Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashianti Turay.
Hi Ashianti, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From a young age, I knew I was destined for greatness. I didn’t fully understand what that greatness would look like, but I knew I was called to serve others and utilize the innate gifts I recognized within myself.
My true journey began in 2022 when I lost my mother. Watching a woman I viewed as superhuman someone who worked tirelessly as a single mother to make ends meet deteriorate before my eyes was devastating. When she passed, a part of me died alongside her. I lost my motivation, my sense of core identity, and my direction in life. I vowed then that I would not suffer the same fate.
About a year later, I stepped into ministry. There, I came alongside broken women, many of them single mothers, who were struggling to pick up the pieces of lives they never envisioned. That experience exposed a profound truth: so many people navigate life’s hardest trials from a place of deep brokenness, often without the luxury of a support system. I resolved to become a catalyst for their healing.
Since childhood, creative expression through writing, singing, dancing, acting, hair, and beauty has been my voice. Over time, I noticed that everywhere I went, people were inspired by my work, drew influence from my style, and sought my advice. I realized I could turn that impact into an enterprise, which prompted me to launch SHÍANTÍ Beauty.
Today, my vision extends far beyond beauty alone. I am expanding my reach to use all my creative gifts to inspire women. My mission is to show others that despite brokenness, flaws, or a lack of initial support, everything you need is already within you. The gifts, habits, and passions you carry even those that feel unconventional can be cultivated and monetized not only to build your own life, but to bless others. Scripture calls us to be fruitful and multiply; my goal is to exhaust every gift God has given me to do just that.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My path has been anything but smooth. One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced is a profound lack of support and a deep experience of rejection, even from family. When people recognize strength or greatness in you, they often assume you don’t need help, praise, or a hand up. They withhold encouragement assuming you already know your worth, or worse, they step into your life only to see how they can benefit from your gifts.
Navigating these challenges alone left me in extremely vulnerable situations. Choosing to step away from toxic family dynamics and honor my own path meant enduring severe loss. I have faced homelessness, lost homes and physical possessions, and navigated scary health trials.
Yet today, I stand as the strongest version of myself. Through every season of loss, I discovered what cannot be taken: my faith in God and my creative expression. Physical things can come and go, but those two anchors remain untouched. That endurance is what fuels my desire to show other women that no matter how broken or unsupported you feel, what God placed inside you is more than enough to rebuild.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m a multi-disciplinary creative entrepreneur. I own SHÍANTÍ Beauty, which is built on the foundation of honoring inner beauty and expressing it outward through hair, makeup, nails, skincare, and wellness routines. Beyond traditional beauty, I run a ministry called Thy Kingdom Way, and I’ve merged both platforms to serve women navigating severe hardship. I believe financial stress or life’s trials should never rob anyone of the dignity of self-care, so I provide complimentary beauty services to women in need or experiencing homelessness.
On top of that, I’m currently a Student Chef completing my degree in Culinary Arts to launch a series of new culinary endeavors, and I’m a lifelong performing artist—singer, dancer, actor, and model. Ultimately, I’m known for taking all the creative gifts God gave me and using them to elevate, inspire, and serve others.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First and foremost, the ultimate credit for everything that has taken place in my life belongs to God. Without Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him, I would be nowhere. Through every season whether at the highest of highs or the lowest of lows, His grace is what pulled me out of the darkest places and anchored me in the highest. He will always hold the top place as my ultimate source of strength and support.
Beyond that, I am deeply grateful for the individuals who stepped into my path when I needed it most. I want to give a massive shoutout to the incredible staff at House of Refuge Sunnyslope in Arizona (now known as Phoenix 6:10). That was where I received my very first opportunity to serve in ministry back in 2022, shortly after my mother passed away.
I will also never forget those who opened their hearts and doors to provide me with shelter and a home when I had nowhere to go: creator and influencer Sweetlikeoyin, and her sister, Edisemi. A special shoutout to my younger brother, Unisa Turay, who is doing phenomenal things on his own path today. Major shout out to Craig and Deja, & Chinye who played a vital role during one of the darkest seasons of my life, as well as the staff of Star of Hope and my support team at Life church without all of you, I truly wouldn’t be standing here doing what I am doing today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ashianti-turay/praying-the-scriptures-31-day-devotional-for-women/ebook/product-q68246n.html?page=1&pageSize=4
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golden_shiantii
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@goldenshianti
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@b1essednfavoured
