Back in the early 90’s, Natalie Daise (gullahmama) and her husband Ron were approached by a close friend to do a children’s show. Considering their diverse backgrounds in theater, music and painting/crafts, their friend thought that they were perfect! A cameraman pretty much captured the couple teaching children about life, culture and how to respect other. The show ended up getting picked up by Nickelodeon, thus the birth of Gullah Gullah Island!
The show ran for 4 years, but that doesn’t mean Daise has stopped working. According to @frorealdoe, in addition to acting and singing, she is in the development process of creating a web series and workshops designed to help artists reach their full potential. Many people do not know that she’s a painter and has developed her own unique style. Her paintings feature black people wearing clothing made of collard greens! She says that they remind her of her home, her family and things that just make her happy!
After the full life she has lived thus far, Mrs. Daise gave some invaluable advice about those of us who are young and struggling with the decision to go the traditional route vs. making our dreams come true!
“The world is very different than it used to be. There was advice that was given to us that was very well-meaning. They said, ‘Go to college! You will get a good job [and] you will make a lot of money if you work hard.’ That is a fallacy now. That concept is not always true. While you must eat everyday, you must also find a way to follow your passions. You are going to have to CREATE what you want. You are going to have to look at what you have, and figure out how you can use what you have to create the life that you want. I invite everyone to do that, not just the youth. What do you have that you can use in a way that would make your life better, and make other people’s lives better?
Don’t let folks talk you out of it. Sometimes, you will get scared. That happens…it’s not always going to be easy. You just have to get up everyday and do something you love. If you are afraid, do the things you love anyway. You do not want to live with the regret of not chasing your dreams. It is okay if you are different from everyone else, remember that your weirdness is your strength.”
Isn’t it amazing that this woman practices what she preached to us as kids?! She’s definitely #goals.
TSR STAFF: Talia O. @theclosetratchet on Instagram & @tallyohhh on Twitter!
Source: https://frorealdoe.com/2016/09/16/natalie-daise-gullah-gullah-island-nickelodeon/amp/
