ReShonda Parker: Again I rise

from AMBI'ANCE UNCUT ISSUE 02 MAY/JUNE 2021

by Dark Gable Productions Unlimited

NY Icon Tonni Young is “On The Move”

ReShonda Parker

Photo by: Terrence Smith

Again I rise

eShonda Parker, originally from Ft. Huachuca, Arizona is a professional model represented by Manikin Models and Talent Agency and also Talent Life Management of Atlanta, GA. This busy mother of three has become one of the area’s hottest commodities. She’s an Ambassador / Model of numerous brands, and in some cases, would be viewed as a late bloomer in the field. But one look and you see the magnetic beauty is timeless.

ReShonda enjoys her hectic Modeling schedule and busy lifestyle with her gorgeous kids Asia (23), Noah (17), “who’s being signed” with a modeling agency, and Nicholas (10). Her biggest inspiration is her grandmother, Ms. Rose Dandy who raised her and whom she adores infinitely.

The model doesn’t use her role to gain the attention of adoring fans. She’s outspoken and honest about issues past, present and advocates for a safer future. She found comfort and enthusiasm among followers. There she finds inspiring people, relieving the subtle

insecurities or moments of low self-esteem during her journey. Of course, social media will have negativities, yet she shares inspirational views and gives positive attention with protective warnings for her counterparts.

ReShonda has known tragedy and success, and perhaps that humane essence is what radiates from this beauty. She has experienced the worst side of the business and given opportunities she never dreamed possible. She prefers to stand on truth at the risk of her career for the sake of fellow models, shoots, or agents. Bravely filing sexual assault charges on a photographer for undressing her. Sometimes there is backlash from those afraid of speaking out or ignoring the sexual advances to continue working. The field can be exploitative, and she publicly advocates for herself and others.

The stunning advocate has collaborated with others to be more vigilant and started a Facebook group to raise awareness, protect models, and others in the industry called “Models and Photographers United for Change”. She has widened that group to include fashion designers, actors/actresses, magazine companies, and musicians because she feels that “we are all in this together”. She was also made the moderator for the “Columbus, GA Models and Photographers” group.

ReShonda started modeling at 13 and was enrolled in modeling school to overcome her shyness. She was bullied in elementary and junior high school for being taller than her peers, dark-skinned, and slim. Her 5’10 stature appeared a bit early, and at 15-16 years of age, she was a finalist for “Seventeen” magazine and recognized at an event held at Peachtree Mall that was being sponsored by “Seventeen”.

She worked with a modeling agency briefly in Baltimore, MD with one of the owners of Nova Model Management by the name of Christian. In 2012 at 23, she competed in an 8-week online competition that promotes Black Beauty and Natural Hair since 2004 held by Going Natural. com. The recreated look she exhibited was of the model she most admired, IMAN. The famous model and wife of the late Famed English singer-songwriter and actor David Bowie. IMAN is a Somalian-American fashion model, actress, and entrepreneur who’s idolized the world over as one of fashion’s royals chose ReShonda for the Cosmetics challenge winner.

ReShonda’s rise comes amidst unparalleled heartaches and some devastating tragedies. She

Photo by: Dstewy Dsoul @dsoulphotoartistry

speaks out on the heartbreak of losing two children and the circumstances in hopes of helping others. Born July 1st, her first son passed of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). When her second son Noah was born July 31, she felt a pinch of his spirit there within her blessing. In 2009 she experienced her second loss of a child caused by the negligence of an ER doctor. ReShonda has a fascination turned collector of Angels holding babies. While casually shopping in a dollar store one day, they came to her attention. Immediately thinking of other Moms that shared her same pain she purchased all of them and placed them on the graves of other infants. The gesture memorialized her loss by acknowledging theirs. She collects them now and continues to help other grieving Moms through their pain.

The realities of their tragic passing, though devastating didn’t paralyze the brave young mom. After the births of her other children as they grew up, she realized her passion for modeling was still within her. The working mom of 3 (she creates one of a kind custom jew-

elry with her business “Sugar”) decided to renew the profession fulltime and maintain her regular job. The former model was still dealing with self-esteem issues about body image and problem skin.

ReShonda chronicles her journey on her social media platforms openly discussing the problem and sharing her experiences with like-minded women. The experience was freeing and the self-proclaimed tomboy was gaining momentum in the modeling field. She also felt it important to stress that people never give up on their dreams. ReShonda will be 44 years young in October.

The last two years have been her busiest ever. Eventually, her casual colors and muted shades that left her blending into the shadows got peeled away and the glimmering star on the horizon was showing. She rediscovered her beauty doing an artistic nude shoot that allowed her to free herself of the proverbial shackles. The experience was liberating and enlightening, seeing her vulnerable frame exposed in its shameless glory.

Despite her thin physique, she doesn’t pretend to work out or watch every bite she eats. Living a holistic lifestyle and the constant activity of her career keeps her in top shape. Modeling is by no means sitting back looking pretty, or one couture design after another. Sometimes you are walking miles for the perfect location, contorting your body in unnatural poses for the art.

