I’ve met in person Shaun Robinson only once but, somehow, I feel like I’ve known her for a very long time. Up close, she was as lovely as I imagined her to be when I watched her on numerous news and entertainment television shows over the years. Her warmth and kind heart shined through a smile that revealed her quiet strength and confidence. I admire this Emmy Award-winning journalist, television personality, author, producer, philanthropist and girls’ empowerment activist, and I’m thrilled that she agreed to let me introduce her more personally to you on today’s Spotlight Q & A!
Shaun is committed to building up young women. She created One Girl, One Voice: A Million Ways to Make a Difference – the social media movement calling for one million socially responsible girls to pledge their voice for positive change in the world through volunteering. She also runs a foundation, the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls empowering underserved girls and young women in the areas of (S)TEM, (H)EALTH, (A)RTS, (U)NITY and (N)EIGHBORHOODS.
Shaun’s philanthropic heart doesn’t stop there. She’s involved in an array of organizations, serving with foster care programs and those focusing on African Americans and heart disease.
She’s spectacular, and there is so much more to learn about her so we hope you’ll visit her website! But, before you go, enjoy the conversation below and please leave Shaun a comment of encouragement!
Enjoy!
Priscilla
PS . . . To learn more about her foundation or to support her initiative, visit https://shaunfoundationforgirls.org/.
- If you could describe this season of your life in one word, what word would it be? Why?
I would describe this season of my life as very exciting because I am getting to produce projects that I am very passionate about. I am also really focused on building my foundation to continue my work empowering girls and women.
- In terms of your career, before you knew you would be _______________, you almost . . .
Before I knew I would be a TV journalist, I was interested in acting. I was always part of a school play. What’s so amazing is that is one of my jobs now!
- In what ways do you ensure that your career path serves the purposes of God and encourages His people?
My parents and grandma always told me . . . “If God gives you a platform, use it to help others.” What I always try to do is be a motivator, to always encourage others to feel better, do better and be of service to others. Hollywood is a place where one is encouraged to have an ego. It’s a “Me, Me, Me” town. I try not to feed into that. Grandma warned against that, telling me . . . “God is no respector of persons.”
- Fill in the blank. I am not a very _____________ person.
I am not a very pessimistic person.
I try to look at the blessing in all situations. My mom taught me that. She will say things like . . . “I had a flat tire today, but it was such a blessing that it happened near a gas station!” She makes me see the silver lining in situations that others can’t always see.
- Name your biggest strength and your biggest weakness? How has each served you as you’ve fulfilled your purpose?
I think my biggest strength is my faith. I was raised in the church and believing in a higher power is what has gotten me through the most trying of circumstances.
My biggest weakness is sometimes I give people tooooo many chances. You know what Maya Angelou said, “When people show you who they are, believe them.” I’m still learning that.
- When is the last time you laughed so hard that it hurt?
I think the last time I laughed really hard was when we were watching the movie, “Airplane”. It is a classic and still hysterical!
- What has been the most difficult season in your life? How did you get through it?
The most difficult season of my life was during the time my father was very sick. He was in his final months in Detroit and I was flying back and forth from Los Angeles to help care for him. I was sleeping day and night in his hospital room. It was very tough. But, it is a time that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. Being able to show him that I loved him and that I would sacrifice anything for him meant the most to me.
- If this were your last year on earth, what would you want to spend your time doing?
If this was my last day on earth, I would spend it with my mom.
- If you could make three wishes and there were no limitations on what you could request, what would you wish for?
If I could make three wishes come true, they would . . . 1) First, that this pandemic is eradicated 2) That the world would be kinder, nicer to each other 3) That my foundation is able to help more and more girls and women every day.
- If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?
The advice that I would tell my younger self is . . .”It’s going to be alright.”
*These blog interviews are designed only to be fun, informative and introductory. GB Ministries has varying levels of familiarity with each participant so their presence here does not equal our endorsement of or full alignment with theological doctrine or political perspective.
