“Peace to the people who raise the status of our culture with a cultivated mind.”  Read.  Research.  Remember.

• BA- Studied Political Science at Fisk University in Nashville, TN
• MA- Studied Digital Media Communications at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA
• Washington Semester Study Abroad Program (Justice) graduate, American University, Washington, D.C.
• Computer & Technology Library Specialist (public & academic)
• Community Outreach Director & Performing Artist for The Griot Project, LLC
• Marketing Director & Performing Artist for I, The Collective Band
• Freelance Performing Artist
• Freelance Graphic Designer & Blogger
• Editor for Blow Hair & Fashion Magazine (BW Studios)
• Founder, Director, Designer & Visual Artist for Designs by Shila Iris

My eyes are watching god…

“I’m planting seeds wherever I go.”

Performing collectively…

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: Soul of Buckeye

On stage w/the Griot Project

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION with Umojah Nation Reggae Band and the Griot Project at the Art & Soul of Buckeye Park in Cleveland.

Performing a poem inspired by the struggles and being a teacher for the teachers at Harvey Rice Elementary School’s fire burning Open House: August 2014

Is the Dream Still Alive? Black History Month Art Show that highlighted the art of 10 community artists!

Is the Dream Still Alive? Black History Month Art Show

Is the Dream Still Alive? Black History Month Art Show

Is the Dream Still Alive? Black History Month Art Show

Shaker Square Arts Festival. I enjoyed this!

Art & Poetry Workshops

Art & Poetry Workshops

Prepping the canvas for the Art & Poetry Workshops

Performing @ Kent State University for My Brother, My Sister Organization- Akoma!

@Kent State after a performance

Performing one of my favorite poems: “Inspired by Nina Simone” @Copley High School

The students @Copley High School were very intrigued and full of questions. Very supportive group of students.

THE GRIOT PROJECT: Copley High School

THE GRIOT PROJECT: Copley High School

THE GRIOT PROJECT: East End Neighborhood House community performance- Missing this brother – Rest in Peace Ghost (the bearded poet)

Facilitating Poetic Power and Art Workshops @ the Library

Reciting poetry for the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers http://www.clevelandstorytellers.com/home0.aspx

An intimate afternoon of poetry with THE GRIOT PROJECT and the community.

Art Show Performance #2

Transitioning Poetic Power into a Study Group/Think Tank…

The Think Tank in Oberlin at Ade’s Place, an African Art Gift Store (and if you look closely, you can see Musician & Actor “Mississippi” Charles Bevel) … http://www.yelp.com/biz/ades-place-oberlin, https://oncampus.oberlin.edu/source/articles/2009/10/28/adenike-sharpley-artist-residence-african-american-studies-owner-ades-place-main-street, http://www.blackradiodays.com/dfcharbev.htm

The Think Tank in Oberlin having lunch at Aladdin’s Eatery, http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2010/02/15/15-minutes-oberlin-shop-owner-miriam-adenike-sharpley/

BUCKEYE ARTS FESTIVAL: Sept 2014

Recording music with artist RaShimba Bloom

Women’s Empowerment Seminar: Speaking about my art and what inspires me…

Women’s Empowerment Seminar 2014

Women’s Empowerment Seminar 2014

Women’s Empowerment Seminar: With the award winning hair stylist, Aziza Yasmine of AIIZ Naturals

My art on display @ Cleveland State University. I was so happy about this!

Preparing for a performance…

This is how I prepare…

“Sending my love. Sending my L-O-V-E. Sending my Love to thee, sending my Love.

Turn Up the Volume Live Fine Tuning Session: June 2014

Kick off for University Circle’s Circlefest 2013-2014: Cleveland Public Library’s Martin Luther King Jr. Branch

Performing @ Life Source Yoga Studio August 2014: http://lifesourceyoga.com/

Artist LaToya Kent (far right) & friends @ the Turn Up the Volume Live Fine Tuning Session. Asante sana! Check out LaToya’s Sweet Oil Album http://clevelandtapes.com/album/sweet-oil

PASSPORT PROJECT fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/PassportProject

THE GRIOT PROJECT: Akron http://liveatmusica.com/

THE GRIOT PROJECT: Akron with Umojah Nation Reggae band and student Patrick Warner, poet in training.

