Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Mason.
Hi Keisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in a broken home with drug addictions, abuse, and molestation. I left home at age 15 leaving my two younger siblings behind to be raised by their paternal grandmother. I was their caregiver from the time they were born due to my stepfather being a truck driver and my mother being on drugs. I lived from place to place from friends to relatives. Later after graduating from my third high school. I got custody of my siblings while living with who I now call my adopted family. My mother passed away when I was 30 just shy of her 46 birthday (yes, she had me at 16). Fast forward, I had my first child at 19 and married 2 abusive men. I am now the divorced mother of 4 (3 adults and one 10-year-old) and a grandmother of 4.
I took a leap of faith and decided to pursue my dreams of modeling. I have now been modeling seriously for 10 years now. I am multi-published. I expanded my dreams and started to try acting; appearing on BET’s “Big Fifty- the Delrhonda Hood Story” and several other small cinema movies. I am now headed to L.A. Fashion Week to do my first runway show while still being a mother, and grandmother and working a full-time job at the tender age of 49. I have seen death, despair, and violence but still kept fighting. I knew I had a purpose, God had a purpose for my life and here I am. If only to be a walking testimony to someone else.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My road was paved with abuse, molestation, drugs, and homelessness. I raised 3 of my 4 children alone. I spent my 30th birthday preparing my mother’s body for her funeral after seeing her leave this earth.
I survived being abused in my previous marriages and molested by family members, living from house to house. Now after it all, I can say I’ve come a long way. I’ve been told I’m too old to model “try something else”. You are too short, how can you do that and still raise your son and be a grandmother? I didn’t come this far to give up.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Payroll Tax Supervisor. I supervised a team of tax analysts for a medical company with over 33 thousand employees and 16 business ids. I am most proud of my ability to communicate effectively with my peers. I create and streamline processes between departments for an easy transition.
I think what sets me apart from others is my versatility and experience in my field with over 26 years of payroll experience and working on both sides of the spectrum (payroll service company and now client side). I can relate and communicate effectively the needs of both sides while still being creative.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can reach me via email at mzkeishathemodel@gmail.com, IG: @officially_keisha_; TikTok – @mz_keisha04, and Facebook: Kei Shanae.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_officially_keisha_
- Facebook: Kei Shanae
- Twitter: Mz_K
Image Credits
P.A. Green, Grumpy Panda, and Tim Rodgers
