Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanice King.
Hi Shanice, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
How did I start, and how did I get here today? Is it insane that I can finally answer this question after being who I am since somewhere in the ’90s? Yes, I am wholehearted a ’90s baby first and foremost; I would never change a thing about it. The nostalgia of it all gets me through each day in the current moment. From Nickoloaden to Sister Act 1 & 2 is a brief idea of what consumed my attention. I adore every memory from my childhood because as I grow into the woman I am becoming; I reference all the dreams the little girl from the ’90s desired. I was obsessed with my first cassette tapes by Monica and Celine Dionne, piquing my interest in rap for the first time when I discovered OutKast and developed a love for the technology of floppy disks. These years were good to me. I was born in Gadsden, Alabama. A country town with heart, ambition, and soul.
Gadsden, Alabama, is responsible for the sweet in Shani Sweets. Now, I have an unorthodox upbringing. By the time I was four years old, I was in the Bronx, New York, with my mother and great-grandmother. A ton more cherished memories and experiences took place in the city that never sleeps. Like the time I called the police to my great-grandmothers’ house to check if they would show up in case of an emergency. This house is a home to over 100 family members and foster care kids. Not at the same time, of course. Here, I developed a love for fashion, and I admired my mother braiding her box braids. I fell for everything Mary J. Blidge and learned how to feed a home.
I also lived in Atlanta, where I was fortunate to experience a different style of southern hospitality. I soon moved to New Haven, CT as well. The moving around opened my eyes to endless possibilities at a very young age. My mom being a New Yorker, played a part in my independence and awareness. I was always paying attention to my surroundings and soaking up the cultures I experienced. By the time I moved to New Haven, I was eight years old and not too fond of the big move. I spent all my years here until after beginning high school. Here is where my interest became evident. I fell in love with everything creative from dance, music, art, and writing. I believe I manifested my career in the 6th grade. Only ’90s kids understand disconnecting the phone line to use AOL dial-up, and I was one of them.
Chat rooms were popular in the early 2000s, and as a kid, I wanted to explore my imagination. I began writing stories based on my favorites like Bow Wow, Jennifer Freeman, Megan Goode, B2k, and more. I loved to read books by Sista Soldier, they were my mom’s, but I would sneak to read them. I would study the stories I read and create my own in the online chat room. I was publishing chapters weekly and generating my fan base without any clue that this would be what I would do as an adult. I was doing this for fun, and I never shared this with anyone outside of the chat. My mom had a small idea. As a single mom of three, her focus was I was safe, fed, and happy; she would have to go to work. Other than writing, I would also study everything Pop television. I dreamed I’d work for B.E.T like Free, MTV like LaLa, and Hot 97 like Angie Martinez. I was even open to starting from the bottom like Fonzworth Bently, Diddy’s former assistant.
After growing older and making my way to college, I lost confidence in what I wanted to do; I ultimately forgot. Life has a way of doing that when you’re unable to participate in certain activities as a child. There was still a fire inside for me to become successful, to find my place and purpose in this world. At 23, I moved to North Carolina, giving college another shot, giving myself a real chance. Accepted into Shaw University, I pursued studying Mass Communications, but I didn’t know which direction I would go. I soon fell in love behind the microphone and adopted the name Shani Sweets from an instructor. It all began on The Blaze on WSHA 88.9 F.M was the only college station on F.M airways. The Blaze was short-winded as the schools’ radio station became compromised, sold, and shut down right when I found my way to my dream. I soon began networking around the city and joined a radio team from St. Augustine University. Most Wanted Radio was transitioning from college radio to online radio at 72.9 The Voice. I was with the platform until shortly before graduation in 2019, when I took time to focus on the final months as an underground.
During final exams and producing a capstone tv project, my advisor and school mom found a way to ask me about going for my master’s degree. I guess this was her last chance to ask and implement the idea in my head. After graduation, I thought of this idea throughout the summer until I found myself applying for the Full Sail University New Media Journalism Master’s program. Who would have known the pandemic would take place in one of the most prime years of my life? It didn’t stop anything; instead, it gifted me the time I needed and deserved to focus on my life; fully. On December 18, 2020, I ranked second highest in the graduating class as salutatorian. I also proactively designed my capstone project into a business, The Sweet Spot Media.
