milk, my baby needed to eat so formula it was. While getting adjusted to motherhood, I would forget to eat. In order to produce enough milk, you need to A) Have your baby latch on and/or B) Pump, and C)….EAT. I was doing half the work and expecting a full result. I was stressing out and my emotions were getting the best of me. BREASTFEEDING IS NOT FOR THE WEAK.

Eventually, after about 4-5 months, I decided to close the boob shop and only give my son formula. That lifted a weigh off my shoulders but knowing what I know now, I would do it again with my next child and try to tough it out a little longer.

What About the website and Podcast?

During this transition into Motherhood, I put Danii Gold, the site and Podcast, in the back seat and started a new podcast with my cousin and best friend titled Black Millennial Mamas. This podcast was benefitual at the time because I was the new mom out the bunch and was detailing my experiences in real time, all while getting advice from my cousin who has 8 year-old twin boys and a 2 year old daughter; and my best friend has a son who’s 6 months older than my son.

I feel like my passion shfted because my main goal was/is to provide for my son. At my day job, I started out as a full time, 6 month temp with potential to become permanent. After those 6 months I was offered a part-time permanent part-time, which I was grateful for because I knew eventually I would become a full time permanent employee. After 6 months, God came thru for your girl, a position opened up and I took it. I knew that I needed something solid and whatever “passions” and “hobbies” I had on the side that weren’t making me money, I needed to pause it; and that’s what I did with my site and The Danii Gold Podcast.

Right now, I’m at the point where I don’t know if I still have 100% passion for the entertainment news industry; I may be leaning towards the Lifestyle and Motherhood content. Soooooo, what I’m doing is this: I’m going to bring Danii Gold back for a year, blog podcast, interviews, etc. If after a year I feel passionate and successful enough to continue, I will do so. If I don’t feel that passion anymore, it’ll probably be the last of “Danii Gold.”

So for now, enjoy the upcoming content on my social media pages, this site and interviews on the podcast AND make sure you subscribe, and follow my other podcast Black Millennial Mamas.

Thank you again for your support.

Women’s Month: Chi Anderson; The Creative Coach & Lady of all Trades

March 6, 2021September 10, 2022Danii Gold

Chi (pronounced Chee) is a multi-talented lady of all trades. From modeling to coaching, life and runway, to creative directing and acting, she does it all! She lived a comfortable and safe life for so long, but through therapy and self-reflecting she started to step outside her comfort zone and live for her.

Chi started modeling at the age 18 and enjoyed it but decided to tap into the Corporate America world and ended up staying there for 20 years. During that time, she lived a normal day to day life, even got married but through therapy, she realized she had insecurities prior to her marriage and during her marriage. While identifying that, she did some soul searching and decided to do the “big chop” and started feeling better about herself. The chop, for her, brought life into her life and encouraged her want to live for herself–even if it scared her.

“If it doesn’t scare me, I won’t do it.”

In the midst of finding herself and not knowing who she was or what she liked, Chi got her certification in life coaching and her business Prize and Shine was born. Her purpose for the business was to coach ladies outside of their comfort zone, which was something she had experience with and was experiencing.

After not being happy in her marriage and feeling alone, she decided to get a divorce at 35 and did her second big chop. While doing so, Chi decided to start her sister loc journey and during that time, she recalls her locs playing an influential part of her life. Besides bringing life to her life, the sister locs taught her to be patient, open-minded and even motivated her to tap back into something she loved–modeling. After being off the scene for 20 years, at age 38, Chi started back modeling and got back to her happy place.

“Modeling is my ministry.”

Just when she thought she was done, runway coaching fell into her lap. With Chi being a model and a life coach, runway coaching made sense to her to add to her trades. At some point, one of those trades had to take a back seat, so Chi decided to shut down her life coaching business Prize and Shine. Creativity poured into Chi and she decided to take on the business venture of being a photoshoot creative director. It may seem simple, but it entails a lot such as garment assistance, posing assistance and being a confidence builder, which is something women and men need during photoshoots because the photography can only do so much.

Chi Anderson does so much and still remains to look youthful. She shared a few secrets because she wants everyone to win!

