We recently had the chance to connect with Shameika Rhymes and have shared our conversation below.
Shameika, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Yes, I would absolutely hire me. I’m intentional about the kind of stories I tell and the spaces I create. Through my shows Check the Rhymes TV, Soulibration, and The Ladies Edition Podcast, I’ve built platforms that center authentic conversations, celebrate culture, and empower people to use their voices. I’m proud that my work entertains while it educates and leaves people feeling seen. I’d hire me because I lead with empathy, purpose, and a genuine love for connecting through storytelling and I bring that same energy to every team I’m part of.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an entertainment and lifestyle journalist, TV host, producer, and storyteller who loves all things old school and pop culture. I founded Pearl Grove Media LLC to bring my creative projects under one umbrella and to continue building platforms that highlight authentic storytelling and meaningful conversations.
My journey began in 2009 with TheMofochronicles.com, which started as a dating blog and grew into “My Own Freaking Observations,” a space where I share entertainment, lifestyle, and health content with humor and honesty. I am also a member of the North Carolina Film Critics Association, and I regularly publish movie reviews on TheMofochronicles.com.
As a freelance journalist, I have written for Vanity Fair, Ebony, Essence, Shondaland, Parade, Zola, and WEtv.com, and I have contributed stories for the National Museum of African American Music and NBC Universal. I have also written cover stories for Studio Gannett/USA Today Magazines.
I host Check the Rhymes TV, where I sit down with celebrities and music legends for candid, nostalgic conversations that take audiences beyond the headlines. I also host Soulibration, a live lifestyle talk show on BlackDoctor.org, where I lead discussions on wellness, relationships, and personal growth, and I moderate BlackDoctor.org’s health and wellness summits and panels. In addition, I co-host Ladies Edition, a podcast that provides a safe space for women to share their experiences with fibroids, endometriosis, and other health challenges.
What makes my work unique is that I create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and inspired. Whether I am hosting, producing, or writing, my goal is to entertain while educating and to tell stories that make an impact.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was during high school when I was the only Black cheerleader on my squad. Every Friday night, a group of little Black girls would stand at the fence watching me cheer on the sidelines. They would mimic the motions, smile, and cheer right along with me. When the band played and we danced, they danced right along with me. They always yelled, “hey Black cheerleader!” At the time, I didn’t fully understand what that meant, but looking back, I realize they saw themselves in me. I felt powerful because my presence showed them what was possible. That moment taught me that representation matters and that showing up as your authentic self can inspire others in ways you may not even realize.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain after a breakup in 2004 that completely changed my life. I had spent years in a relationship where I was cheated on and disrespected, and walking away from the man I thought I would marry forced me to face myself and start over. During that time, I hid my heartbreak while watching my friends get married to the loves of their lives, smiling through pain I didn’t yet know how to name. Writing became my therapy, and what began as journaling evolved into TheMofochronicles.com five years later. That blog became a turning point because it gave me a voice and taught me the power of owning my story instead of being defined by it.
Later in life, my journey with fibroids and the realization that I would not be able to have children brought a different kind of pain, but also a deeper purpose. After my hysterectomy, I knew I needed to speak out. That experience inspired me to co-create Ladies Edition, a podcast that gives women a safe space to talk openly about fibroids, endometriosis, and reproductive health. It also helped shape the way I show up on Soulibration, where I share my own experiences and lead conversations that connect, heal, and empower. Through every stage of my story, I learned that vulnerability is strength, and that turning pain into purpose can help others find their own power too.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to creating spaces where people can show up as their real selves and feel seen, heard, and understood. Whether it’s through Check the Rhymes TV, Soulibration, or Ladies Edition, my goal has always been to blend storytelling, authenticity, and purpose. I believe in using media to heal, educate, and empower. The person you see on camera is the same person behind the scenes, curious, compassionate, and deeply invested in helping others tell their truth. This work isn’t about fame or numbers for me. It’s about impact. I’ll keep building platforms that amplify real voices and spark real change for as long as it takes.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m absolutely doing what I was born to do. From a young age, I was fascinated by people and their stories. I still remember winning second place in the 4th grade Thomas Wolfe Essay Contest for a piece I wrote about the Great Depression. I took the time to interview neighbors that had experienced living through it to paint a powerful picture. That moment made me realize how powerful storytelling could be. As I grew older, that love of writing and connecting with people evolved into interviewing, hosting, and creating spaces where others could share their truth. Whether it’s through Check the Rhymes TV, Soulibration, or Ladies Edition, I know I’m walking in my purpose. This is exactly what I was meant to do; tell stories that inform, inspire, and remind people that their voices matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TheMofochronicles.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shameikarhymes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChecktheRhymesTV/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/checktherhymestv
- Other: Merchandise Store: https://check-the-rhymes-tv-stowe.creator-spring.com/
Image Credits
Jon Strayhorn for the Check the Rhymes photo in front of the marqee
