Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharaya Hill.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sharaya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey began on the Northside of Houston, Texas with my parents and brother who instilled essential life skills and a strong work ethic. Throughout my educational tenure, I excelled academically and was involved in a plethora of extracurricular activities that honed my social and leadership skills. My academic success and community involvement afforded me the opportunity to attend Howard University. While at Howard University, I served as the Secretary and Vice President of The Jewels, Inc, was a charter member of the Peer Health Exchange, and was initiated into the Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
In addition to those organizational involvements, I served as a Program Director and Chief of Staff for two administrations of the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council. It truly was a balancing act to successfully manage all of these extracurricular activities in addition to my Psychology courses, and in the Spring of 2015, I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Understanding the impact of a quality education and inspired by my passion for travel, I spent a year abroad in Madrid, Spain teaching English to underserved elementary school students. Being a busy bee, with my hand in a little bit of everything, truly taught me time management and prioritization, which has allowed me to balance my current reign as Miss Black Texas USA while teaching my PPCD class and earning my Master’s in Special Education. The drive and dedication that it takes to achieve all of these things can best be attributed to my parent’s guidance and love, the leadership skills I developed during high school and my tenure at Howard University, and the strong support system I have with friends and family.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Under no circumstances has it been easy, but I’ve been able to persevere because of my faith in God and a strong determination to succeed. Through every storm, I learned that God strategically placed me in that position to grow, evolve, and eventually emerge a better woman. For example, I prepped and prepared to get accepted into a particular graduate program that I felt was the right one. After getting denied, I had to regroup, but within a matter of days I was accepted into the right program and was offered a new job. When I was in that season of rejection, it felt like turmoil and denial were going to be my story and stop my journey. It turns out that rejection was preparation for something greater. For any young women reading this who feels like their road is rough and they are struggling, I have three pieces of advice that have helped me in my journey. As cliche as it sounds, I would say keep God first because through Him all your blessings flow. Second, find a couple of women who you aspire to be in different arenas and study their movements. Finally, don’t be in a rush to get to where you’re going.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As the current Miss Black Texas 2019, I am dedicating my year of service to empower the lives of those who feel lost, looked over and forgotten. My hope is to empower those who are underrepresented through mental health, physical wellness, and economic awareness, in order to ultimately create a greater future and changed mindset. I seek to pour myself into the community that raised me because no one can give from an empty well. I am to fulfill this commitment through my platform F.U.L.L.W.E.L.L. Finding Ultimate Livelihood and Living with Excellence Through Lending Love,
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
In regard to finding a mentor, find people in your circles that are doing things that you would like to do and are who aspire to be, connect with them genuinely, pick their brain on ways to elevate, and continue the conversation with them on a regular basis. Building that rapport and fostering a relationship is key.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @missblacktexasusaofficial
Image Credit:
Photos: @photosbyjazminee, Hair: @boss_bree_beauty, MUA: @noethegr8, Stylist: @aishajanique
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