Meet Brianna Michelle | Nonprofit Founder, Voices Beyond Assault & Model/Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brianna Michelle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brianna, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, WA. My Mother traveled there with my father from the midwest. He later became an absent part of my life.

I was raised by a single, beautiful and intentional Mother who did the best she could with what she had. I was able to truly evolve by seeing the struggles that life can bring but witnessing the efforts of handwork, dedication and unconditional love.

My upbringing impacted my life tremendously, it produced a rose through concrete. Despite the harsh conditions at times and I still grew in a way that was beautifully me. I evolved in to a loving, empathetic, focused and purposeful woman that has been dedicated to changing the world in some way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Model/Actress and Founder of a nonprofit organization, Voices Beyond Assault(VBA)

I am really proud of the clients I have been blessed to work with throughout my career. Being able to build and maintain relationships is so important to me because it also assists in my philanthropy work with VBA. I am so proud of the work we do with VBA- we provide programs, innovative therapy methods and resources to provide healing for survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Neither were easy. the entertainment industry will help you grow thick skin because you hear a lot of ‘no’ before you hear ‘yes.’ You have to have a lot of confidence and resilience to continue going after your dream of working regularly. Starting a 501c3 organization wasn’t easy either but because I knew it was a life purpose, I never gave up on being able to provide services for those affected by an epidemic such as sexual and domestic violence. It took years to get my 501c3 status but I did and I am proud of myself for it.

I started modeling after I graduated college and moved to New York. I started VBA after a brutal rape and kidnapping because I felt that there was vacancy for survivor community and empowerment. So starting the organization and changing the lives of survivors has been a true joy. I have learned that being able to do what you love and provide for others is so rewarding and what life is about. Being able to see the the community I serve feel stronger during their healing journey is powerful.

I want the world to know that I stand for something and that there is Beauty in Survival!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Restaurants: Harriet’s Lounge
Perch
Laurel Hardware
Elephantè
Fun Activites
Sunset Ranch Hollywood (horseback riding)
Ifly
Malibu, Santa Monica and Redondo beaches
Big Bear
Hangout:
Live music events
Movie premieres
Karaoke

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This Shoutout is dedicated to my Mother because she has sacrificed so much of her life making sure that I evolved into a Woman that truly lives fully in a dynamic way. She is my best friend and a Woman I truly admire.

I also would love to shoutout my nonprofit organization, Voices Beyond Assault and to men, women and children who have been affected by sexual and domestic violence but still is determined to thrive past their trauma!

Website: www.voicesbeyondassault.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/iambriannamichelle and www.instagram.com/voicesbeyondassault

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/voicesbeyondassault

Facebook: www.facebook.com/voicesbeyondassault.org

Youtube: www.youtube.com/voicesbeyondassault

Other: www.instagram.com/voicesbeyondassault.org

Image Credits
Zachariah Renny Vasquez Bobby Quillard Brandy Allen TymWallace