The Griot PROJECT: Community RALLY for member RAYSHAWN ARMSTRONG R.I.P. GHOST, May 2014

Supporting Bianca Michelle’s CD release party @PASSPORT PROJECT, http://www.biancamichelle.com/

The Cleveland Public Library after hours ART program…

@Arts Collinwood

The Bottlehouse Brewery in Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Modeling for: http://www.afropunk.com/ Brooklyn, New York, August 2014

Featured model in Essence Magazine w/ photographer Keston Duke: http://kestonduke.photoshelter.com/#!/index http://www.essence.com/

Behind the scenes at the Sanata Magazine Fashion Show in Baltimore, MD (runway models): This is the issue my picture is featured in http://www.amazon.com/SANATA-INTERNATIONAL-BRAIDING-MAGAZINE-Volume/dp/B001NYXKWW

Modeling for Sanata Magazine: http://www.ebraiding.net/magazine_check.php

Modeling for Blow Magazine/AIIZ Naturals: http://aiiznaturals.com/

Photoshoot with I, the Collective Band

Modeling for Blow Magazine

Photographing Blow Hair & Fashion Magazine Publisher

Mix at CMA: The Cleveland Museum of Art with goddesses and gods http://www.clevelandart.org/events/special-events/mix-at-cma 🙂 Artists LaToya Kent http://clevelandtapes.com/album/sweet-oil and Rafique Sharif aka Free (Bes) https://soundcloud.com/free-bes & Author & Jewelry Designer Imani Allen http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Grind-Straight-Hustle/dp/1515014002

My Bachelor’s Degree ceremony in Nashville, TN 2006

Fisk University 2006

Receiving my Master’s Degree in Virginia Beach, VA 2010

Performing Love: standing by college sister’s side for her big day in the “A” (ATL)

I am happy to be alive! … and a graphic artist!

FAMILY: I’m an aunt! Cheering on our little football All Stars! So exciting! Go Braylan ad Michael!

FAMILY: Making sure this angel doesn’t fall!

FAMILY: The children and I @University Circle’s Parade the Circle

Receiving recognition for my art @Loganberry Books on Larchmere Avenue – connecting Cleveland, Ohio to Shaker Heights, Ohio

@Loganberry Books supporting community artists… so much love!

Art Workshops w/children (Buckeye/Shaker)

Art Workshops w/children (Buckeye/Shaker)

Art Workshops w/children (Buckeye/Shaker)

Art Workshops w/children (Buckeye/Shaker)

Art Workshops w/children (Buckeye/Shaker)

Art Workshops w/children (Buckeye/Shaker)

Art Workshops w/children (Buckeye/Shaker)

Art Workshops w/children (Buckeye/Shaker)

Reading selections of my poetry

A long time ago… when I first got into design…

Juneteenth by The Griot Project

My family is my foundation

Foundation

My brothers, sisters, parents, nieces & nephews.

My dad in the white shirt.

My mom

After a performance…

Meet the Pratts! 1st woman of African descent to graduate with a Masters Degree in Sports Management from Miami University of Oxford, and the 1st woman of African descent to model for the Sears Roebuck Catalog in Cleveland

Practicing with Umojah Nation Reggae Band

Merging our concepts…

When ideas become reality…

Juneteenth Event

My Masters graduation in Virginia Beach

My Father at my Master’s graduation

Ali and I and crew

Planning stage

My Library creations

Building

Stage presence

Library Display

Library Display

Library Display

Library Display

Library Displays

Library Displays

Library Displays

Library Displays

Library Displays

Performance Mode

Planning

Planning

Recording Studio: Great journey, I gave a lot of myself to these sessions. iSoloArtist. iEmerge in a duo.

Recording Studio

I was the Editor of BLOW Hair & Fashion magazine for 3 years. It is based in Cleveland, Ohio but circulates in Akron, Columbus, Detroit, Atlanta, Baltimore, and several other places around Northeast, Ohio. It is a privately-owned publication and is a platform for local hair and fashion stylists to advertise their work. Here are some of the issues that I edited: