The Woman

Rashada Dawan is a South Shore native, born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. When she was 3-years-old, her mother was killed in a hit-and-run by a drunk driver. And because she was raised by her amazing father and a wonderful village of family members, she believes her mother died saving her life to make something good of it. This is why her life's mission is simply, "Make it worth it."

While singing in school talent shows, church choirs and dancing on the praise dance ministry, she fell in love with the arts. She first performed for a parent -teacher conference at Ruggles Elementary School, then graduated from Beasley Magnet School and went on to be the first female gospel choir director at her high school- Curie Metro. After being accepted into Florida A&M University at 17, she majored in psychology and minored in theater while polishing her live-performance skills in several soul bands including the Phat Cat Players (where she performed for 3 years on the Tom Joyner Cruise), Odyssey and Conceptlive (where she wrote and recorded her first single, "Late Night Rendezvous"). While serving as a campus queen, she was a member of the world renown FAMU Gospel Choir and went onto pledge Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. 

After graduating from FAMU, Rashada went back home to be a case manager in community mental health. She was blessed to be under the esteemed leadership of Dr. Carl C. Bell, MD at Community Mental Health Council (CMHC) where she was able to practice the 7 field principles daily. In the day, she'd work in everything from anti-bullying to restorative justice. And in the evenings, she worked in the theater. 

After getting laid off from the Board of Education, she gave herself 1 year to pursue acting full time. In exactly 1 year, she was casted in Disney's The Lion King as "Shenzi". She went on to join the Las Vegas cast and Gazelle tour for 4 years. She and her daughter, Genesis, would go on to travel and perform in over 40 states throughout the nation.

Upon returning home from tour, Rashada reestablished her non-profit organization, B.Fli Productions, Inc. Her inspiration was to give her daughter and other youth in the community access to a quality arts program and access to those who wanted to pursue the craft professionally. Her daughter is now a re-occuring character, "Maisha" on Showtime's hit series, "The Chi" and her 4-year-old daughter is a blossoming sunflower with a spirit and power all her own.

Rashada is still performing throughout the nation on stage and screen while raising her two beautiful daughters. Her dream is to sing on her own  European and South African tour, see her daughters graduate from the college of their choice and to play in her dream role, Ursula, in The Little Mermaid! 

True! Yeeeesssss.