D'Shonda Brown

D'Shonda Brown is a culture curator, storyteller and public speaker from Brooklyn, New York. Her love and passion for journalism is demonstrated in her bylines across Sad Girls Club, Blavity, America Hates US, Snobette and The RapFest. As a mental health advocate and suicide attempt survivor, in 2019, D’Shonda became Mental Health First Aid Certified for adults and children, and graduated from the Advocacy Ambassador Program by National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Money Talks

The 34-Year-Old Social Media Influencer Who Embraces Her Sexuality While Saving Smart

Keep reading... Show less

Money Talks

The 41-Year-Old Personal Brand Strategist That Saves $15K A Month

Keep reading... Show less

Money Talks

The 45-Year-Old Financial Expert Who Swears By Investing In Multiple Investment Accounts

Keep reading... Show less

Finding Balance

Buzzfeed's Freddie Ransome Likes To Spark Up In Order To Wind Down

Keep reading... Show less

Actress Sasheer Zamata On Being 'Woke', Saying No & Manifesting The Career She Wants

xoNecole: How has your life as a Black woman impacted your career as an actress and comedian?

How would you say that Hollywood, in comedy and acting, has demonstrated racial bias, sexism, or colorism against Black women? Have you personally ever experienced any discrimination?

Now that you're in your 30s, what would you say you've learned about yourself professionally and personally in your twenties that can be applied to your day-to-day life now?

If you could tell your "green" industry self anything in advance about comedy and entertainment, what would it be and why?

How have you been using your platform in comedy to address the intolerances of the Black community?

While we're in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, how have you seen comedy shift the conversation to racial injustices?

What is next for you? Any upcoming projects that we should be on the lookout for to support?

The 34-Year-Old Social Media Influencer Who Embraces Her Sexuality While Saving Smart

On how much she saves and if it’s in a high-yield savings account:

On her definitions of wealth and success:

On the lowest she’s ever felt when it came to her finances and how she overcame it:

On her biggest splurge to date:

On whether she’s a spender or a saver:

On the importance of investing:

On her savings goals and what retirement looks like to her:

On her budgeting must-haves:

On her intentions behind multiple streams of revenue:

On unhealthy money habits and mindsets:

On her money mantra:

On the craziest thing she’s ever done for money:

On the worst money-related decision she’s ever made:

On her budget breakdown:

Devi Brown Is Carving Out Space In The Wellness Industry For Women Of Color

On her initial interest in the wellness industry and carving spaces for women of color:

On how the music industry prepared her for her new career move at Chopra Global:

On her plans on using her role and Chopra Global as a platform to elevate wellness for women of color:

On how she has been personally impacted by Deepak Chopra's work:

On wellness, self-care and self-love practices in her everyday life:

On spiritual activism and generational trauma:

The 41-Year-Old Personal Brand Strategist That Saves $15K A Month

On her definitions of wealth and success:

On the lowest she’s ever felt when it came to her finances and how she overcame it:

On her biggest splurge to date:

On whether she’s a spender or a saver:

On her savings goals and what retirement looks like to her:

On the importance of investing:

On her budget-friendly must-haves:

On her intentions behind multiple streams of income:

On unhealthy money habits and mindsets:

On her money mantra:

On the craziest thing she’s ever done for money:

On the worst money-related decision she’s ever made:

On her budget breakdown:

The 45-Year-Old Financial Expert Who Swears By Investing In Multiple Investment Accounts

On the statistics of failed relationships due to financial instability:

On how relationships can be saved through financial wellness and managing money with your partner:

On how the pandemic has financially impacted couples and how to recover:

On how much she saves and if it’s in a high-yield savings account:

On her definitions of wealth and success:

On the lowest she’s ever felt when it came to her finances and how she overcame it:

On her biggest splurge to date:

On whether she’s a spender or a saver:

On the importance of investing:

On her savings goals and what retirement looks like to her:

On her budgeting must-haves:

On her intentions behind multiple streams of revenue:

On unhealthy money habits and mindsets:

On her money mantra:

On the craziest thing she’s ever done for money:

On the worst money-related decision she’s ever made:

On her budget breakdown:

Buzzfeed's Freddie Ransome Likes To Spark Up In Order To Wind Down

xoNecole: At what point in your life did you understand the importance of pressing pause and finding balance in both your personal and professional life?

What is a typical day in your life? If no day is quite the same, give me a rundown of a typical work week and what that might consist of.

What are your mornings like?

How do you wind down at night?

When you have a busy week, what’s the most hectic part of it?

Do you practice any types of self-care? What does that look like for you?

What advice do you have for busy women who feel like they don’t have time for self-care?

How do you find balance with:

Exercise?

Love/Relationships? Dating?

Friends?

What about health? Do you cook or find yourself eating out?

Do you ever detox?

When you are going through a bout of uncertainty, or feeling stuck, how do you handle it?

What do you do when you have a creative block on a project or feel like you have to clear your head before going into a project?

Honestly, what does success and happiness mean to you?