Take Naps!
Drink water.
Rinse body in cold water because it helps keep things closed like your pores. Hot water dries out your skin.
Warm water helps with digestion
Enjoy what you love but in moderation. (drinking, smoking, etc.)
Don’t let people or things worry you.
Stress stops you from sleeping and gives you bags under your eyes.
Sex is good cardio.

Chi Anderson is a great role model to women because she is the epitome of “it’s not too late to do what you love to do.” She is filled with positivity, embrace and love and she continues to share her wisdom amongst others. She is also the personification of a woman building other women up.

Be on the lookout for the Creative Coach, you may see her in a print ad, at a photoshoot or even on the tv screen, since she is an aspiring actress.

Jada Pinkett Smith Wink Wink GIF by Red Table Talk - Find & Share on GIPHY

Check out her website –> https://chithemodel.com/

5 Things “The Rona” Should Be Teaching You

April 21, 2020June 17, 2020Danii Gold

This Coronavirus is serious AF! People are DYING and have lost their jobs. Small businesses are suffering, the stock marker is down and people are losing money. While dealing with this virus, there are a few things that it should be teaching you.

1. Take your health and hygiene serious

It sounds simple but you have people who don’t wash their hands all the time and don’t cover their mouth when they cough. Gross. If you take care of yourself, as simple as exercising, taking a walk and taking vitamins, that’s a start to good health. For the people who already have weak immune systems and breathing issues, I’m sorry. Sometimes doing all the right things won’t help but at least you you’re trying.

2. Always Keep A Hobby

For the people who’ve lost their job, I’m sorry. Picking up a hobby can always make the time go by fast. If you’ve always had a hobby, GOOD! If not, something as simple as reading books is a good hobby, sewing (especially masks; you can make money off it these days), even cooking.

3. Keep A Side Hustle Going

It’s always good to have a plan b…and c. With people losing their jobs, it’s always good to have a second income.

4. Always Save Money

As I stated before, people have lost their jobs and that is very unfortunate especially if you’re supporting a family. If anything, always keep some money saved, whether it’s in a savings account, in a piggy bank under your bed, WHATEVER! Keep some change for a rainy day, or a rainy week OR a rainy month…or two.

5. Keep the essentials in your home

Now y’all KNOW how hard it is to buy Lysol, tissue, paper towels and hand sanitizer these days. You have to get to the store early in the morning to get those needs, if not you’re S.O.L. Besides those needs, you should make sure you have a case of water, bread, milk, meats, laundry detergent. You should have those needs when it’s a tornado or snow storm any how.

Being quarantined has been an eye opener for me and I’m sure other people. Mothers and fathers who have to work from home and also teach their children too one of the MVPs of all this, next to nurses and doctors of course. I’m sure families are either getting tired or each other or growing closer during these times. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to happen for the world to change their mindset and ways.

What have you been doing while quarantined? Comment below and let me know.

Lindsey Walker Talks Thriving Through the Storm in New Book

March 16, 2020April 20, 2020Danii Gold

“Thriving is a choice”

Lindsey Walker is an entrepreneur, publicist, daughter, and importantly a woman of God. She’s has been through so much and she’s only 29 years old. Being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer took a toll on her life but she kept her faith in God and stayed prayed up. With all that being said, she is now cancer-free.

Once she realized that life was too short, she started living and blessed us all with her first book Thriving Through The Storm. In the book, she gets transparent about that journey, her upbringing and even drops a few gems on life. I was given the opportunity to not only read her awesome, but also interview her about it. Check it out below.

At what during your cancer diagnosis did you start living by the phrase “let go and let God” and just overall having faith?

Lindsey: It gets to a point where you can’t control anything. I knew I didn’t have any control over what my life was going to look like during that time period. I’d always tried so hard to control everything but when you’re faced with something that could effect the rest of your life, I had two choices; I could chose to be worried about it or I could chose to let God do what he’s going to do in my life. What people don’t understand is, when you’re dealing with things like a cancer diagnosis or any diagnosis, your mindset is going to be the key to keeping yourself calm. Our bodies respond to everything whether we know it or not. I’ve always had a relationship with God, but at the point I had to ask God to see me through it because it there was nothing I could do.

You’re right, there are some things we don’t have control over, but you always looked at the brighter of things. In your book, you dived into having self-control and all the unfortunate events you went through. You said, “we no longer have control over situations, but the truth is, we never had control.” Can you explain what you meant when discussing having self-control but really, we don’t have control because God is in control.