ReShonda’s early 40s were sudden- as well. She’s done some work live ly her 20s. The model’s popularity on Instagram for Camille Rose Nathas been remarkably astonishing. urals, featured on a local business It was nothing she ever expected, site for Craft Kombucha ( Beejou the ageism or acceptance she’d Craft Honey Kombucha- Suhyoon developed a tough skin for wasn’t Cho), natural hair Instagram pagthere. Her portfolio is surreal, pub- es ( “Rockin It Natural” and Fierce lished 14 times, the Cover Model and Faded”), and Cosplay Instaon six magazines/ book gram pages (“Black Cosplay Boostcovers, and recently ers”, “Chosen_Alliance_Cosplay”,

She just tries played an extra in two “Punk Black”, “Nerdzandhiphop”, to concentrate movies to be released this Spring (“The Neon “director_ryan4ransom”). on all the Highway” and “Sometime at Christmas”). She is also the host of a new talk show airing this September called sensational “Sugar Prime Time” produced by photographers ReShonda Parker is the Product/ Brand Ambas“US Round Table”. You can find their pages on Instagram. The she works with sador/ Model for FIEcru (clothing and apparel- successful talent is also a jewelry designer with a line of custom and preferring to Nikki McKnight), Too Adore ( online women’s one-of-a-kind pieces showcased @ Sugar.Custom on Instagram. She utilize her beauty boutique- Marnesha also has a jewelry website launchas their canvas. Sanders), Black Glass Eyewear (Michele Aning soon. toinette Powell How- I asked ReShonda if she’d ever ard), Mod Atlas Media experienced any ethnic discrim( Multimedia Company- Christian ination along her vast journey, Ortiz), Hustle Over Fear (apparel despite the success? As with any company- Tarnesia Hinton), Ni- profession, there will be some levyasnightie-intimate-apparel ( Niya el of resistance. ReShonda tries to Kaliah Robinson-Whitelow), Cak’N call out the injustices when she Cosmetics ( Tamieka Morton), The encounters them and hopes that it Blush Boutique ( online Clothing provokes change. She just tries to and Apparel), Acusling ( online concentrate on all the sensationClothing and Apparel), Anaka al photographers she works with Honey ( Natural Hair Care Brand preferring to utilize her beauty as - Jazmine Nicole), Petty AF Appar- their canvas. el (Tishon Williams), Lady L.A.W ( Loyalty Authority and Wealth- Tif- ReShonda is known for the vafany Eli McNeill). She was recog- riety of photoshoots she does nized by Sephora for her makeup especially her cosplay shoots. look, a Zumiez store in an Atlanta, She has worked with photograGA mall, and for an outfit, she wore phers Christian Ortiz and Ryan

Anderson (@director_ryan4ransom) (@modtography), whose superhero characters jump off the screen at you. They have done shoots of ReShonda in various characters such as Storm, Gamora ( Guardians of the Galaxy), Nubia ( Wonder Woman’s black sister) and a “Queen of the Damned” inspired shoot. She also gained some recognition for one of her photographers Michele Antoinette Powell Howard’s iconic Cicely Tyson tribute shoot (@ michelehowardphotography).

ReShonda graces the covers and pages of a few of the magazine AMMAMA as well as their erotic poetry book “Naturally Erotic Edition Volume One” with model / VFX artist/cosplayer/ actor/ graphic designer Derick Rogers (@toneedragon on IG). She has been featured in “Southern Vibez”, “Cheology”, “What A Model”, “Royal”, “Faschic” and “D’ Mochelle Magazine”.

ReShonda has wrapped up several promotional jaunts. News reporter Nicole Jones of WTVM featured ReShonda in a news article for Columbus, GA. “She was also featured on “The Columbus Site” for Women’s History Month. Sephora used her photo on their Beauty Insiders’ page. She was included in a virtual fashion show put on by The Primp Agency’s owner Sha’ Summerlin. She was interviewed by “Free Gems Network” an amazing local show to spotlight the area’s talents and business owners, talk shows US Round Table, “Uncorked with T” as well as “John River’s Media TV” show. She has been interviewed by Damien Sanders of “CIE Fashion Magazine”. ReShonda has also walked the runway for designer Melanie Caballero of “Ashley Victorian.”

She walks for the NY Fashion Week show in September which

is a dream for a model. She has also walked for designer Bena Klier Bouler of “The House of La’Rue”, along with many other fashion shows like “Music Meets Fashion 2021” with Tileda Moore Dunn, Lisa Cordes, and Tyrus Davis (Model Material Brand, LLC).

ReShonda has more upcoming shoots and shows she is excited about. She will be working with a black-owned art gallery and publishing company “Unique Euphony” teaching basic modeling skills to interested youth. ReShonda is also working on an organization to help empower young girls and women.

To learn more about this gifted and amazing woman, check out her work on Instagram