Today we’d like to introduce you to Tangela Steele and Shemeka Sainvil.
Shemeka Sainvil and Tangela Steele are high school best friends, college roommates, each other’s maid of honor, and lifelong friends turned sisters. Together, they started Melanated Mindz, a 100% black and female-owned business. The two women’s journey began at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale. They had several classes together and became quick friends. After graduating from Dillard, they both ventured to Tallahassee to further their education and pave the path into adulthood.
Shemeka graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a degree in Accounting. After spending several years working in the field, she decided to change careers and become a teacher. She teaches middle school math to brilliant minds and enjoys every minute of it. She is a loving wife and mother of a daughter and son.
Tangela graduated from Florida State University (FSU) with a degree in accounting. She went on to obtain a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license and work in public accounting for a few years. Wanting to make a difference, Tangela also decided to change careers and go into education as an elementary and then high school teacher. She then progressed upward to become an Instructional Specialist working with state graded D and F schools to improve instruction and systemic practices in order to improve the school grade. She is now a Grants Administration Manager, where is she able to combine her love of the education field with her accounting talents. Tangela is in a committed relationship and is the mother of two girls.
Paths cross for a reason. Shemeka and Tangela share similar interests and similar passions. Together, they have combined their passion for making an impact in the life of the young. Understanding what it means to be Black in America, they want to help ensure that children of color are motivated, positively represented, and understand their power.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to success is never smooth! Although they are still on the journey to getting their business and brand to where they know it will be, they are optimistic about the future. One of the greatest struggles they have faced is with marketing, advertising, and establishing a social media presence. At the start of the business, they contracted with a well-known marketing firm with the hopes of moving the business forward. Unfortunately, they were met with disappointment. The social media representation that they thought would help to build their brand resulted in inappropriate posts that could have destroyed the brand.
From that point forward, they have taken control of the content that is put out about Melanated Mindz, but expert experience in the area is needed. They continue to struggle with finding the right fit to market the business. It is essential to find someone who is not only willing to work to make the brand strong but who also believes in the brand and what it stands for. Shemeka and Tangela have learned to not settle with a service simply because of the name, but to ensure that every aspect of the entity’s beliefs aligns with that of Melanated Mindz.
Melanated Mindz – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Melanated Mindz was created in 2019 after searching tirelessly for school supplies and resources that positively represented Black culture. Unfortunately, the research resulted in little positive representation but a tremendous amount of inaccurate portrayals of people of color. Realizing that representation is essential, Shemeka and Tangela decided to do something about it. They wanted to ensure that their children understand and embrace the power and influence of their culture, not just as African-Americans, but as Caribbean-Americans as well. They also wanted their children, and other children who look like them, to understand how all of the cultures work together to create the uniqueness and beauty of Black. They want all melanated kids to see and embrace positive images of their culture in order to understand that all goals are attainable. Melanated Mindz strives to bridge the gap, of culture and education while celebrating the richness of Black people.
Through the work of creating school resources, Shemeka and Tangela realized that meeting the social and emotional needs of young ones is essential. There was a time when families would sit at the dinner table together to have essential conversations. With the increase in technology, families are spending less time talking. Understanding the struggles people of color endure, Shemeka and Tangela wanted to help ensure kids and young adults are prepared for the obstacles they will face. Through this, Melanated Conversations was created. The aim is to bring families, friends, and loved ones together again to have critical and essential conversations in order to propel our youth forward and prepare them for life.
The struggles of the race became more evident with the 2020 pandemic and increased awareness of police brutality on people of color. Images of the murder of George Floyd and others flooded the news and Shemeka and Tangela found themselves having to take the conversations with their young ones deeper. The intent of the conversations was not only to make the kids aware of the social injustices that Blacks face, but the persistent fight of our ancestors, and the current protests and civil unrest. Discussions of Black Lives Matter and the role everyone plays in propelling the movement forward led Shemeka and Tangela to create The Social Action Box. They realized the pressing need to not only educate the young but prepare them to continue the fight for equality.
Melanated Mindz continues to evolve with the ultimate goal of being the business for everything a Black youth needs to feel empowered and encouraged. The business’s intent is to continue to provide positive portrayals of Melanin Magic but also serve to educate and uplift. The children are the future, but it’s up to us to ensure they have the resources and knowledge needed.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moments are in knowing their kids are watching with admiration, hope, and pride. They are not only inspiring and empowering other kids, but they are doing the same for their own kids. Shemeka’s and Tangela’s kids are seeing them work diligently to make their dreams come true. From them, their kids are learning the power of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Essentially, their kids are learning that through obstacles, setbacks, heartache, pain, and discouragement, to never give up because dreams do come true.
Pricing:
- The Social Action Box $40
- Cultural Notebooks $5
- Backpacks $20 (Blowout Sale to Make Room for the New Line)
- Melanated Conversations $15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melanatedmindz.com
- Email: admin@melanatedmindz.com
- Instagram: @melanated_mindz_
- Facebook: @melanatedmindz3
- Twitter: @MelanatedMindz
Image Credit:
Shootingdai Photography
Madame Amelia Photography
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