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Q&A With Shayla Spann

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Shayla Spann
Video Teleconference Specialist/Filmmaker, USDA
Location: Silver Spring, MD United States
Joined: Sep 22nd, 2013

About (request update)

If asked by family or friends, they would tell you that Shayla Racquel always had a gift of encouraging and bringing people together. The eldest of nine grandchildren, Shayla Racquel�s family duties at the age of 12 consisted of coordinating holiday shows, short films, and music videos featuring the grandchildren. Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at birth, her childhood battle with the disease is what garnished her strength and sense of tenacity. Shayla Racquel has never believed in giving up on anything or anyone, and that is what gives her the artistic & compassionate spirit she has today.

Though she found her love for directing and filmmaking while attending Columbia High School, it was during her collegiate years at Florida A&M University where she began to explore as well as hone her craft. She directed and edited numerous videos for businesses and organizations around the Tallahassee Community. She served as Florida A&M Student Government Association Executive Producer over a web talk show entitled �SGA Talks,� where students were kept abreast on news, entertainment, and upcoming events within Student Government. She served as the videographer for huge projects such as the Haiti Relief Concert, 5000 Voters Strike Comedy Jam, Coleman Library Showcase, �I Am A Man Black Man� Forum and many others. Her accolades include but are not short of: 1890 National Scholar, FAMU New Distinguished Scholar, Young & Relentless Scholar, and Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church Woman of the Year. She has been recognized by many news articles and blog sites for her creativity, most of which speak of their eagerness to see her growth in the film industry as well as praises for her work.

Giving back to her community has always been the number one priority of Shayla Racquel. She firmly believes that in order for the African American community to thrive, we must uplift and support one another. She does community service with TRACK Jumper Mentorship Program, featuring some children who are on their last strike with the school system. She created a music video with the children in the program entitled �No Looking Back,� promising that they would not go back to their old ways but strike for a better future. She also was a spokesperson for Red Cross, encouraging people to give blood. She served as a Feds Feed Families coordinator, where her initiative boosted USDA-APHIS food donation by 50 percent. She also served as a keyworker for the Combined Federal Campaign, a fundraising initiative for charities. Her fundraising initiatives raised 40 percent of the total amount donated by her agency. Currently, she uses her web series �Quarter Century� in order to promote upcoming artists, fashion designers, and local black owned businesses.

Shayla Racquel was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, however she currently resided in Washington D.C. She believes that she gained her entrepreneurial spirit from her grandparents Joseph & Evelyn Thompson, who owned their own businesses in Columbia. Her parents, James and Sonji Spann, continue to encourage her as she strives for her goals. Friendly with a unique appreciation for life, you will know Shayla Racquel when she greets you with �Smiles are contagious so get sick!�

Education (request update)

Florida A&M University class of 2011

Undergrad Major: Computer and Information Science

Claim To Fame:

Featured on HBCU Digest under Digest Five - Top Web Series Produced by HBCU Students, Alumni and Faculty - http://hbcudigest.com/digest-five-top-web-series-produced-by-hbcu-students-alumni-and-faculty/ 2ndLookTV - Quarter Century Web Series May Speak Life - http://2ndlooktv.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/new-web-series-quarter-century-may-speak-life-by-diquan-julius/ September's Queen of the Month on KiyenaB.com Shayla Spann inspires students with her perseverance in pursuing her dream adverse her illness - http://www.thefamuanonline.com/news/shayla-spann-inspires-students-with-her-perseverance-in-pursuing-her-dream-adverse-her-illness-1.2243449#.Uj8_C2SAeXE

Experience

I currently work with USDA as Video Teleconference Specialist/Filmmaker
I have years of experience working in the Arts, Entertainment, and Media industry.

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