Today we’d like to introduce you to Chinetha Hall.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2003, I was reconnected with one of the communities I grew up in as a child, East Cleveland. During this time, I was introduced to an amazing mentor, Anthony J. Goshay (“Tony”) who was creating Haute couture garments and also preparing for the East Cleveland LoveFest Fashion Show. Tony was informed I had a modeling and performing arts background and once he saw how well I worked with his models, I instantly became his Assistant! My main assignment was teaching them the essential skills and techniques that are needed to be fabulous on the runway, while also building their self-esteem, confidence, and pride. We were working with at-risk youth in an extremely underserved community and at the time there was no option for summer job employment because the city didn’t have any funding or resources available to enrich the lives of our youth in the community. This fashion show was an opportunity that kept the youth off the streets by creating a positive impact while giving so much hope. I was able to reconnect with my childhood roots and rich culture which made it so rewarding to give back!
With the success of this fashion show, we were on our way to continuing this journey of embracing youth that really needed some positive influence and hope for a brighter future. Tony and I were an awesome team, but unfortunately our collaboration was short-lived. In the following year, (only a few weeks before our next fashion show) I received the devastating news that Tony had passed away.
At Tony’s funeral service I received a vision that he would want me to continue his legacy – so I did. I contacted all of his models and we did one last fashion in his honor. After this final show, I knew I had to start a new journey of my own. I had a vision of creating a movement that helped people manage their dreams into reality and this inspired me to create Hasani Management Inc.
Almost 20 years later, Hasani Management Inc., continues to blossom as a movement which has managed dreams into reality for thousands of children, youth, and their families. I am a young lady from the East side of Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville and East Cleveland) who never forgot my humble beginnings. I am still passionate about making a positive impact and I continue to provide opportunities that enrich the communities I serve in the greater Cleveland area.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This has been a remarkable and enlightening journey and I am extremely grateful to be one of the many vessels chosen as a servant leader to make a positive difference which impacts so many communities. I love having the opportunity to do work that I am very passionate about; however, this journey has not always been relatively smooth. There have been a lot of bumpy roads along the way. A lot of projects I facilitated, especially in the beginning, were self-funded with limited resources. During that time, I was a motivated young adult who led other young adults on a positive path, inspiring them to achieve their goals. However, I was lacking support, guidance, and the professional mentorship a leader needs for growth and development. Looking back, I know my deep passion and commitment to serve is the foundation of my organization’s strength and success. I have learned that it is critical for leaders to have professional mentorship and training so they can develop effective strategic business capabilities. When I started my journey with Hasani Management Inc., I was not aware that professional development existed and was essential for sustainability. To say it simply, Knowledge is key! I now realize professional development was a key component that was missing from the structure of my organization’s foundation.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Let me first say, thank you. Thank you for your support and for being such big fans of my work! I am a mompreneur who is a mother (of 2 children), a small business owner, advocate, global ambassador and a newly self-published author. I sit as Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization called Hasani Management Inc. which is located in Cleveland, Ohio. We provide programming in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion for children, youth, and their families.
Our mission is to educate and empower youth, including youth with special needs by enriching and cultivating the social and cultural fabric in the Cleveland community through cognitive and life skills experiences.
We address the need for education through areas of arts and literacy, building socio-emotional intelligence and communication strategies, environmental sustainability, self-sufficiency, and hygiene for mind, body, and soul.
Although the performing arts is our foundation, we have developed initiatives centered around Sustainability and Environmental Awareness, Economic Development and Education, Health and Wellness Awareness, and Humanitarianism/Philanthropy. Some of our most recent projects are the Black History Oratorical Spoken Word Workshops and Contest, Hasani Garden Camp, Christmas Gifts from LoLo and the Everybody Needs A Mask campaign (which was developed due to our global pandemic).
Hasani Management Inc. has become most popular for the Hasani Garden Camp, a horticulture-based project held in therapeutic and holistic settings. The camp consists of several learning opportunities that provide hands-on project-based experiences, educating youth on gardening, nutrition, sustainability and environmental awareness, conservation, and natural disaster. The camp additionally incorporates storytelling through art therapy and art expression, yoga, cooking classes, health and wellness, and nutritious meals.
The Hasani Garden Camp is a unique and successful project that was created 11 years ago. This curriculum-based camp has served as a safe haven for youth, including youth with special needs. Most of these children have gone on to build great social skills, self-control, discipline, and confidence which has enabled them to grow and be provided opportunities in school. For some children this includes being promoted into general education classes which grants them access to social inclusion and to be in a socially accepted environment, uniting them with their peers. This unique project has been documented and currently a book is being written to showcase the Hasani Garden Camps successes’ and how it has made a difference and created a positive impact for the youth it has served and their families.
Due to Covid-19, our program offerings were modified, and we began to incorporate distance learning into our educational platform. We have successfully maintained safety guidelines, enabling us to stay connected with our audience and continue to be a sounding board providing effective solutions and resources, while nurturing, encouraging, and uplifting our communities during these critical times.
