Today we’d like to introduce you to Nashara Hilton, owner and CEO of The Blaqklist.
Hi Nashara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Heyyy luvvvs! My name is Shara AKA Chayluvv and I’m currently an event curator! I’m originally from Texas with Creole roots. I’ve had many obstacles to overcome in my life, but I also consider myself very blessed.
Though it was great learning about different cultures and interactions, I always had to start over wherever I went as a military brat having to move almost every other year,. One thing I realized I was good at, was bringing people together and analyzing social situations. I dealt with a lot growing up not feeling like I ever really fit into a specific group of people, but somehow found a way to bring people together who otherwise may not have even spoken to each other. When I was younger, I was severely bullied through to the end of middle school which affected me so badly, that I still sometimes feel the effects of it today. Meeting my best friends (nicknamed) Toad (@Shawnzelle) and Sheke during my final year of middle school, as well as Que, and having them through most of high school while being involved in theater changed my life.
I am in no way a perfect person, but I’ve always maintained a loving, giving heart for people in general, most times putting them before myself or giving my last – sounds cheesy, but it’s been both a blessing and a curse. I always had the goal of doing something that I loved that could bring others together and give them a safe space where I also had creative control. With that in mind, my vision transformed a million times along the way. I’ve always loved supporting Black-Owned businesses, especially because I know our history with this country and how hard our ancestors have had to work just for us to even have the opportunity to get to where we are now.
Pre-covid, I noticed I was always trying to find Black or women-owned businesses to support, but that was difficult because there was no centralized place to go to – and most search engines were frustrating because you have to type “Black” in front of everything, and even then, it may not bring the results that you need. So that’s where the idea for a directory came about. I though, for one, have very minimal experience with tech, and trying to create an app or find someone to do it was very challenging. I also realized that I was all over the place with information overload from all the different businesses and locations; it was like Inception in real life! I needed to find my niche and began to try focusing on things that I love.
I’ve always loved Theater and the arts and have been involved literally since I can remember. During that time, I thought it would be great to create a space for people to just, be themselves, happily and without judgment. I began reaching out to artists and photographers who exemplified these ideals, eventually leading to one of my 1st events during covid – an online Open Mic during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I had been through it myself as well, so I created that space for people to express themselvesand not feel alone. It was only about 20 people and I believe 4-5 musicians and poets – but being able to bring something like that together felt amazing.
This point, led to my first modeling event that I put together called “Snap Sesh” for both amateurs and professionals, providing a safe space for them to build their confidence, give photographers space to practice their skills in a non-judgemental environment, and just have fun! Since then, I’ve been planning multiple events, with my most recent success being “Single’s Night”, where I put together an entire ticketed show full of comedians, interactive audience games, food, drinks, speed-dating – and more. When I saw I was able to do that, it encouraged me to see, “maybe I am capable of building something great”, and to keep going – hence, The Blaqklist was born.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth would have been lovelyyy – but then again, when would the growth occur? My journey has been crazy, challenging, wild, and interesting and although there’s not tons I would change, one thing I wish was that I had taken advantage of more opportunities that arose along the way.
Lacking confidence has held me back from pursuing a lot of opportunities presented to me, making me feel like I wasted a lot of my talent. One of my biggest challenges has been dealing with extreme depression, to the point that I was unable to operate for days and even weeks at a time. There were times when I felt so inspired and would pour my heart into things, yet a week later, I wouldn’t be able to operate, my surroundings became a tornado of unorganized mess, and I cried over the simplest thoughts when I was alone. I also have ADHD and have so many things that I love to do/I’m good at, but many that I didn’t master or could decide to stick with/focus on, leaving me as a Jack of All Trades, and seemingly a master of few. Coping with that while trying to find my path in life has not made things easy.
