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Some stories don’t unfold—they accelerate. From the buzz of Wilberforce’s music halls to the bright lights of 550 Madison Avenue, we trace how a sister’s blueprint, a fearless ask, and the quiet grind of craft turned campus life into a creative career. Our guest, Shava—songwriter, artist, producer, and proud Flint native—opens up about the unique alchemy of HBCU culture: choir discipline that builds stamina, student media that hones voice, and professors who raise the bar until excellence feels normal.

We walk through the moments that matter. Gospel Choir gave room to improvise; University Choir demanded precision and presence. That mix of freedom and rigor prepared her to seize opportunity when Sony’s HR leader stepped on campus. With support from the co‑op program, she landed in New York, learned the language of catalogs, copyright, and trademarks, and saw how legacy marketing protects and amplifies artists. Back home, she poured those lessons into education—mic’ing up students, producing stories, and turning classrooms into studios where young voices learn to lead.

The creative arc continues with “Through Me,” a faith-rooted project that carries both testimony and technique. She also shares the evolution of She Hope Publishing, an intentional shift toward optimism, ownership, and legal clarity for independent creators. If you’re hungry for practical steps—how to pitch internships, protect your work, balance service with studio time—this conversation delivers strategies you can use today. And if you needed a push, here it is: exhaust every possibility, because time moves whether you act or not.

If this story sparked something in you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs momentum, and leave a review with one step you’ll take this week. Your voice helps others find the show—and your action might start your next chapter.

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