Lindsey: We’re not in control of outcome. I can do everything to the best of my ability and still fail, especially with me being a business owner. I can run all the ads and do everything that’s in my will house but after I do everything I’m supposed to do, the rest is up to God. It’s a matter of practicing self-control as far as what I can control and what I’m responsible for. As far as being a business owner, I’m responsible for getting up every day and sending reports. As a daughter, I’m responsible for making sure my mom is okay. I can control those things, but I can’t control how my mother feels if I say something to her that she does or doesn’t like. I can’t control how my clients think or how they respond after I’ve done what I’m known to do. I feel like we as people spend so much time planning things out and we think that were in control of outcome, but we aren’t in control of how anything turns out. The only thing we can do is to continue doing what we’re known to do, run our way, do things to the best of our ability and after that, the rest is up to God. It’s that fine line between having self-control and knowing that you have no control over the outcome or over what happens next.

I really resonated with you talking about experiencing different things in your life that was meant to happened. You said “if you never experienced pain, how would you know if you have the power to heal. If you never experienced rejection and loneliness, how would you know if have what it takes to make it through life on your own.” What brought you to that point? Did you already have that mindset before your cancer diagnosis?

Lindsey: Yes and no. I pusher and ambitious. I don’t really take no for an answer or don’t give up too much. It wasn’t until my diagnosis that I realized; it takes on a new meaning when you are faced with something you don’t know the outcome of but there is beauty is every situation. Think about the worse thing you’ve been through; you have a choice to look at the good in it or bad. I could’ve looked at the diagnosis like “this is all bad” but I was so blessed to have a grandmother and mother to help take care of me and to have so many resources. Me getting closer to God and praying for other people, those were the beautiful moments. You have to chose to find the joy and beauty in everything. There is joy in every circumstance. If you’ve never been through storms, how would you know God is a healer?

You were very selfless when you explained that, you would endure the pain [cancer] so you wouldn’t have to see your mother or grandmother go through it; even if it meant that your future children or husband wouldn’t have to go through pain, you’re going through it for them. Were you always that selfless?

Lindsey: I love people, I genuinely have a heart for people; to see them thrive, to see them win, to see them in their zone and be the best people they can be. When it comes to my family, I love hard and its one of the most beautiful things about me and most complex things about me. I was/am so grateful that my future husband and kids didn’t have to see my endure what I went through because it’s a lot. My heart aches when I think of anyone having to go through that. I didn’t want to go thru it either. It would’ve hurt me so much more to see my future kids and husband go through what I went through. Its not an ideal situation, I hated It, I would not wish any of it on my worst enemy, but it was necessary. I guess you can say I’ve always been this way, but it was heightened. I’m just extremely grateful.

Was there anyone whom you were close with before your diagnosis, but after the diagnosis they fell off the face of the earth?

Lindsey: I was extremely blessed to have an awesome and beautiful people around me. Yes, there were people that I thought were going to be there that weren’t there a much. A couple of friends would come get me to make sure I was okay. There was someone that I knew was going to be there but unfortunately they weren’t but, in that moment, I couldn’t be concerned about who was and wasn’t really there because I had to fight for my life.

Question: You said “what if I told you, unless you have ups and downs, you aren’t living at all, you’re walking on eggshells trying hard to strive for perfection that you’re killing yourself on the inside.” You stated that you never took vacations and barely took care of yourself. Would you say that you were a workaholic versus a person walking on eggshells before your cancer diagnosis?

Lindsey: I think I was both. I definitely am a recovering workaholic. At the same time, when I was speaking on that; some of us spend so much time trying to be perfect and trying to live up to expectations that we forget to live in moment and worry about making mistakes. We fall under pressure of what we allow people to place on us. We don’t realize how much of a weight we carry with that. If you’re busy walking on eggshells, are you being truthful to yourself? You miss out on lessons when you don’t make mistakes. Our failures are lessons life teaches us. But if you’re so caught up on trying to be something people want you to be, you miss out and realize you should’ve done what you wanted in the first place.

Question: When you were going through chemo you couldn’t work, but you somehow maintained to work with just a couple clients. HOW in the world were you able to do that especially being tired from the chemo?

