Morning Glory: Shay Elise

*Loyal reader Shay Elise writes:

Greetings Sandra!

My name is Shay Elise and I read your blog faithfully everyday. I love how you express your mind no matter the outcome. I’ve always noticed the ‘Morning Glory’ post, and would love to be added. I’m 26 from Springfield, Massachusetts and I’m 6’1 without heels, lol! I’ve been modeling for about two years now, and I love it. I just want to make it without being seen solely as a sex object. Before I started modeling, I was an athlete. I’m an All-American in basketball who played throughout high school and community college before receiving a full scholarship to the D1AA school Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. I’m a hard worker, poet, and currently learning how to work from BEHIND the lens!

I’ve been told I’m too tall, too skinny, too fat, too many tattoos, and the list goes on! Being beautiful is a full package, and it should NEVER go on looks alone. What about the personality, charisma, and loyalty? All traits that we look for in someone whom we may want to get to know or love. We can be runway, editorial, high fashion, commercial models, yet no one looks to models to be ROLE models? I’m starting to see too many vixens and not enough Imanis, Tyras, and Evas. The most editorial photos I’ve seen lately have come from singers, i.e. Kelly Rowland, Brandy, etc. Where are the models that have the edge but can still be fashionable? Where are the models that can still be naked, and it’s actually called Art instead of eyecandy? By no means, shape or form am I saying that I’m top notch, I’m just a girl with a dream. But the view as “models” as black women have got to change…that’s all I’m saying

Thanks for staying true to self no matter what!

Best Regards,
Shay Elise

P.s. I’m not big on Twitter but I have a facebook: www.facebook.com/ShayElise23