A CONVERSATION WITH SHONEJI ROBISON

            Not many people get to fulfill their lifelong dream and if you’re thinking of becoming an actor, a vast majority won’t make it or have a sustainable career.  Optimism is absolutely required for dream fulfillment along with natural self-confidence.  Sarasota native Shoneji Robison proved she possessed both those qualities in order to fulfill her dream of becoming an actress.  Twenty years ago, she set out for Los Angeles, California where she forged a successful career as an actress, casting director and as a business owner.

Robison got the “acting bug” while she was still in high school and auditioned for the Visual and Performing Arts Program at Booker High School during her sophomore year.  That was her first real opportunity at performing.  One of her duties at Booker was to host the daily morning announcements that broadcasted live all over campus each day.  It was then that she discovered that this just might be her calling.

            After graduating from Booker in 1993, Robison attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.  Even though she was not involved in the Department of Visual Arts, Humanities and Theatre at FAMU, she never lost the desire to perform.  Her plans were to follow in the footsteps of her father, Dr. Louis Robison, and become a college professor.  She graduated from FAMU in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Geography but never put her degree to use.  Acting was still on her mind.  She decided to pursue her passion and moved to Los Angeles, the undisputed film capital of the world.

On a recent visit back home to Sarasota, Tempo News had an opportunity to talk to Robison about her career as an actress and about her life’s journey.

TN:      What are some of the productions you’ve performed in as an actress?

SR:        I performed in Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors, the Ladies of Shakespeare, and a host of others.  I also got a taste of film and television when I was cast in a short film that was shot at Universal Studios.

TN:      Why the History and Geography major in college?

SR:      History, especially African American history, was always of interest to me, probably because of the rich history of my ancestors that was shared with me at a young age.  My father was a history buff so I really thought that I was going to follow in his footsteps.

TN:      When did you know acting was what you wanted to do?

SR:      My very first live performance was as the Ring Master of the Small World Circus at Bay Haven Elementary School. I knew then that I had a knack for performing.

TN:      Talk about your journey from Booker High to where you are now – did you have many challenges?

SR:      My time at Booker was great. I was able to really come into my confidence as a performer, especially being one of few black students in the program at that time. I learned to let my light shine no matter who was in the room and to never play small.

TN:      How long did you pursue your career and when did you branch into other areas such as directing?

SR:      When I moved to Los Angeles in 2000 my journey began. I started doing independent films. Then I booked a play that was produced by Will Smith. That show toured 17 cities. Simultaneously, I was booking other roles. Although I’m not currently actively pursuing acting roles, I still get blessed with opportunities because of the relationships I’ve formed over the years. You can currently catch me on seasons 1 and 2 of The Family Business airing on BET+.

TN:      How is life today?

SR:      Life today is amazing despite a global pandemic. I own a thriving business in Los Angeles, a bakery, Southern Girl Desserts, and we are in the process of opening a second location. Amidst running a business, I also have opportunities to get in front of the camera from time to time. Life is good.

Editor’s Note:  Robison and her business partner, Catarah Hampshire, opened Southern Girls Desserts in Los Angeles in 2007.  They participated in Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” that brought together the country’s top cupcake bakers to face off in elimination challenges until only one top decorator remains.  Southern Girls Desserts finished in first place.  They defeated three other cupcake businesses from across the country, won $10,000 and the right to call themselves “Cupcake Wars” champions.  For the final challenge, they fought against the clock to bake 1,000 cupcakes in two hours.  Visit southerngirlsdesserts.com.