Hasani Management Inc. created a pandemic campaign called Everybody Needs A Mask. This campaign was created in April 2020 (during the onset of the pandemic) for the purpose of raising public awareness in our local communities. Through our campaign we have served thousands of community residents in need of PPE supplies, essential and hygiene products, food, and resources to families who have been impacted by Covid-19. In addition to impacting the community locally – Hasani Management Inc., published a Public Service Announcement called Everybody Needs A Mask. The PSA showcased some children from our local communities and other children from across the country. We also hosted a virtual global symposium – Surviving & Thriving During a Pandemic Crisis. The symposium was published on Juneteenth 2020, and provided a safe space for us to unite locally, nationally, and globally, while encouraging and promoting effective coping strategies and healing.
The PSA and campaign was the inspiration for my new book called Everybody Needs A Mask! ~ ¡Todos Necesitan Una Máscara! This is a bilingual multicultural children’s picture and audio book that crosses integration and intergenerational platforms. This story follows a young SuperShero from Cleveland, Ohio who takes you on a global journey of expression about sharing love for yourself and others by encouraging us to be safe during this global pandemic. The book also provides support to youth during what has been declared a national youth mental health crisis due to the impact of trauma caused by Covid-19. Through social-emotional learning, my book provides trauma recovery support through messages of healing, self-love, basic mental health practices, mindfulness, affirmations, and the hope of the endemic.
I am very interested in having this book receive global visibility in all educational platforms because it has the power to inspire our youth by teaching them that a brighter future is definitely within their reach. I love to visit schools and talk to young readers, doing read-alouds, empowerment workshops, and facilitating trauma recovery activities. This book is a part of my educational tool package where I create a safe space by storytelling. This space includes literacy for our youth which restores healing, awareness, self-love, and incorporates mental health practice(s) that have been tarnished as a result of trauma caused by the pandemic.
My mission as a global ambassador is to be a resource that fully supports youth in need during our current national youth mental health crisis. I will continue to use my educational tools to create a positive impact for our youth and the families we serve so we can continue to survive and thrive during this global pandemic.
Since our needs and demands have changed drastically (due to Covid-19) which forced all of our lives to abruptly change locally, nationally, and globally – Hasani Management Inc. continues to evolve by staying innovative and resilient with a goal to thrive. I am proud of all of our accomplishments, including our capability of adapting to change, endurance, our ongoing passion and commitment to serve the community.
What does success mean to you?
Society leads us to believe we should measure our success based on what famous people have, their accomplishments, and what’s trending. I define success based on achieving personal and professional goals that work for me, setting my own standards and trends that make me happy.
A component of success for me is waking up every day with a positive mindset, feeling whole and complete within myself, being confident and self-fulfilled without the need of external validation. Success is creating and building a legacy for yourself and your family to be enjoyed while you’re still alive to reap the benefits of the fruits of your labor. Success is creating generational wealth for the next generation and empowering them to create their own legacy. Success is knowing the seeds you have planted in communities of children, youth and families gives them hope of a brighter day and the motivation that ignites fuel within them to thrive and make a positive difference on their own personal journey.
One of the many successes I have accomplished and am proud of is the movement I created almost 20 years ago that continues to blossom beyond my original vision and continues to provide a positive impact within so many communities.
Pricing:
Everybody Needs A Mask! ~ ¡Todos Necesitan Una Máscara! can be purchased in the following formats
- 19.99 – Hardcover book – Amazon
- 19.99 – Hardcover book – Barnes & Noble
- Audiobook – 23.99 – Barnes & Noble
Book Summary:
Everybody Needs A Mask! ~ ¡Todos Necesitan Una Máscara! is a bilingual multicultural children’s picture and audio book that crosses integration and intergenerational platforms. This story follows a young SuperShero from Cleveland, Ohio who takes you on a global journey of expression about sharing love for yourself and others by encouraging us to be safe during this global pandemic. The book also provides support to youth during what has been declared a national youth mental health crisis due to the impact of trauma caused by Covid-19. Through social-emotional learning, this book provides trauma recovery support through messages of healing, self-love, basic mental health practices, mindfulness, affirmations, and the hope of the endemic.
Please join the movement by contacting me to host a read-aloud, empowerment workshop and/or facilitation of COVID-19 trauma recovery activities for your school, library or organization.
Contact Info:
- Email: chall@hasanimanagement.org
- Website: www.Hasanimanagement.org | www.chinethalhall.com
- Instagram: @hasanimanagement, @misschinetha
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/HasaniManagement/
- Twitter: @HasaniManagemen | @ChinethaH
- Youtube: Everybody Needs A Mask PSA | Surviving & Thriving during a Pandemic Crisis – A Global Symposium
Image Credits
Timothy L. Bonner Jr.
Jessica L. Stevenson