Lindsey: To be honest, I think about that a lot, but its through God’s grace that I was able to do that. God gave me the idea for a new service to roll out for people that need PR help but they couldn’t afford a retainer so I started doing a service that mapped out the blueprint of what they needed to do; because I had that service that was different from my normal services, I was able to take my time with things. I outsourced a lot, so I had a couple different account executives and contractors that would help me on projects. Thankfully I was able to have the resources to pay them for their help.

Question: I REALLY loved when you said, “who I was isn’t who I am right now, and who I am right now isn’t who I will be in the future.” Who are you right now?

Lindsey: I am ever evolving, I am, I’m healing I’m growing, I’m loving. I am a better business owner, I’m a better me than I was before. I’m just a better version of myself.

Question: “I don’t have to agree with God to trust him”—I’m sure you seen that power when you were diagnosed with cancer and going through chemo. Would you say that’s the part of you that has faith in God?

Lindsey: Yes and it’s funny because I remember writing those words and it really hit me that we can love and trust in God and know he has our best interest at heart but that doesn’t mean have to agree with his methods. So no, I don’t agree with having a stage 4 cancer diagnosis at the age of 27. I don’t agree with me having to go through things I endured prior to that, I don’t agree with a lot of things but I know and trust that every single moment is working together towards my good.

Question: You were really transparent with your relationship with your dad. You talked about your childhood with him and a gap when you two weren’t talking and when you were diagnosed with cancer, he came to the hospital. You said a huge part of your healing process is having boundaries and learning to protect your peace. Would you say that now that you are cured and things are going better in life, your two’s relationship has gotten better, or is it stagnant or you all are still working it out?

Lindsey: My father is my father. I will always acknowledge him as that. So, there has to be a level of respect due to the position he has in my life. Currently, I’m still processing everything, so I’m deciding to work on our relationship on my own terms. I will say that it’s a work in progress.

Question: What’s next for you now that you’ve thrived through the storm?

Lindsey: I’m very intentional about the way I treat myself, and the way I allow myself to be treated. I have these huge goals I want to hit within my business such as being able to expand, reach more people and work with different clients. With this story, I want people to know they have what it takes to thrive through the storm as well. Life is what’s next for me. Enjoying every moment, being intentional, going through the journey and realizing that healing is an ever-evolving process. Its not something you can do overnight. I’m very intentional with making sure I’m healthy and I’m internally okay and being the best publicist, and author that I can be.

Question: Since you did such a great job with this book, would you consider writing another book?

Lindsey: Yeah, I’ll definitely right another book! I started writing this book the beginning of February 2019 and finished by March 16. My friend Chanel Martin, who mentioned in the book, has a challenge on Facebook called “Write with me” that she started as an accountability group. she actually published a book and encourage me to write it. Going through the process was therapeutic to me and helped me start my healing process. I would definitely write another book; I would hope that the next book would be about teaching how to balance entrepreneurship and being a wife and a mom. Hopefully that’ll be what the next book is about, l definitely want to explore those roles in my life.

The book officially comes out March 24^th, so make sure you support thee great Lindsey and get some guidance on your journey and storm that you’re going through.

e (1) — credit: Courtnee Walker; Lorraine Image Photography

Danii’s 2019 Lessons

December 31, 2019February 17, 2020Danii Gold

2019 has been one for the books. I was unemployed for 10 out of 12 months, I had to get my hussle bussle on, I learned how powerful the tongue was and of course i questioned a lot of shit.

“What is my purpose?”

“Why am I going through with this?”

“Will I ever have a job again?”

“Am I meant to be an entrepreneur and work for myself?”

“Whats the purpose of exchanging gifts on Christmas anyways?”

Yeah, my thoughts ranged a lot but struggle and pressure will do that to you. I also, once again, learned who my real friends were and who was and wasn’t a priority. I worked on my confidence and walked in three fashion shows this year and I’m so proud of myself. Modeling is something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a kid because I was so lanky lol. So I’m tall and thick in the right places…somewhat. (lol)

Another thing I learned is that….it’s okay to say no and decline an opportunity. Knowing your worth is important. Time is precious and if you feel that something isn’t worth your time, it’s okay to respectfully decline.

One major thing I learned is to ALWAYS have more than one income. Before I lost my job last year, I already wanted to generate multiple streams of income, so I started freelance writing and even looked in Forex. I wish I would’ve started sooner because I wouldn’t had to work so hard, but it made me grind harder, which I’m thankful for.