While trying to work on myself, I ended up in a position where I didn’t have a stable place to live and was going through a lot personally, emotionally, and with relationships/friendships, constantly feeling alone and under-appreciated, being laid off my job, being betrayed financially, and suffering my biggest heartbreak right before the discovery of having a child during one of the worst times of my life. I felt like my life was over, nobody would want me, and I would have to do everything alone – not realizing the amazing impact that my family and some of my close friends would play in my life, making me realize I was never truly alone, and that God has bigger plans for me and those in my life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The name the Blaqklist was created as a space most specifically for Black empowerment, promoting entrepreneurial success and garnishing support in the communities. It’s spelled that way with the “q’ and “k” meaning “queens and kings”. I put the Q first because women are not often initially thought of when defining success and entrepreneurship.
I currently consider myself somewhat of an event planner as well as a safe space creator. I want to bring people together and facilitate events that not only are fun but allow people to come out of their shells while being able to be fully who they are and enjoy themselves in the process. Facilitating crowd interactions at my events is key to what I do, as I’ve been to too many functions where nobody is talking or engaging with each other or the host, and we can’t have that!
Right now, I’m in the process of securing funds, and partnerships and still trying to get things off the ground, but collaboration and community is HUGE for me. Mental and nutritional health has always been a big part of my life, so one of my physical goals is to eventually own a Hub space where events would not only be held, but allow for “safe space” events for people to come together and commune, relax and be able to have a place to discuss their life, plans and let go of stress, and hopefully find a friend or partnership in the process, because we’re not meant to go through this life alone!
I also want to collaborate with other B.O.B.’s to start community gardens and put together classes including affordable, healthy eating, financial literacy, and learning spaces for African, Black, and Native history outside of just MLK that they may have never been taught, for both adults and kids.
I’d also love to have a center that helps single parents and those who may have fallen on hard times and need temporary places to stay to get on their feet. I currently do Blessing Bags every year where I buy bags/backpacks to keep in my car and fill them with necessties, make food and hand out jackets to any house-less people I encounter on my day-to-day, and give to anyone else who wants to help pass them out as well. Lastly, I love to travel (and eat!), so I have been working out something to possibly do a podcast series with that and mental health. I have quite a few more ideas as actually, but you’re just going to have to follow (or reach out to me if you would like to collaborate!) and stay tuned!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I wouldn’t necessarily say luck, as that’s not something that I believe in, but I will say many of the experiences that I’ve had and the people that I’ve encountered have had such a profound role in where I am today. Just remember to stay involved with your community, vote (and attend those town hall and city council meetings!), cherish those around you out loud, and stay positive!
Of course, we’d rather see your face at our upcoming events, but if you’d like to also get a feel of the vibes from past events or want to see the results of our work, please feel free to check out my social media @TheBlaqklist as well as my page, @Chayluvv. You can also feel free to donate to my cashapp $Chayluvv or reach out to me to inquire about other ways of funding!
I’d also love to shoutout those who’ve helped me to get to where I’m at; God, my Granny, my Mom and Dad, and my sister and brother, as well as my baby sister who passed away that I continue to miss, my extended family, my friends and supporters, @Soledidit, @Nijha_gold, Joshua L., @Jayjay22prince, Aris, @Truelifexavier, @Therealme_quill, @Spiritualvibes_, @Chetdz_of_blue and so many more!
Also, some amazing people I’ve worked with/met on my journey: @Sysmvmnt, Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III and Shavon from Black Church Food Security Network (BCFSN) who has had a profound impact on my life, Tazz, Doc, Irving, Metroo and others from King Vader’s WolfGraphic films, my friends from AACC who have been there since I moved to Maryland, those I’ve been involved with while I was President of the Youth NAACP, YAVIM (Youth Against Violence in Music) for helping me get back into the arts, including my piano teacher Mr. Levar Betts, my church Kingdom Celebration Center, @Stricklynickly, @
Thank you to those who took the time to read my story, and I wish you much success on your journeys!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/theblaqklist
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theblaqklist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBlaqklist?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nashara-theblaqklist
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theblaqklist2089?si=jJJoQfAv8HjO1sw7
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/share/XVcEouRAToUNoQjX/?mibextid=KR3qBd
Image Credits
@Soledidit, @Penthouseentertainmentllc, @Moody.arw, @Kasawnwoods, @Forbinfilms, and @Weh.pictures
