Today we’d like to introduce you to RaShidah ‘Pretty Youniq’ Farnsworth
Hi RaShidah ‘Pretty Youniq’, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story has so many facets, as a model, actress, entrepreneur, and founder of D’vine Intentions, Inc., each helping others in one way or another. I remember when I was younger probably around 8 years old, my Uncle asked me one day what I wanted to be when I grew up and I proudly told him I wanted to be a lawyer. He asked could I take someone’s last dollar? After I said “no,” he went on to say I didn’t have the heart to be “cut throat” and would not make it as a lawyer because of that reason. Honestly, that hurt and I cried about it later. My heart is why I wanted to be a lawyer, so I could help people, not take their last dollar. I also grew up hearing “the help you need is at the end of your wrist” which I have grown to learn is not always true. We as a people are interdependent. I certainly would not have experienced or accomplished what I have thus far, let lone be the woman I am without the help, guidance, and direction of others.
Modeling began at the age of 15. Thanks to my family, their endeavors helped me to be comfortable in front of the camera and nearly perfect my “looks.” My mother was starting her photography business at the time and I was her practice model. I can recall her saying “look happy, look sad, give me surprised, this is a no look shot”. I also had cousins who would call on me for random photoshoots, one had a photography business and the other, a fashion designer. I absolutely love fashion and modeling, One of my favorite shows was America’s Next Top Model, I watched it faithfully. They came to Kansas City and I auditioned 3 different times. At 5’9 and 130lbs, I was rejected for being too busty and was considered a plus size model because the clothes would not hang off of me like a hanger. Talk about shock and confusion! I quickly redirected my focus, graduated a semester early from High School, went on to Community College and returned to walk with my graduating class. Outside of the occasional ‘will you model for me’ question and impromptu photoshoots, I started actively pursuing modeling again in 2019 under the name Pretty Youniq. My father, who passed away in 2009, called me “Pretty”. I drew the name in angel wings the day or day after he died and had it tatted on my back. Youniq is a reminder that “You” are what makes you unique. As a professional model, I have been blessed to be in multiple magazines (both locally and internationally), numerous fashion shows, featured in Art shows, commercials, music videos, movies, currently casted in my second play called Judas Kiss set for release in September 2024 and a new upcoming series called D.I.D.. I’m excited for these roles, so be sure to stay on the lookout for both productions.
From fashion and acting to accessories, I have always been a creative. I remember times when I didn’t always have the accessories I wanted for my outfit, so I would just make what I needed, necklace, earrings, bracelets, anklets, I even made a “flower” to put in my hair once using one of those blue glad trash bags that smelled like potpourri!! Funny part is I was getting all kinds of complements on how cute my “flower” was and that I smelled good! It was hilarious, especially after I told a select few it was a trash bag, all of them said “only you!” Fast forward to 2006, I was pregnant and still trying to go shoot pool and my EB’s (pool hall) fam was like no ma’am, basically go sit down somewhere until you have that baby. So, I decided to utilize all of the new free time and started YES! Accessories. YES stands for Youniq, Eclectic, Style., in which each letter of YES not only represents a collection, but also describes each hand crafted piece. I got some paper from Walmart and made me some business cards at home. I would go set up at Kimastry’s (my sister’s beauty shop) with my beads and offer to make the ladies some accessories while they were getting their hair done. I promised to have it finished by the time they got out the chair. When my son was born in 2007, I only made accessories for myself, because when I am creating, admittedly beads are everywhere so my fear was that my son would get a hold of a bead or something somehow and swallow it. I definitely didn’t want that to happen. I started making jewelry again in 2022. I am grateful to say YES! Accessories has also graced the runway, been in photoshoots, magazines and movies.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has the road been smooth? They have those? No really, the song “Can’t give up now” remastered by Mary Mary comes to mind, specifically the verse that says “nobody told me, the road would be easy and I don’t believe he brought me this far to leave me”. I have faced and overcome adversities of various magnitudes within my journey. For example, moving to Blue Springs for the 2nd time in the 6th grade and getting acclimated to the environment and culture with not many that looked like me at the time was definitely a challenge; although I knew it was for educational purposes, at that age I didn’t care. All I wanted was to move back to familiarity. Funny story, I actually tried to flunk on purpose in hopes we would move back to Kansas City, but my momma wasn’t playing those games. As time went on, the diversity increased which made things a little easier, Finding, accepting and being confident with who I am, was a process and a struggle within itself. I was attempting to “fit in” out there while trying to “fit back in” when I got around my family and friends on the weekends. I remember them telling me something along the lines of “you come back on Friday’s talking all ‘white’ and we have to spend the weekend turning you back black”. Despite what I have experienced throughout my 46 years of living, from being bullied to discrimination trying to climb the Corporate ladder, I can appreciate how it has molded me into who you see today. I have found the majority of people tend to only share the wins and not the obstacles that test our strength and force us to grow. I feel like it is necessary to speak on the challenges we face/have faced in order to assist those who may be experiencing similar encounters.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about D’vine Intentions, Inc.?