2020 is my comeback year, my “pay off debt” year, my “saving more money” year, my “generate multiple incomes” year, and many more!

Cheers to 2020!

Lola The Don Talks Being a Female DJ, Her Self-Love Journey and Socialogy Care Company

September 19, 2019October 16, 2019Danii Gold

The “Don” is defined as someone who is respected by many people, a leader, a king, or in this sense a Queen. Lola The Don is respected by many and says she’s never walked into a room that she didn’t deserve to be in. Lola is DJ in a male dominated industry, a nursing student, and importantly a self-care advocate. She talks about her highs, lows and everything in between that it took for her to get to her happy place that she’s in now. Check out her interview below.

DG: You’re an entrepreneur, what all businesses do you have under your belt?

Lola The Don: The most prominent is Socialogy Care Company, that’s the most visible right now.

DG: With Socialogy Care Company, there are 3 other co-creators. What all services do you all provide?

Lola The Don: We are a health and wellness care company. We get asked a lot if we are health gurus and people would come to us for health-related advice, and I would tell them that is not at all what we are. We are not the point of contact for health-related advice, but what we are is the point of contact for directing you to those people who can give you the correct health advice. We’re the liaison, the middleman, between the community and health & wellness service providers. Those providers, for us, are anyone that offer some sort of services tailored to health & wellness; that could be a personal trainer, a fitness instructor, a gym, a healthy eatery, a person who makes body butter, a person who makes hair care products, even a financial specialist because good credit and finances is a part of health & wellness. Anything you can think of that is health & wellness related, we try to help the community find their services.

DG: What was your reasoning for wanting to start/become a co-creator of Socialogy Care Company?

Lola The Don: I was looking for health and wellness resources and did not know where to start. So, I wanted to help others who were having this same issue. So I decided to create something that would be a hub for people to be able to come and search for these health and wellness related resources.” So, we, the creators of Socialogy Care Company, take the task of you having to use Google and provide you with the information on our website and look into our database to find the resources you need.

“Life be life-ing”

DG: Do you have a background in health & wellness?

Lola The Don: Yes, I got my bachelor’s in Socialogy, then I went into the healthcare field as a case manager, which is like a baby social worker. I sat on the clinical team at a substance abuse treatment center for adolescent boys. It was heavy work and my first introduction to healthcare as a whole. I did that under two years and loved the experience and the children I worked it; they still reach out to me, to this day. That was the biggest take away from that job. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of pay in the field as a case manager, so I went back to school after doing some praying, soul searching, meditating and consulting with my higher powerful (shoutout to GOD), and I went back to school for nursing. I’ve always known that health & wellness was somehow my calling. So I started nursing school, then “Life started lifing” so I tabled it for a second and now I’m back in nursing school.

“I know you, I fuck with you”

DG: I’ve seen on your social media that you decided to give up alcohol and dating for a year. What prompted you to do that?

Lola The Don: I experienced a breakup a year ago. During that hard breakup, my mental health plummeted, and I fell into a state of depression. Prior to the relationship with him, I never really had anxiety but it started to develop within that relationship and it was really exasperating. That is something I look back on and it reinforces me stay on top of my mental health. After a couple weeks of having a pity party, I started taking the necessary steps for me to feel whole again; one of those things was letting go of drinking. When I would go through hard things, I would resort to drinking instead of letting myself feel feelings and healthily dealing with them. The second thing I gave up was dating and became celibate. I never sat with myself for an extended period of time as an adult. I was either in a relationship or always dating and that’s a form of running away from yourself, in my opinion. I realized that when you get with someone, you sometimes unconsciously lose yourself within that person and when/if that person leaves, they will take a piece of you with them and you have nothing. So, I made a vow to myself that I will never let that happen to me again. It was equally the most grueling time in my life as it was the most rewarding. I stayed on path and at the end of it, I truly believe that certain blessings started to flow in and the biggest blessing was finally looking in the mirror and saying “I know you, I fuck with you” and no one can touch that. After this one-year cleanse, I met a guy and he’s very nice, it’s refreshing, and I am able to be in that space and pour into that but still have my boundaries and know who I am.

“I can not have this business and not walk the walk and talk the talk.”

