“I grew up in Mobile. Sewing runs in my family. My great-grandmother was a quilter in Gee’s Bend and had a quilt in one of the books about the quilters. My grandma knitted, and my mom is a seamstress, so they passed it down to me. My first job was a seamstress at Threads.

Everything I do involves sewing and fashion, and I have learned a lot from working with local designers in Mobile. I work at the Secret Scientist store in the mall and have worked with Patricia Richardson for a few years helping her make Mardi Gras trains. She is phenomenal. We start in June and go until Mardi Gras. It is exciting to see one of our trains go across the stage knowing I put my blood, sweat and tears into it. Some of the trains I worked on are in the Mardi Gras Museum.

The Mobile fashion scene is growing. I have my own design company called Urban Controversy, Sunshine Out that is on Instagram. Whatever you are going through, you have to sunshine it out.

I learned how to create through pain. I had a car wreck in 2011. My great grandmother died later that night and my other great-grandmother died the next day. My son died six years ago. He was only four days old. I have two locks of hair that have grown out since their deaths. They are like my tattoos providing comfort when I think of them.

I keep pushing because it’s what my family does. My great-uncle was a freedom rider, and I love to hear his stories of courage and standing up for what is right.

I was about to drop a whole clothing line in 2017, but a house fire destroyed everything, including my sewing machines. I am still trying to build back up to the sewing machines and the things I need. I was going through so much, but still found a way to be happy and show kindness and compassion to other people. I also do hair and custom design clothes. Everything I do is to help others look good and feel good about themselves. It’s the joy that comes from inside.”

Brea