What truly is power? Is it an action? A presence? A state of being?
Is power used to justify or villify? Can power be passed down, like a sacred heirloom only those trusted with the legacy can hold onto? Can abused power be reborn? I asked Nikkea Sharee and Shivawn Mitchell these questions and they provided me some thought-provoking answers. Read along with me.
1. As Black women, how do you define power? How is power achieved?
N: For me, power is all about the will and desire to be a greater person than you were yesterday. What will you have the courage to say you WILL overcome versus what you want to? Taking the necessary steps to achieve your goals is the spirit of power personified.
S: Power is my ability to ignite the people around me or the community I’m attached to regarding the talents or gifts that aren’t being used or aware they have. Power is achieved by first learning and serving first - when you position yourself as a servant first, you open yourself to gain power “wisdom”.
2. In your opinion, what causes power to become tainted? What causes power to flourish?
N: Abuse of anything will always be a taint. Because power in itself is such a strong attribute, if someone uses it for selfishness or unfair leverage, it taints the image for those who may not have reached that same level. On the flip side, embracing the positive influence that comes with power and being a light to others can allow it to flourish. We should always want to ‘be’ the light without feeling the need to burn those who we shed light on.
S: Power becomes tainted when it’s driven by our egos and we use it to manipulate other individuals that we should be helping or empowering. Power, in turn, flourishes by our connection to serving and humility. It’s recognizing that power isn’t self-serving.
3. What superpower(s) are criminally slept-on?
N: Balance. I am always multitasking and perfecting multiple trades that I enjoy. For some, it can overwhelm. For me, the better I am at finding balance, the more I am able to achieve my goals. I think balance or time management should be taught at a young age so as people grow older, they can multiply that twenty-four hours in their day more effectively.
S: The superpower that’s slept on is Hope. Without hope, you can’t dream big. You can’t see the good in others. You can’t create from a healthy place.
4. Name your specialty superpower - the one that hasn’t been seen before.
N: I’d have to say it would be my ability to be unbothered by a lot of the BS floating around in the world. Oh, I see it. I feel it. However, the minute I realize that something could potentially drain my life force, I compartmentalize it. If I give that “thing” too much energy, I give it my power. And I refuse to give my power away. Therefore, I choose instead to focus my energy on the things that matter to me and my family.
S: The ability to see who people are supposed to be. I have the ability to pull the best out of people and push them into their God-given purpose.
5. If power was an antidote, what would it cure?
N: Fear.
S: Envy.
6. Knowledge is power. What would you like to teach the children?
N: Do your research. Don’t allow the words of the world to become your reality. It is up to you to dig into all this free information out there and decipher for yourself what is fact or fiction. What is true or fable. What you can apply to your life and what needs to be stored away.
S: That there is no limit in who they can be and where they can go. I would teach them that their voice matters and people need to hear what they have to say. That they don’t have to copy anyone else. That they were created to be original.
7. What do you have in the works that the world should know about?
N: I have several book, film and art projects in the works to be released this year. I encourage everyone to follow my journey and I welcome all feedback along the way!
S: I’m working on bringing some classes for creatives to the tri-cities areas for kids and adults to encourage filmmaking “storytelling”. Also, to complete a few book chats regarding my book Heal Your Art while also finishing up a few film projects.
Nikkea Sharee is the co-owner, producer, and creative director of Kweli Legacy, LLC. Essence Magazine’s Best Selling Author Nikkea Sharee has been a multimedia force for over a decade. Her award-winning novels span a variety of genres from drama, romance, murder mystery, poetry and even YA fiction. A noted spoken word artist, she has performed on stages from NY to LA.
Creativity, filmmaking and mental health wellness are key themes in Shivawn Mitchell’s life and career. The Virginia native and Wilkes University graduate wants to be remembered as a woman who gave others permission to live their dreams. As the author of two published books, podcast producer and owner of The Creative Outsiders, Shivawn is doing her part to make sure that voices are being represented throughout various mediums in media.
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