DG: What other practices do you do for your own personal health and wellness besides not drinking, in a sense of self-care? How are you practicing what you preach in Socialogy Care Co.?

Lola The Don: I can not have this business and not walk the walk and talk the talk. Firstly, I feel that what I put in my body physically (eat and drink) and spiritually (what I read, watch and listen to) matters. No, I’m not a saint eating the right things and listening to the purest things, but I do try to incorporate those things into my lifestyle regularly. I’m a big water drinker, I rarely drink anything besides that. Also, I pour positives things in my life like positive podcasts or YouTube videos. If I’m not listening to something self-care related, I’m listening to something business related. One of my favorite podcasts, The Wall Street Journal Secret to Wealthy Women and they talk about how they acquired their wealth and success. I love to journal, even though sometimes I find myself doing it on my phone instead of actually writing it. Two of the biggest things for me, self-care related, is practicing mindfulness; when I wake up in the morning, the first 30 minutes are important, so I don’t check my phone and I talk to God. The other is practicing positive self-talk. I don’t talk down on myself.

DG: With you going to nursing school, how are you going to implement your studies the Socialogy Care Company?

Lola The Don: Right now, I don’t have the credentials behind my name, yet, but what I do have is my research and my personal experiences. Once I get my credentials, that’ll make me much more credible to my subscribers.

DG: What events does Socialogy Care Company have coming up?

Lola The Don: Last year, our was goal was to produce an event every month and we were able to do that, whether it be one that we put on ourselves or one that we partnered with a health care professional or orchestrated a volunteer session. This year our goal has been to mainly show up at other people’s events and support them.

We are in the process of working on our first annual citywide wellness retreat. It’ll be a weekend getaway with everybody without breakout topics about financial, mental health, prayer circles, and just networking overall. We want to be able to produce this event every year.

“I’m coming back to buy the building of all those doors that were once closed on me.”

DG: Switching the focus to your DJ career. Is it intimidating being in a predominantly male industry?

Lola The Don: On the surface, generally speaking, sure, it could be intimidating for people. On a personal level, no. I actually embrace it and welcome it. I had a recent encounter not to long ago. I was booked to host an event by a good friend of mine, and I’ve hosted many events for him in the past before. Once I got to the venue, I went to the DJ booth and asked where the mic was because I was the host for the evening. The guy told me I wasn’t getting the mic and I was confused of course but I didn’t really trip off it too hard. I did reiterate that I was booked to host. He eventually hands me the mic and I was on it for a while, but he ended up requesting it back so I figured that we would go back and forth on the mic which is fine. I step away for a minute and come back to another guy being on the mic who is respected around and known for hosting. I respect that and his craft. So, I asked him was he hosting with me and he said no, he was only going to be on the mic and I told him, like I told the previous guy, that I was booked to be on the mic as well. He told me he was getting paid to host too. I’m mature enough to let it go, I got paid already so I decided to kick it with my friends. But during the times I did have the mic and was hosting, I noticed they kept turning my mic down. It was crazy and I thought “What is happening?” and “where is this energy coming from?” I think it is wack when a guy hates on a girl, we are in two totally different lanes. This is definitely a male dominant industry and I don’t think it is a career for the faint heart, If you are a woman. We as women are required to show up 10 times more prepared so we can rightfully demand the respect that we are owed. There are times when I get doubt or side-eyed from people who may have concerns of why I get/got booked for things. I’m sure there are people think I got booked for a gig because I am a woman or for my looks. It goes back to me knowing what I’m capable of and qualified for. I don’t get discouraged or deterred from situations like that. My mindset is “I’m coming back to buy the building of all those doors that were once closed on me.”

“ As a woman, I always want to be seen as someone who conducts herself with a level of dignity, class and grace and not in a soft way, but in a way where things can roll off me and not knock me off of the life high I have going on.”

DG: Wow that is crazy to have experienced that level of shade and hate but I guess it comes with the industry and luckily you have a positive mindset about it. So, to back the bus up, how did you get into DJ-ing?

Lola The Don: I’ve been DJ-ing off and on for 10 years. I’ve always loved music. Music is therapy for me. I actually have a very deep love for techno and house music. I have a lot of favorite techno DJs and it started there and my love for underground hip-hop like when TDE first started with Kendrick and School Boy Q. I also had love for Indie Rock and that’s what made me want to be a DJ. There’s a feeling that I get when I hear music being mashed together. There’s this euphoria that over comes and these endorphins that are released and I want people to feel that.

