Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheldon Harris.
Sheldon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Absolutely. Music has always been a part of my life from seeing myself repeating” I’m bad I’m bad” from Michael Jackson’s bad while playing with my dads records at 2 years old. To when I was around 11 when I started following my uncle – who was a Christian DJ- to his gigs. Watching him control a room through music stuck with me. My dad also had a huge record collection, and I’d spend hours playing everything from Anita Baker to Barry White and Tony Braxton. I was always experimenting – singing, rapping, making mixtapes, even selling bootlegs back in the day. I didn’t know it then, but I was already developing my ear and storytelling through sound.
For a long time though, DJing was just something I loved not something I thought I could build a life around. I worked in the medical field, most recently doing prior authorizations for a cloud-based fertility startup. It was good work, but it didn’t light me up. Deep down, I knew I was meant to be creating.
In late 2020, I launched UNITEA—an underground house music event that gave me and others a place to feel free during a really heavy time. That party changed everything. I realized I could build safe spaces rooted in music, joy, and authenticity. Since then, I’ve thrown my own events, played at staple venues across Dallas like It’ll Do, Casablanca, and Round-Up, and even developed my own creative alter ego, Sheila, who lets me explore the content side of things with humor and heart.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been real. I’ve taken risks, dealt with burnout, wrestled with mental health but I’ve also grown into an artist and a person I’m proud of. And the ideas just keep coming. I’m still evolving, but I know now that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. There have been struggles – and some really dark times. I think a lot of people in the DJ and nightlife world deal with mental health challenges, but it’s not something we talk about enough. There’s a lot of pressure, a lot of self-doubt, and when you mix that with a party environment where alcohol (amongst other things) is always present, it can get overwhelming fast.
I actually took a break from my event UNITEA – for about a year to just collect myself. I was in a rough place mentally, and I knew I needed to reset. That pause felt like a kind of death, but it was also the start of a creative rebirth. I came back with more clarity, more intention, and a flood of new ideas.
I think it’s important for people to be aware of how this industry can affect your headspace – and to know it’s okay to step back when you need to. That doesn’t mean you’re giving up. Sometimes it’s the only way you can come back stronger.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a DJ, event curator, promoter, and content creator, but above all, I’m a storyteller. Whether I’m behind the decks, planning an event, or channeling my alter ego Sheila online, my goal is to create experiences that feel intentional, freeing, and fun.
I specialize in blending sound and space. That might look like throwing an underground house party where folks can lose themselves on the dance floor, or planning a pop-themed night where everyone’s in costume singing at the top of their lungs. Music is the centerpiece, but the full vibe- the look, the crowd, the emotion -is what I really pour into.
Sheila was born as a creative release during a chaotic time, and she quickly became a whole character and content platform of her own. She’s the one giving out starter kits, being the chaotic auntie on social, and making people laugh, but even that is rooted in community and connection. It’s all tied together.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come, especially because I built this path on my own terms. UNITEA is a big one for me – it started as a small outlet and has grown into something that represents safe, queer-centered, underground freedom. I’m also proud of being able to perform at some major Dallas spots like It’ll Do, Crush, Casablanca, and Round-Up. These are venues that have shaped the culture, and I’m honored to be able to have moments with them .
I bring my full self (flaws, fire, and all) to everything I do. I’m not afraid to take risks or let my personality lead. I’m intentional with music, but I’m also intentional with energy: who’s in the room, how they’re feeling, what they need. Whether it’s a deep house set or a Sheila Instagram rant, I try to make people feel like they belong, like they’re in on something real.
I never want to be pigeonholed. I have so many ideas, and I never want to be put in a box. I don’t just throw parties – I build worlds. And I think people can feel that.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely consider myself a risk-taker. Every step I’ve taken in this career has come with a lot of unknowns – and I’ve still chosen to bet on myself, even when the odds didn’t feel safe.
I’ve put my own money into events, not knowing if I’d make it back. I’ve booked venues, designed flyers, paid DJs, promoted the hell out of something – all on faith. Financially, it hasn’t always been easy, but I’d rather try than sit back wondering what if. That’s just how I move.
To me, risk is tied to passion. If you really believe in something, you’re going to take a leap for it even if it’s scary. And the truth is, a lot of people in this space wait around for permission or the “perfect time.” But I’ve learned that you have to create your own green light. Sometimes you’re not sure if it’ll work, but that’s the beauty of it. There’s always something to learn, even in the losses.
At the end of the day, I’d rather take a risk on something that sets my soul on fire and brings me joy than play it safe doing something that drains me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apthout?igsh=ajd2MzMydnU5aDM4&utm_source=qr
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/G5Oh4iiJvm34AVx40d
