Today we’d like to introduce you to Shantoni Holbrook.
Hi Shantoni, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Honestly, I feel that I was born a dancer. It just came so naturally. I started learning choreography at a young age from television shows for children. Then, I started watching music videos and learning the choreography in those videos. I would perform that exact choreography for my family and friends in the living room. I would even do the choreography while competing and winning talent shows. Furthermore, I became one of the firsts male cheerleaders at my junior high school. I think that really laid the foundation for me to take my talent(s) further. Then, I started watching other dancers on YouTube. That inspired me to start creating my own dance videos and to really work diligently at my craft. So, I started studying and taking notes. It pushed me to start creating my own dance style, choreography, performances, and dance visuals/films. It pushed me to be my authentic self and to not confine myself to a certain style. I’m from the South (Mississippi), so I know we have some distinctive dance moves and styles down here. I wanted to keep and represent that culture. Constantly working at my craft also pushed me to be more expressive and to use my art as a voice for myself and those that felt like they never had one. It was my way of advocacy and social awareness.
Then, the big one happened: I became an international professional dancer after all of those years of creating, self-training, and studying.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
NO! It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. Has it gotten smoother? Yes.
Being a feminine, black, and gay man is already tough. However, to really exemplify that in my dance moves and style was even tougher when I was growing up in the South. You get the whispers, the ugly faces, the stares, and the laughs. You get people that will try to discourage you and tell you to stop. I could always feel the awkwardness of others in the room when I would dance. I had a bus driver to ask me to see one of my dance routines one time. I, in fact, performed it for you. She literally told me that I needed to stop dancing.
However, it has gotten smoother. You still have those negative people or those people that just want to crack a joke to get a laugh. Now, it’s I’m old (I’m 30 btw), am I a man or a woman, I should seek Christ, I do too much (I believe that’s from people that do too little), or why do I have to wear the things that I wear. It’s all just fuel to my fire. No one and I mean NO ONE can stop me now!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Outside of being a professional dancer, I have a career in Public Health. I work for a black-owned community organization and clinic in Jackson, MS. Our clinic is the first and only clinic in Jackson that primarily prioritizes LGBTQ+ individuals. I am an evaluator and a coordinator. As an evaluator, I collect and analyze data of programs/projects in the organization. I generate reports of my findings from analyzing the data and disseminate them to reveal if those programs/projects are meeting their goals, running effectively and successfully, and to provide suggestions and solutions to any challenges or barriers.
As a coordinator, I work on a project that is a community approach at reducing sexually transmitted infections. I work closely with a Community Advisory Board of young, black individuals ages 21-27 to spread knowledge and awareness of sexual health and education. We launched a campaign in response to the epidemic of STIs in Jackson, MS. Our campaign is called Safe Space Jxn and its goals are to create a safe space where individuals can openly or privately talk about sex and sexual health, provide resources on where to get screened/tested and treatment, and to help eradicate stigma and fear of judgement as it pertains to sex and sexual health.
I am known for my colorful and transparent personality. I can confidently say that I’m being a great representation and role model for my LGBTQ+ community in the workplace. I am definitely an advocate. I’m always speaking up and making sure our voices are heard in those rooms. I am most proud of all of that aforementioned. What sets me apart? My colorful personality. I would like to describe it as seeing a rainbow in the room without the rain.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I would say give it time. I always look at my life as if things come to me naturally. So, I don’t really rush things. However, just make sure that alignment is there. Getting my mentors kind of naturally happened, but I made sure that the things they did or were doing aligned with what I was doing or where I wanted to go.
When it comes to networking, get out there! TALK! MEET! GREET! Networking was kind of hard for me at first because I do find comfort in being to myself at times. However, you never know who you’ll run across and what opportunities can be presented or created from that. Make sure you have something to leave with people, too. That could be a business card, a website, your email, or even your social media accounts. However, make sure it is what you would want people to see. Make sure it’s a great representation of yourself in whatever field you’re in or trying to get into. We’re in a visual age and people love to SEE what you do or what it is that you’re doing. Let them see! Show them what you do, and you BETTER do it!
Definitely, my social media accounts, YouTube channel, and my dance videos/visuals have worked wonders for me. They all exemplify my work, skill, creativity, ability, artistry, expression, and light. I also have added my professional email to my social media accounts for those that may want to reach out or inquire. That’s a great tool to utilize on social media. Social media is a whole playground for artists and creatives. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantonixavier/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shantonixavier/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shantonixavier
Image Credits
Jeremy Tolliver
Katie Sikora
DeJarius Evans