DG: Who are your favorite female DJs and your overall DJs, men included, overall?

Lola The Don: My favorite female DJs right now is Shale, she does a lot of live mixes and mashups; Dj Millie, I love her look and how she brands herself. Also, Vashtie, she’s the Dondada because she DJs, she’s a video director [she directed one of Kendrick Lamar’s first videos], she’s a fashion designer, designing a brand of Jordans for women.

As far as my overall DJs, I love DJ Diplo. He has a group that he branched off and created and it’s called Major Lazer. They are a mashup of techno, house music, reggae and hip-hop. I used to love Deadmau5 and his production; he does a lot of techno and house-inspired music. Those two are my favorite guy DJs.

DG: How far do you want your DJ-ing to go?

Lola The Don: The lane I’m really interested in tapping into is the vixen, sexy DJ lane. I really don’t have the desire to DJ in the clubs, that’s not my focal point. The radio is not a goal of mine, but I wouldn’t mind being featured on there. I actually would like to be a traveling DJ. I just came back from an out of town gig in Chicago. I also would love to be someone’s tour DJ. I’ve DJed behind my ex, who is also a musician. We actually did SXSW a few years ago. I’ve done a lot of underground showcases here too.

DG: What makes your DJ-ing style different?

Lola The Don: I would say the biggest thing that I’m coming out with is the energy that I’m trying to give off through my productions and mixes. Sou-lection is the vibe that I’m trying to gravitate towards. I want my sounds and mixes to be very fluid, flowy, and healing, but also something that you can dance and vibe to. The plan is to start dropping live videos of me mixing. I’m in the process of developing group of ladies called The Misses and every time I drop a live mix; I’ll have two of my misses behind me dancing to my music. We’re going to put on a show and that’s the different thing im bringing to the table; it’s not going to be just what you hear but there’s a visual aspect to it as well.

Look out for Lola, whether she’s DJ-ing or hosting your events or out with her co-founders promoting their business Socialogy Care Company or even at your local hospitals because she’ll be a nurse soon!! She’s a go-getter and wants to see everyone win. Follow her on Instagram @LolaDaDon

Ebbi Nicole, Creator of Fluffy GRL Movement, Talks Body Positivity, Empowering Women and Fluffy GRL Inspirations

August 2, 2019August 2, 2019Danii Gold

For decades, society has created the standard that women have to be a certain size to be considered cute, dateable and even healthy, but in actuality that’s not the case. Ebbi Nicole, a proud curvy woman, embraces her “fluff” and empowers women by walking in her truth, being transparent, hosting events and workshops and even a Curves N’ Waves Pool Party. Check out Ebbi’s interview below as she talks about her Fluffy GRL Movement.

Danii Gold: Why did you create the Fluffy Grl Movement?

Ebbi Nicole: I created Fluffy GRL Movement because I was tired of hearing women speak hatefully about themselves. I wanted to create a platform that would celebrate, elevate and empower the plus and curvy communities to tell their stories their way and to walk in their truths unapologetically.

We produce innovative events and workshops, conduct interviews featuring plus women who are the face of their brand and help women polish their personal style with consulting services. The ROOT of Fluffy GRL has always been about rewriting the narrative to include our truths, and defy those imposed by the media and societal norms.

Danii Gold: I love how you substitute a negative word for a positive word, Fluffy. Growing up a Fluffy Girl, did you face barriers?

Ebbi Nicole: I was teased ALOT as a child. Unfortunately, I was bullied by the kids at school and picked on by family at home. I was a target because I was ALWAYS one of the bigger kids in class and I started wearing glasses in Kindergarten. As a result I developed super low self esteem and I questioned everything about myself. It got so bad at one point that I started begging the teacher to let me eat lunch with her during recess because I was afraid of getting beat up on the playground.

Danii Gold: Besides empowering women, you are also a stylist for Fluffy GRLS and women in general. What made you add that service to your brand or title behind your name?