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?
I’m an advocate for self-healing and breaking generational chains, and I would be doing a disservice if I wasn’t transparent about the obstacles I’ve faced. Through the entire process to where I am today, it wasn’t until 2020 where I discovered who I am and accepted all of my imperfections. It took sacrifices that I wouldn’t allow myself to make until realizing I was holding myself back; Not visiting my family but once a year, leaving people behind. It also took losing when you thought you were winning, only to start back over. The biggest struggle was facing myself for all I had acted naively towards. I was unhappy, and I realized I had been for over half of my life, but I ignored it. I didn’t understand why I didn’t understand depression or anxiety. It was never a subject in my home.
I opened myself up to blaming others for my upbringing, blaming myself, and then hating myself. Hating myself for all that I felt I allowed to happen to me; sexual abuse, emotional abandonment, bullying, and public humiliation. Going through depression as an adult sheds light on being depressed as early as eight years old. It wasn’t until after graduation in 2019 that all of these suppressed feelings began to reverse, and I decided to heal from it all; Meaning more sacrificing of toxicity in relationships, friendships, and self. I was determined to make my dreams of happiness, togetherness, and success come true, but first, I had to face all the generational chains linked to my family. I had to go within to do so while working, going to school, building a business, and being a role model as best I knew for my younger siblings. I’m the oldest of seven, and I love them all more than I have ever expressed, and I have them in my heart with every move I make towards success. It’s always been a pride of mine to be a big sister. And I can only thrive to become a better one.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What sets The Sweet Spot Media apart; Focusing on healing the generational damage through self. As I began to heal, I was inspired to create a platform to inspire others to talk about overcoming their struggles and conquering the sweeter side of life. Sweet Spot Media is not the typical entertainment platform. Its purpose is to offer a safe place for all entertainers, creators, and entrepreneurs to be transparent free of judgment or manipulation. You can read the latest in the Sweet Spot at Shaniceking.com or listen in on Power 95.5 F.M. on Saturdays (10 AM -3 PM) and Sundays (2 PM-6 PM). Here is an opportunity to share gems, speak on overcoming, and encourage one another to practice self-care. The Sweet Spot Media embodies positivity, kindness, and support while acknowledging it’s not always easy. Right now, I am known for my writing on the Sweet Spot and my radio show; I recently crossed my one-year mark, November 18, 2021. I am so grateful for this experience, and I am proud that I have created this idea that allows me to be myself 100% and extend the same opportunity to others.
I pride myself on the fact that I everything myself with little to no assistance. The name, the design templates on ShaniceKing.com, the message, the writing, the photo editing, the graphics were all done by me. I would love to have genuine help from more creators, but I love to know I possess every tool I need to bring my dream to life. One day this will be one of the largest media companies dedicated to the well-being of the black culture with many great talents. You can support The Sweet Spot Media by visiting Shaniceking.com, adding merch to your cart, and sharing the sweet stories. Whether you’re interested in sharing your stories, or other services like live event coverage, event hosting, or ambassador you can contact me at sweetmedia@shaniceking.com.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Developing my business in Raleigh has been a blessing. I am grateful for choosing this place as home as I transitioned into adulthood. I have been here for six years and, I decided to step out on faith here, and it was the best decision I have made. Raleigh has welcomed a country-city girl embracing me and allowing me to find comfort and fire to excel. Raleigh is where my life changed for the better and where I found who I am, just as I set out to do when I decided to leave Alabama. This place is a beautiful melting pot full of history down the street from more in Durham, North Carolina. North Carolina is full of undeniable talent and drive. I consider myself adopted by the Carolina music scene and I enjoy every piece of discovery in it. Raleigh is home to me; I am a Shaw Bear!
Contact Info:
- Email: sweetmedia@shaniceking.com
- Website: Shaniceking.com
- Instagram: therealsweets__
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetspotmediallc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shani_Sweets
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiOZQ-TVy4nVBh1ziw0zIrw
Image Credits
@QuanVuitton
@VuittonVisionz
Trinity Amanda
