Give The Girls Their Flowers: Shauna James
Director, Black Music Digital Marketing | Culture Connector | Vision in Motion
There’s literally no limit on the goals you have set for yourself.
From Flatbush to the forefront of Black music culture, Shauna James is a force. Whether she’s producing a content piece that makes dreams come true—like seeing Dawn Richard dance with Alvin Ailey—or simply taking a drive with her man and vibing to Popcaan, Shauna is living proof that intention, passion, and purpose can be deeply intertwined.
This is the most she’s ever felt beautiful in her life, and she’s owning every second of it.
In this feature, Shauna reflects on creative alignment, faith, and finding her rhythm—in work, in love, and in self.
Let’s get into it.
The Rose that Grew From the Concrete in Flatbush.
〰️
The Rose that Grew From the Concrete in Flatbush. 〰️
Q: If your life was a novel, what would the title be?
Shauna: “The Rose that Grew from the Concrete in Flatbush”
Q: What’s a moment in your life that felt like a main-character moment?
Shauna: “This past summer I worked on a poetry album which featured Dawn Richard, and I came up with a content piece which involved the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in collaboration with her. It felt like a super main character moment for me because when I met Dawn on set, she was humbly & genuinely happy to have this moment because dancing for Alvin Ailey was always a dream of her mother's that didnt come true due to a family emergency. Also to mention when Dawn was on Making the Band, there was an episode that never saw the light of day that had a scene of them at Alvin Ailey. So she felt fulfilled, and it was an honor beyond words to have worked with some of the most amazing black women possible on this who helped me bring this piece to life.
https://www.instagram.com/share/_nqPVSeBW
Q: If you could describe yourself as a flower, which one would it be and why?
Shauna: “JI would describe myself as a rose. A rose defines love, passion & beauty. I'm very passionate about my work, my artists, the field in which i work & being able to bring my artists to the forefront digitally. As it pertains to love, I'm a very loving individual and try my best to always show that side of me because my intentions are always pure. Since I've entered my thirties, this is the most I've ever felt beautiful in my entire life, and I've been embracing every moment of it.”
Q: What’s a song that instantly makes you feel like that girl?
Shauna: “Best/Blessed by Popcaan”
Q: What’s your go-to “romanticize your life” activity?
Shauna: “Being under my man, we do the most random stuff but I guess when we go driving together lol hopefully this answered the question.”
This is the most I've ever felt beautiful in my entire life, and I've been embracing every moment of it.
Q: If your younger self saw you today, what’s the first thing she’d say? Would she gag?
Shauna: “Yes she would gag, the first thing she'd say is wow I hope I can be as successful as you when I get older, and I will tell her that she will be. There will be some bumps along the road, but these obstacles will build you to be so strong, and to never give up because even at your lowest God has the final answer.”
Q: What’s something people assume about you that’s totally wrong?
Shauna: “That I don't like them when they first meet me because I tend to have resting b*tch face, I just be tired that's all.”
Q: What’s a small luxury you refuse to live without?
Shauna: “A car - being able to go from point a to b without waiting on anyone to transport you is top tier”
Q: Who in your life has truly given you your flowers (figuratively or literally)?
Shauna: “My parents, my bestfriends (Junior, Michael & Jessica), my little cousin Aaliyah, my baby brother Malique, my sisters Latavia & London, my mentors Carla & Shaniqua, & my man. They're the best support system anyone could ask God for.”
Q: What’s a lesson you learned the hard way, but you’re grateful for?
Shauna: “I used to work in sports fresh out of college and I lost my job due to me wanting to capture social content of a notable hip-hop concert at the arena. It was the start of a hard journey, but made me super grateful because it taught me to keep my moves to myself, my blessings to myself and most importantly it taught me that when your spirit is telling you it's time to move on, you need to take the steps to do so before giving someone else the opportunity to do it for you.”
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who doubted you?
Shauna: “i don't have any advice, sometimes people have to accept the fact that they doubted you & watch from the sidelines while you excel, I just make sure to never treat anyone coming up under me how I was treated.”
Q: What’s a fear you’ve conquered that you’re most proud of?
Shauna: “Getting my drivers license lol”
I just be tired that's all
〰️
I just be tired that's all 〰️
Q: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
Shauna: “People are normally impressed when they learn I have a Master's degree lol I guess that's the best compliment lol”
Q: If you could have a two-hour conversation with any woman (alive or passed), who would it be and what would you ask her?
Shauna: “Erykah Badu. I would ask her how she felt about the changes made within the music industry compared to how it was when she was coming up, and how does she manage to remain in the conversations amongst the new & older generation.”
Q: What’s a fictional character (from a book, TV, or film) you know you’d be besties with?
Shauna: “Angie from Harlem on Prime”
Q:What’s something you love that people wouldn’t expect?
Shauna: “Harry Potter, like I am obsessed. ”
Q:If your personality was a fragrance, what would the top notes be?
Shauna: “Mint, Lavender & Grapefruit”
Q:If someone made a bouquet based on your energy, what flowers absolutely have to be in it?
Shauna: “Roses, Carnations, & Lilies”
Q: Which book made you want to drag the author for emotional suffering?
Shauna: “Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Events”
Q: If you could give yourself flowers for something you’ve done lately, what would it be?
Shauna: “I would give myself flowers for how much I've grown up in the last 10 years. Specifically my conflict resolution skills, I've learned to better express myself and also listen better when someone expresses their grievances to me.”
Q:You just received a bouquet of flowers as a symbol of your impact—what’s the occasion and who sent them?
Shauna: “My job title bump & my man. ”
Q:What’s one thing you want more women to believe about themselves?
Shauna: “That there's literally no limit on the goals you have set for yourself. Whatever you put your mind to you will achieve it & more.”
Sometimes people have to accept the fact that they doubted you & watch from the sidelines while you excel.
Shauna is the kind of woman who puts care into everything she touches—strategy, storytelling, love, and legacy. She’s in a season of beauty, creativity, and alignment, and she’s walking through it fully aware of the power she holds.
She’s living proof that passion and purpose, when paired with faith and authenticity, create something unforgettable.
"There’s literally no limit on the goals you have set for yourself."
💐 Follow Shauna on Instagram @queenshashaa and discover her digital work through Atlantic Records. Read more inspiring interviews in the "Giving the Girls Their Flowers" series.