Ebbi Nicole: I decided to start styling for plus and curvy women simply because my audience asked me to. I wish it was more to it but it isn’t. I always receive so many compliments behind how I rock what I wear. Then I started receiving messages about styling services. At first, I was totally against it. I am not a fashion enthusiast NOR am I the edgiest person in the industry so I was skeptical if I was the IDEAL stylist. Through working with clients I learned that all labels and fashion houses aside, I really enjoyed helping women polish their personal brand and identify their personal style. It brings me joy to see women feel and look good in her clothes. It radiates as confident and self aware, both of which are super sexy!

Danii Gold: I’ve been following your brand for a while and I heard you say a while back that when you were younger, guys wouldn’t show you attention in public, but they they would flirt with you in private. How do you or would you handle a situation like that now?

Ebbi Nicole: Great question! I’m at the “YO LOSS” point in my life. I do a really great job at letting people know that they’re missing out and standing in the fact that I am not a Night Creep Chick…unless the ish is on MY terms and I want it. Simply put! If you can’t check for me in the sunlight, then you damn sure can’t check for me at midnight. Okurrr

Danii Gold: AGREED!! So, what are some things you do on the regular basis to empower women who are Fluffy?

Ebbi Nicole: I walk in my truth…unsure, very sure, complicated, simple, easily and hard as hell. As muddy as the journey is and as tough of a reality it is to face sometimes, I work to empower women by being transparent about my challenges and triumphs. Sometimes, the most work is done when you are just…YOU.

Danii Gold: That’s dope! So, do you have any Fluffy or Curvy women inspirations?

Ebbi Nicole: Of course! I’m a 90s babies so when we talk about inspirations, I have to reach back to who paved the way around that time. My faves include Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, The Lady of Rage, Mia X, and even Raven Symone. I remember seeing each of these women and they all exuded power and self awareness. None of them tried to HIDE their bigness, in fact their confidence is what made their careers so successful. They did things on their terms. In a thin positive industry, they exuded what it meant to be a Fluffy GRL. PRESENT. VISIBLE. RAW. VOCAL. UNAPOLOGETIC.

Danii Gold: How do you feel about women like Lizzo being her authentic self, showcasing her body positivity, despite how society tries box plus size women in? (For instance, the stereotype that thicker women can’t wear certain clothes)

Ebbi Nicole: I. STAN. LIZZO. I know that there is the Rihanna Navy and the Bey Hive but HONEY, I am forever a LIZBIAN. She is stomping on those boxes. Her presence in the music industry couldn’t have come at a better time. She offers something rarely seen from plus women in the main stream media…SEX. SPICE. AND NO FUCKS GIVEN. I love that she is NOT ONLY visible but she is also VERY VOCAL about her position on fatness in today’s society. The women I named earlier lit the torch and Lizzo is taking things up a notch! She is making some folks very uncomfortable and I AM LOVING IT!

Danii Gold: Agreed! I love me some Lizzo. So, you have your annual Curves N’ Waves Pool Party coming up. What made you come up with the theme?

Ebbi Nicole: The name for Curves N’ Waves came about because I wanted something catchy yet clear that this was a party created by a woman for other women. I wanted a name that would empower women of all shapes, sizes and shades to make a SPLASH and take up space in a place made for them. My sole thought, if you put a lot of curves in the water, some waves are bound to happen. Hence Curves N’ Waves.

Danii Gold: That’s super catchy! What else do you want to come out of the Fluffy GRL Movement besides body positivity?

Ebbi Nicole: Besides messages of self acceptance and an avenue for body diversity, I want people to help dismantle myths about the fluffy community. Contrary to popular belief many of us are active, working our asses off in various industries, have loving partners and families, can dance longer than 15 seconds, aren’t always the comedic relief and we are all capable of telling our stories without the help of those who don’t know anything about them.

Danii Gold: That’s deep and inspirational AF! My last question for you is, what message would you like to send with your brand?

Ebbi Nicole: FLUFFY is a way of life. It’s not all about how you do or don’t look. It’s about how you choose to live, view the world and share your journey with the world. To be FLUFFY is to embrace you AND the unique person next to you. Fluffs, fluffettes and fluff supporters are a whole vibe!

The Fluffy GRL Movement 2nd Annual Curves N’ Waves Pool Party on August 10th.

Make sure you follow Fluffy GRL Movement on Facebook and Instagram @fluffygrlmovement and check out her website –> https://www.empowerthefluff.com/