Rising Stars: Meet Brandi Bernert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandi Bernert.

Hi Brandi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My family roots are from Baltimore. My mother was from Baltimore where she met my dad and eventually moved out west to Colorado. My mother would visit her family in Baltimore in the summer months and I would travel along. When I was a child, I instantly fell in love with the city’s culture, art, restaurants, and lifestyle; therefore, promised myself I will never lose these roots and be more involved with the city.

As a result, I recently purchased a small row house condo in the East Broadway area to renovate. I currently work from home as a fashion designer, paintings, and clothing tailor; the majority of my work is posted on the internet or trade shows, so this would be the perfect opportunity to purchase a condo and make the move. Sure the condo needs major renovations but I have time to repair it and am very crafty in the construction area.

This is an exciting move because I can incorporate my art with Baltimore’s art scene. Baltimore’s art scene is by far a hidden gem. In addition, I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work with a minor in Political Science and Ethnic studies and as a successful black woman, it is time to use my skills and education and pay it forward to help develop the younger women in our communities so they can grow up to be fabulous, successful, and confident.

I also have plans in the making to physically give back to the community, in addition to my educational background, I am a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, and track and field coach and started my own fitness programs in Colorado. My condo is located in the East Broadway area, which houses many of our city’s elderly; I too plan will start free fitness programs for the elderly in my neighborhood; it will bring the neighborhood morale up. Youth track programs have also crossed my mind, to distract kids from streets shenanigans but one project at a time.

So I want to continue these Baltimore roots and bring my optimistic, alpha attitude to the city and bring my skills to our community. Our city’s community has the potential to once again strive like it once was during the 1950s and 1960s. We just need community starters and I will am willing to step up and give back to our community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road is never smooth but if you drive an alter-terrain vehicle you won’t get stuck and ride over those potholes, metaphorically.

As a single black mother, I have experienced my share of racism, sexism, and prejudices; but if I let those shortcomings negatively affect me they win and that is what they want, to keep me down. I am too competitive to lose.

Therefore, I made it point to break those negative stereotypes, my son is not dead or in jail with career goals, I have a formal education, good credit, own two properties, no help from the government, car paid off, no drugs, and physically and mentally rejuvenated.

The negativity should fuel your success. It will make you even stronger and more confident to do anything.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My mother taught me to sew so I took those skills and started an online clothing store boutique: Downtown City, 1995. My online boutique makes one-of-a-kind outfits. I will design a custom outfit that comes with a dress, trousers, top, or jumpsuit, along with a matching bag and corresponding jewelry. I make custom sizes just contact our shop with measurements.

My boutique is unique because not one of the outfits is duplicated.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Making the move to Baltimore is a risk. The majority of my mother’s family are deceased. This is an independent decision. After living in Colorado for forty years and moving to a new place will be exciting and challenging.

Sometimes a risk needs to be made, in order for your goals to be achieved. I have made risks opening Downtown City, 1995; financial worries, or people not liking my designs but if I didn’t take that risk I would never know and be stuck in the developmental stages.

Life is too long or too short, depending on your perspective, to not work on achieving your goals no matter what goals they are.

Take the risk and find out.

Contact Info:

• Email: downtowncity1995@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DowntownCity
• Instagram: @downtown_city1995
• Facebook: Downtown City 1995
• Twitter: Downtown City 1995