Shawnee T.

The Gem of Difference💎: Body Acceptance 🥰
I've always had a touch and go relationship with my body. Coming from an age where thick and curvy wasn't the vibe, and I, always being a thick and curvy girl, I felt out of place oftentimes. Not only in the world but in my body. I had to begin move through this path of self love, and understanding that this is my body and it's beautiful as is. Then came my scoliosis diagnosis in 2018 😑 which brought a new level of insecurity.
I recall hearing stories and seeing images of those who had more severe progressions of the condition and became concerned how it may continue to develop in me.
I started to take notice of how my shoulders was higher on one side, and how I seemed to naturally favor my right over my left. I tried to hide it, shifting my body to make it more even, straightening my shoulders so I looked "normal". And I think it worked for awhile, but you’re difference will always shine through.
In reviewing pictures from a photoshoot with my model mentor she noticed how in one picture my rib seemed to stick out kinda far. I had to confess my condition to her, where she gave me the charge to either hide it, forever having to be conscious of it. Or step into it and let it be my superpower 💪🏾
I choose the later.
The same day that I was diagnosed my chiropractor asked me what I did for a living. I told him that I was a yoga instructor. He said that my daily practice of yoga was saving from experiencing any worse symptoms. And would suggest that I continue it throughout my life. Yoga has helped me tremendously throughout this process. Not only in a physical sense, helping to ease pains in my body but it also helped me mentally receive and truly accept all of who I am. 😌
Now, I have my flaws, and some insecurities still rear their ugly head but I also know that my body my mind and my spirit is strong. I am a Warrior and a true body of work 💯 Uniquely and wonderfully made 💜

Photography: Steve Deisig/Darron Whitsett 📸

Happy June!!🌻🌞
June not only signifies the start of summer but it's also National Scoliosis Awareness month. Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve and twists to one side or the other. This is a relatively common condition, affecting upwards of 9 million people in the US, I✋🏾being included in that number.
Scoliosis generally occurs in adolescence, and can have a variety of causes from spinal cord irregularities to birth defects affecting the bone development of the spine. Some symptoms can include:
- Uneven shoulders
- One shoulder blade being more prominent than the other
- An uneven waist
- One hip being higher than the other
- One side of the ribcage pushing forward
- Prominence on one side of the back especially when bending forward

There are certain complications that comes with the condition, chronic back pain (especially if the curves are large and/or left untreated), appearance (having a noticeable difference in the look of the body structure). And in severe cases respiratory issues as the ribs may push up against the lungs making it hard to breathe. Treatment can vary from having regular doctor visits where they would observe any further growth of the curve to needing a back brace or even surgery to "correct" the issue. As far as pain management, investing in chiropractic care, massages, and other holistic practices such as yoga can potentially help with easing any pain or discomfort that one can experience.

I was diagnosed with scoliosis back in 2018 by my chiropractor at the time and later was given an xray that confirmed it. Although it is a constant journey of acceptance I embrace my condition. I know that it's not a weakness but one of the many things that makes me strong! 💪🏾

In this month we take the time to highlight this condition, understand what it is, why it's caused and how it's effects can be reduced. I am not only an advocate but I am a part of the community of warriors who live with it everyday. So we take this month to celebrate us and our beautiful difference 💚

I want to personally thank each and every single person who came out to support the final stage read of the New Play Reading Series!
I also want to thank First Look Buffalo Theatre Company for allowing the space for this production to be seen as well as giving me the opportunity to direct it.
To the cast : Davida Evette Tolbert , Mary Craig , VerNia Sharisse Garvin , Nikita Williams , Jon Cesar , Tony Grande , Mark Tramont, Daniel Greer, and Shanda Gardner, I am grateful for each and every single one of you! You made those characters come off of the paper and live on that stage 🙌🏾 I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to bring this thing to life, thank you ❤
And last but certainly not least I want to thank the playwright Ms. Breanna C Venablé for creating such an amazing pivotal piece of work and trusting us to be able to deliver it in the way that you envisioned 🙏🏾
I want to again thank everyone who showed their love and support, my heart is truly filled 🥰❤

It's giving militant black poet 🪖✊🏾vibes
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Buffalo New Generation Fashion Week Show
Model: Shawnell Tillery
Designer: La Kei` Boutique
MUA: CE Eaton
Photography: Jeremy Lyman (Lyman Photography) 📸

Pretty in pink 💗
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Buffalo New Generation Fashion Week Show
Model: Shawnell Tillery
MUA: Stephanie Fernández Báez
Designers: Aleksandra/ KNITch
Photography: Jeremy Lyman (Lyman Photography) 📸