Speaking Engagements

Shani was invited by the Obama Foundation to speak on mental health, exploring the complex relationship between vulnerability and authenticity. She challenged audiences to reconsider how we engage with vulnerability—not as a performance or trend, but as an intentional practice that serves our healing. Her message emphasized that vulnerability without purpose can cause harm, and true authenticity requires us to be strategic about when, where, and how we show up openly.

Shani returned to her alma mater, UW-Parkside, for a fireside chat moderated by fellow alumni Billy McCollum (Nike executive) to launch her book Dope Therapy: A Radical Guide to Owning Your Therapy Journey. She engaged with students about demystifying the therapy process, breaking down stigma, and empowering people to take ownership of their mental health journey. Her appearance inspired students to embrace vulnerability, seek help without shame, and advocate for their own healing.

In her first hosting role with PBS digital series Facing Suicide: Let's Talk, produced by Twin Cities PBS, Shani brought together young adults with lived experiences of suicide to share their stories of hope and healing. As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, she facilitated conversations on asking for help, recognizing warning signs in others, sustaining mental health, and the healing journey. The series created a compassionate space for understanding suicide prevention while centering the voices and experiences of those who have navigated suicidal crises.

Shani joined a TikTok creator panel to discuss the unique mental health challenges of content creation and social media presence. She shared insights on setting boundaries in digital spaces, managing the emotional toll of being publicly vulnerable, and protecting your mental health while building an audience. Her perspective as both a therapist and creator with over 700K followers across platforms offered fellow creators practical strategies for sustainable online presence and managing burnout.

Shani spoke at the University of St. Thomas on owning your inner Black girl magic, empowering students to embrace their full authenticity without apology. She explored what it means to show up unapologetically in spaces that weren't designed with you in mind, and how reclaiming your magic is both an act of resistance and self-love. Her message resonated with students navigating identity, belonging, and the pressure to dim their light to fit in.

Shani spoke at Kellogg Company on mental health and workplace wellness, addressing how organizations can create cultures that prioritize psychological safety and authentic employee wellbeing. She challenged leadership and teams to move beyond surface-level wellness initiatives and embrace meaningful mental health support. Her presentation equipped attendees with practical strategies for fostering environments where people feel safe to show up fully without sacrificing their mental health.

As a panelist at Essence Festival Shani spoke on understanding and healing from trauma, addressing how Black women carry and navigate traumatic experiences in a society that often invalidates their pain. She explored the intersection of cultural trauma, personal healing, and the radical act of prioritizing mental health in Black communities. Her message empowered attendees to recognize trauma's impact on their lives and reclaim their power through intentional healing practices.

Shani joined a VidCon mental health panel alongside fellow creators including Jessica McCabe to address recovering from COVID-19's impact on screen time and digital wellbeing. The panel explored how creators and audiences could bounce back after a year of being trapped behind screens, offering practical strategies for reclaiming balance and mental health in an increasingly digital world. Her insights bridged clinical expertise with the lived experience of burnout and digital fatigue.