D’vine Intentions, Inc. was birthed based on the work I had been doing as a Certified Reassessor for the State of Missouri since December 2014. This position placed me in the homes of the elderly and disabled individuals of various ages. Each month, I had the opportunity to visit anywhere from 80 to 100 different individuals to assess their living situations/conditions. It also provided a space for me to listen to concerns and share information to assist them with whatever they needed at the time, including encouragement. I had an individual tell me one year that our visit saved her life because she had planned on canceling our scheduled assessment to take all of her pills at once in hopes of not waking up, but she decided to keep the appointment and she was glad she did. I was grateful as well. In 2018, D’vine Intentions became a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to advocating, educating, inspiring and providing resources to the youth, elderly and disabled individuals, while promoting accessibility within Kansas City’s urban core and surrounding areas.
The vision for D’Vine Intentions is to serve this underprivileged demographic by providing access to education and resources that promote a safe and healthy lifestyle. There are hundreds of individuals within the community that lack the access to take part in some of the resources available to most, such as but not limited too; the fan distribution each summer, food distribution and information about events that are only promoted online. The age of technology has left a lot of the elderly and disabled community without assistance. Some of our youth do not have access to computers, food or a safe place. Information is primarily shared via the internet. Society has taught us to keep up with changing times or rely on word of mouth. D’Vine Intentions mission is to build a bridge connecting this specific population to the means that will assist and/or improve their way of living.
Our organization is unique because we operate on the founding principles of encouraging resourcefulness, working together, prioritizing our passion of helping others and commitment.
We strive to “Keep heads above water” as there are so many in this community who are drowning within their own situation. There are individuals who have to choose between medication and food.
As the founder, my personal commitment is to continue educating myself with information that will benefit the best interest of those we serve. I am an ADA Accessibility Specialist, with 8 certificates under my belt including experience. This allows for D’vine Intentions to properly promote accessibility awareness.
I am proud to say to date, we have provided food, assistive devices, cleaning supplies, an air conditioner (window unit), information on resources, hygiene items, socks, underwear, and much more thanks to collaborations, partnerships, donations from the community and my own pocket.
If you would like to donate, partner or sponsor an event please do not hesitate to reach out to us: info@dvineintentions.org
Monetary donations accepted via Paypal (PayPal.Me/dvineintentions), other payment methods available upon request.
We are also looking for additional Board Members that share the same passion for helping the community we serve, again please email us: info@dvineintentions.org
Recurring events to look forward to each year, feel free to follow the FB page to stay up dated:
April Showers of Love – Community Giveback event (Clothes, shoes, hygiene items/Held in April)
Cooling the Collective – Fan drive (Held in August)
Hygiene for the Homeless – Hygiene backpacks filled and distributed to the homeless/camps via a street team (Held in December)
What matters most to you? Why?
My mother and son of course matter the most. Outside of them, I would have to say helping others, cultivating relationships and effective communication. I know all to well what it means to need help and not get it because of this or that. I’ve seen and experienced it personally, growing up and still to this day. Access to resources as well as lack of knowledge are the biggest challenges I’ve come across doing reassessments on behalf of the State of Missouri and just in general, I had an individual tell me once during a visit, “everyone you meet, knows something you don’t and everyone who meets you, you know something they don’t”, which personifies why communication and building relationships is so important. You know the saying ‘closed mouths don’t get fed’, that is very real! How can you expect help if people do not know what kind of help you need? They may not be able to help you personally, but they might know someone who can. As I mentioned before we are interdependent, we all need help from somebody in one way or another, rather it’s an encouraging word, listening ear, or information, not all help is tangible or monetary.
Pricing:
- YES! Accessories – Bracelets start @ $15
- YES! Accessories – Chokers start @ $20
- YES! Accessories – Sets start @ $30-$80
- Get Twizted Loc Services – Consultation required/816-710-6225
- D’vine Intentions – Free/Donations accepted
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/model_prettyyouniq
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dvineintentions
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/yesaccessories
