BY: JADE LEONARD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: @jordanviision
Fun Fact: Micheline and I were fierce opponents for the Vice Presidency of Archer High School our senior year. With fortitude and might, Micheline carried her team in for the win. A quick, sharp, and decisive plan, which turned the tables in the final hour and achieving victory. Micheline's presence is extremely contagious, her warm, loving charm brings people together where laughter and fun are always welcomed. From the moment we met our freshman year, we clicked right away and I knew she was unique and a force to be reckoned with. From two sides of the world, we came together even amidst our differences. Micheline's charisma, positive attitude, and service earned her 5 pageant titles at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill, including the highest title of them all, Miss UNC, the first African American to win in over 10 years! Shawty is about her hustle! She has her own styling consulting business, she’s a host, and a lifestyle influencer with emphasis in fitness, travel, and motivation. Whatever she puts her mind to, she'll make it happen. One can’t help but think, “How does she do it all?” One thing about Micheline, she loves her family and friends who are her support and energy, and motivates her to keep going. Micheline can sit at the table in any room she struts through. So without further delay, I present to you "Micheline Amisi The Inspirational Hustler".
The UpNext: Who is Micheline Amisi?
Micheline: "Micheline W. Amisi is a Congolese born, NAWF Georgia raised woman that is passionate about shedding light. Being raised in Congolese culture taught me the importance of collectivism and thus I believe that I am better off when we are all better off. Migrating to the states was a huge shift in my life because, for the first time, I lacked -- and lacked greatly and in these times is where most of my gifts were born. I had to get creative with my wardrobe because I didn't have much to choose from -- I had to get creative with my words because I didn't know many in English and lastly, I had to get creative with my battles… here in moments of greatest adversity, I initially found my grit...and the creative was born."
The UpNext: How did you view your experience as a Minority in a primarily white institution (PWI)? What did your degree mean to your family?
Micheline: "I loved my experience at Carolina. Even though the school was primarily (mostly, almost all, very, super…) white, I quickly found my pockets of communities that made my college experience absolutely incredible. I joined the Black Student Movement, Minority Business Student Alliance, and eventually, was blessed and privileged to be initiated into the pretty, Do or Die, Theta Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. These organizations made a massive place feel like my home. I always felt that regardless of how isolating the experience could be, I had my people and we would get through together -- and we did.
I graduated with a Bachelor's of Science from Kenan-Flagler Business School. This degree was the first manifestation of faith for my family. We left Congo because we thought we could achieve more -- we longed for American education and a shot at a “better” life. As the oldest child in my family, this was proof that while we had not “made it” yet, we were well on our way. The degree was a live demonstration that doors were opening."
The UpNext: How was your fashion consultation business born?
Micheline: "LOL this is a funny one. Fashion has always indirectly been a huge part of my life. My dad is Congolese and my mom is Rwandese and I was born in Congo. In Congo, there is a community that has long existed known as the Congolese Sapeur. Sapeur best translates as “fashionista.” Fashion became such a huge deal to combat the European rule over our country that Congolese men and women began to dress like their rulers to assert equality. Until this day the sapeur community exists and has a code of honor that outlines what it means to be dressin' dressin' -- one of my favorite quotes is “A Congolese Sapeur is a happy man even if he does not eat because wearing proper clothes feeds the soul and gives pleasure to the body."
So growing up, though we did not have much, it was IMPERATIVE to do the best with what we had and always dress for the occasion. In college, I really started to express myself through my clothes and would always get requests to help friends choose what to wear for certain occasions and one thing led to another, and boom -- when my website was launched in November 2019, I started officially offering styling consultations and services.
The UpNext: What is The Raw? And what does it mean to you?
Micheline: "The Raw is my baby. My best friend Akua and I were talking one day and decided that we wanted to create together. We thought that oftentimes, there was media from the finished perspective, meaning people were sharing their experiences from a “complete place.” As transitioning women, we wanted to have a platform where we could rawly discuss topics that were pertinent in our lives as we experienced them. We wanted to create a space where our mess, humor, and attempts to ‘figure it out’ could co-exist and there was The Raw."
The UpNext: What is SOAR? And what does it mean to you?
Micheline: "Whew, Soar...Soar ON! Soar is a health and wellness community focused on the holistic health and wellness of back and brown people.
Soar began as my platform when I ran for Miss UNC in 2017. Prior to the campaign, I had been very serious about health, health advocacy, and encouraging others to soar beyond their fears and into their limitless potential. Given that this was such a passion of mine, it was seamless to translate it into my platform. Glory to God, I won and was crowned Miss UNC (the first Black woman to earn the title at UNC in 11 years). The platform only grew from there and we have had over 500 members in the community since the inception."
The UpNext: Who and/or what inspires you to go hard in life?
Micheline: "What my parents have been able to accomplish with nothing inspires me. They truly had very little to work with and they essentially gave their all so that my siblings and I could have a better life. There are so many Congolese men and women that didn't get the opportunity to study in America, and I did, and I view that as a blessing and privilege. I also believe that being in a place of privilege and doing nothing to serve someone else is a waste. I am inspired to go hard because my talent and privilege are not my own and they need to be used to uplift others. How I entered into the world has absolutely nothing to do with me, but how I leave it will have everything to do with me. "
The UpNext: What was it like being an immigrant in the US growing up and now pursuing the “American Dream”?
Micheline: "It is tiring but inspiring at the same time. I understand that what I am experiencing is an opportunity and it is up to me to make something of it."
The UpNext: How do you refill your amazing energy reserve? How do you stay resilient?
Micheline: "I am a social butterfly, so generally being around great people brings me much joy and energy. I also love stand up comedy, so I spend a lot of time watching stand up."
The UpNext: Who are your fashion inspirations?
Micheline: "@kahlanabarfield has such a timeless, classic, and bold look that I love so much. She also usually rocks a pop of red lip and that is my absolute fave."
The UpNext: What do you want to accomplish through your various platforms?
Micheline: "I want to inspire others to do what inspires them --- whether it's through fitness, fashion, or storytelling, I want people to interact with my platforms and leave feeling inspired."
The UpNext: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Micheline: "This is a tough one. I envision a lot, often. But I rather focus on how I want to feel. In five years, I want to feel satisfied with my efforts of the past and optimistic about the work ahead. I want to always be eager to grow and do more and impact further and I want to be able to say I am doing that."
The UpNext: What are 3 tips on negotiating?
Micheline:
Research
Boldy advocate for yourself
Always add tax
*if you’d like to schedule a consult reach out at michelineamisi.com*
The UpNext: What’s your most rewarding moment thus far?
Micheline: "In 2019, I bought my family a home. I still can't believe it but God is good and we are only getting started."
The UpNext: What advice do you have to those who want to tap into entrepreneurship and have a full-time job?
Micheline: "Start where you are and with what you have. I know it may seem daunting, overwhelming, and like there isn't enough time but small progress is still progress and things will compound over time if you keep pushing."
Handles:
Instagram: michelinewin_
Website: michelineamisi.com
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