Over the past three years, we as a brand have grown to new heights and would love to thank all of you for your continuous support, purchases, reads, and shares. Within the growth we have been able to speak on panels, podcasts, host pop-up shops, and even expand our team. Today, and with joy, we are happy to announce a new addition, D’Shonda Brown, who will help us continually grow as AHUS’ lead writer.

D’Shonda seated on pearl leather couch, wearing green pants with white and green striped shirt, wearing a flower crown on top her head. She is holding a copy of Paper Magazine with Katy Perry on the cover.

D’Shonda “Shonda” Brown is a media maven who specializes in Mental Health advocacy and public relations. Her work for the community has been featured by Refinery 29’s Unbothered, Music Men & My Mental podcast, was featured on a panel by Morehouse College’s Alumni Association Manhattan Chapter and more. She is currently a columnist for The Rap Fest and curated the #shopblack series within their platform. With her outstanding work and dedication to uplifting the Black community, it is an honor to have her take on the role as our lead writer.

We asked her about her new journey with us and she responded with the following below:

What do you aim to bring to the AHUS family?

Because of my diverse background in technology, biomedical research, entertainment, fashion, I plan to bring all of my experiences and use them as a means of collaboration as opposed to separation. I aim to bring my unique perspective as a Black woman from Brooklyn, New York who attended an HBCU (Spelman College) and apply my lens to critical thinking, strategic planning and investigative writing and interviewing on the AHUS platform.

D’Shonda is from Brooklyn, New York and currently resides in Bed-stuy. A graduate of Spelman College, she studied English, minored in Business Writing and a concentration in Mass Communication.

What kind of topics and pieces can we expect from you?

As a mental health advocate, you can expect a lot of pieces from me revolving around minority communities and mental health from LGBT+ to Latinx to Black to religion/spirituality and mental health. I like to write pieces that push that envelope and make my readers uncomfortable in the most informative and thought-provoking way possible. Your mind will be blown.

How do you plan to expand your growth for 2020?

I'm only as good as the last thing I've done. I plan to push myself beyond just writing - possibly hosting, maybe some on-camera work. I don't want to do my talents a disservice by boxing myself into one niche. Expect to see me a lot more around these parts in mental health, racial justice and possibly revisiting entertainment again.

So AHUS familia, please join us in welcoming the newest member and lead writer to our team. We are excited to lead into this new year with growth & a new vision with D’Shonda joining our team.

To get to know D’Shonda, please follow her on Instagram and visit her website, Signed Shonda.

D'Shonda Brown Joins AHUS As Lead Writer