By Natasha Ivery

This is the second of a two-part series about Na’Asiaha Simon. Part two is an up-close and personal look at her public relations background and personal life.

Instead of the traditional birthday cake and candles, this year, Na'Aisaha Simon's birthday marked the launch of her public relations firm, Na'Asiaha Simon & Associates. To understand how Simon got to this milestone by the time she was 30 years old, you first have to understand the adversity and growth she experienced throughout her life.

Simon was born in Fresno, California, on Jan. 5. As the oldest of nine siblings, with seven who are adopted, her mother always instilled in her the importance of loving people for who they are. That way of thinking has carried through her life.

“The diversity of my siblings in ethnicity – I’m African American, some are Native American while others are multiracial – has propelled my love of people and serving people and wanting to be surrounded by different people and cultures and personalities,” exclaimed Simon.

She studied communications and public relations at Wilberforce University. During a public speaking class during her junior year, Simon's professor, Tanya Morah, associate professor of mass media communications, told her that she was “skating in the clouds” and needed to come down and interact with people. That subtle shade inspired Simon to continue pursuing pubic relations.

After graduating from Wilberforce in 2012, Simon landed her first job in Austin, Texas, as a legislative aide and press assistant to representatives in the state legislature. But she didn’t like mixing public relations and politics because she felt it was too restrictive, so she moved back to California and became a production assistant for the Los Angeles-based company Facet Fashion.

“From there, man, it just went fast,” recalled Simon. “I’ve done everything from the Hill Harper and Nate Parker toy drive, activations for black women in Hollywood and listening and watch parties.”

She also worked with rappers like YG and R&B group Next. Simon's career gained traction when she worked as a personal assistant for media guru Karen Civil, the ultimate boss lady in Simon’s eyes. Civil inspired Simon to grind for her career.

Simon’s big break came when she was approached by fashion designer Angel Brinks to help plan Brinks’ anniversary party. It ended up being filmed and featured on “Basketball Wives,” a reality television show on VH1.

“I always reflect and remember, between 2015 and 2017, which is only two years, I’ve already accomplished what most publicists take years to do,” said Simon.

Her career took another sharp turn after running into a former president from her alma mater, Wilberforce. Soon after their conversation, Simon moved to Ohio in July 2017 to begin working the school’s director of public relations. While there, she managed to make meaningful connections in the Dayton community.

Being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she truly lives the AKA motto of “service to all mankind,” which led her to join the Dayton Young Black Professionals (DYBP) as the strategic partnership coordinator.

“I was connected with DYBP in 2018, which was exciting as they’re a very well-known organization that is a dope service to the city of Dayton, and especially millennials in the city,” Simon said.

When asked about any difficulties she experienced, Simon heavily sighed and teared up.

“I, like every human in the world, entered a season where depression just came out of nowhere,” she said. “I was unhappy with my parents, relationships and friendships. I questioned my career, and I prayed and just asked God to lead me.”

On Oct. 16, Simon resigned from her position at Wilberforce, effective immediately.

“On Oct. 17, I got a call saying there was an office space available, and on Oct. 18, I came here to sign my lease and got the codes to the door,” she said. “Here we are today.”

In asking how she coped with depression, and what led her to get over the slump, Simon pointed to a candle on her desk.

The brown sugar, fig and coconut-scented candle called "Black Girl Magic" lists the names of 54 women who inspire her through their womanhood, business and friendship. Simon's entrepreneurial aspirations don't end with her public relations firm as she's planning on launching her own eponymous candle line, Na'Asiaha Simon Candle Company, in the near future. Ironically, her candle line was birthed from her bout with depression.

“What’s interesting is when I didn’t want to do anything, I fell in love with candles,” she said. “I would light the candle and just stare at the flame. Candles were a sense of release to me; the candle would burn and I’d say to myself, 'You can burn too, girl.' It just motivated me.”

As Summer Walker blasted through the speakers and the sun shone orange in the office at Simon’s firm, she answered one final question: If she was a color, what would she be?

“Wow, I’ve never had anyone ask me that before,” she pondered while smiling.

“If I were a color, I would be yellow because it’s vibrant, loyal, welcoming and loving – all things that I am," said Simon.

This concludes the two-part series about Na’Asiaha Simon. Read the first part here.