Meet Shenette Swann | Narrative Coach and Music Motivator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shenette Swann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shenette, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
The time has come for me to know and embody the power of my voice, the power of my actions and the power of my presence.

As a journaling/Narrative coach- I walk people through their word journey often. How we speak or talk about ourselves is crucial. I discovered, however that after years of using my words with powerful intention – I had not yet approached my presence and my actions with the same high regard. Understanding that all three have significant power is to walk in what feels truly like alignment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a narrative journaling coach- I guide people through an intricate, unraveling journey of self. My mission is to help others spark curiosity, respect and admiration for their own personal narrative. I help people identify and remove limiting beliefs from their daily self talk and conversations and I work diligently to help them craft new affirming beliefs and new ways to view themselves and the stories they’ve told on repeat about who they are. I’ve created a guided meditation, motivational music and writing program that is packed with intention and wonderful nuggets of self care to help people get in tune with their deepest needs and their truth. Staying in my own truth, I focus on the power of words. I’ve kept a journal since the age of ten and now at the age of 45, I now have over 30 jounals-packed in the most adorably retro olive green suitcase. . These journals are the homes of all of my experiences, my feelings and my choices. They dive down emotional tunnels of rejection, embaressment, pride, self confidence, and my worst heart aches. These diaries and journals were just an outlet for me throughout the years and I had no clue of what they would mean for me now. I’ve been singing all my life, but something was missing all along and it was my own voice.
Later on I realized that it wasn’t just the songs I had written. It was the words in the journals. The self motivation, the empowerment messages and the love was in the diaries. I took two years revamping the way I approached journals and the words I wrote in them. I eventually created a system …S.W.A.N.N. Spark Wonder And New Narratives has been the umbrella for motivation, music empowerment and life coahing that feels authentic to me. I use my own tools and my own super power to help others. Today, I work alongside powerful black women, mostly single parents- to help rewrite the narrative. We debunk those limiting belief’s that society has taught them and we evaluate the traditions they may have been forced to keep. I use gentle self love approaches that bring on the soft girl era for black women. I help them remove the strong cape narrative and accept their vulnerability and their need for tenderness.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
FREEKIN LOVE THIS QUESTION!!

We are definitely going to have some of the best food in Raleigh. My favorite, Bida Manda – packs all the flavor you can imagine with Laos cuisine to live for!! The drinks are always 10 out of 10 and the service is untouchable. I’d have a few picnics out at Yates Mill for the historic vibe. Tour Hargett Street downtown Raleigh for the Black Main Street history and storytelling that I love to dive into. We have to get some healthy juices at Raleigh Raw or Juiced Juiced is Black Owned and such a swanky scene. There’s no way I’d resist touring them through my own stomping ground, Marbles Kids Museum where I am the training and Inclusion manager! Kids or no kids- we are playing!! We have to shop at Nashona, the best Tanzanian store with dresses that will always show stop the event! I’ve gotta do some book reading at Liberation station and then we have to catch the DJ at the Big Easy plus it’s where it’s where I used to do weekly shows every Wednesday night! As a performing jazz singer! Ooh- it’s a must that we visit the Pope house downtown ( home of the first black doctor in Raleigh) and late night cocktails at the Greenlight behind the hidden bookshelf door would seal it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Id like to shout out someone who is no longer with me on this earth. Japonica-my first cousin- was an outrageously bold mentor when she was young herself. Never could I speak negatively about myself in her presence. My words were my power “she’d say!” Phrases like -“I can’t… I don’t know how” were phrases she’d make me reevaluate each time. A young traveling minister with edge and spunk- Japonica’s feet touched beautiful countries spreading hope and encouragement to the world. I’ll never forget telling her how I admired her so. We were chatting over breakfast when she told me that I would surpass her in the ways that I would impact the world. She said my style would be different but my heart’s mission would be just the same. Over time, many others contributed to my confidence and “way with words.” Shannon Kaiser, a renowned author and motivator- inspired me greatly. Benir Pierre-an abundance strategist- changed my focus toward powerful intention setting and lastly- my sons! Their creativity keeps me going!

Website: https://msha.ke/shenetteswann

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shenetteswann?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Image Credits
Ken Demery