The RADDEST girls on the planet: Erin Lee

Dear Rad Girl,

Happy New Year!!! If you've been following my Diary (blog) over the past 6 years, you are familiar with this segment #theraddestgirlsontheplanet . In this series, I feature Rad Girls that are energetic, ambitious, fun, loving, uber talented, kind and artistic... I search all around social media for the raddest girls on the planet and I've came across some amazing girls I would love to share their stories with you. Beginning of the year and we are starting it off with a darling, Erin Lee.

Introduce yourself. Tell us where you’re from (born & raised, education, do you own any pets)

My name is Erin Lee, I was born and raised in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, PA. For High School, I attended Germantown High School (Go Bears!!!), and went on to study Business and Economics at Penn State (We Are... PENN STATE!!!). I do not own any pets.

How did you get started in dance, how long have you had a dance school?

I started dancing VERY early, B.E (Before Erin), my mom would always say prior to giving birth to me she would play her favorite upbeat 80's jams and I would squirm as if I was dancing in her belly. I started in elementary school, my mother took advantage of a free program that was accessible to children in the community and after that I settled ay I.O.T.A Dance School under the Direction of Cheryl G. Jenkins. studied ballet/pointe, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, and African dance. I danced for various companies including T.H.J Dance Ensemble, Junior Sixers, and Nyce Stylze Hip Hop Company. I began teaching at 15 years old, I was a student teacher at my dance school, I went on to Penn State to become the President of the dance company there, and instructed at Wissahickon School of Ballet, Dance Institute of Philadelphia and many more. In 2014 I ventured into my own program and haven't stopped since. I built E'chappe Dance arts by creating an opportunity for children of my neighborhood to afford quality dance instruction. 2021 makes 8 years.

What other businesses do you have?

I own a Huxmgoods brand titles Blake & Huxm, a company creatively inspired after giving birth to my late son Blake Lee Smith in March of 2020. Our products cater to the audience can't help but to create an industrial and positive aesthetic in their home. The brand is an intellectual, feel good brand with much more in store. I just recently collaborated with my fiance, Tim on FourPhodo, which is a photobooth rental business servicing PHL, DEL, and NJ.

What are your goals for 2021?

Make a milli, inspire 50 people I don't know, devote Sundays to myself, and read 15 books. Boring I know, but these goal are personal and genuine.

Congratulations on your engagement! Spill the tea. ( how long have you been together, how did Tim propose, when is the wedding?)
Thank you! Tim and I have been together coming up on 4 years, the proposal well an extremely well thought out experience amongst family and friends, Tim is an awesome planner, I knew when it was time, he would knock it out of the park. The wedding is November 2021 🙂

In what ways will the pandemic affect your wedding plans?

We rescheduled our wedding twice, lol. Family is important to both of us and we weren't willing to move forward without them, our wedding is a destination wedding so we are very cautious about where the state of the world is and how it would affect our family as far as safety, comfortability and health.

How did you know that Tim was the one?

I met Tim when I buried my Grandfather, he was the Funeral director at my Grandfather's service, the night before my Grandfather expressed his disdain for the "type of men I dated" and assured me he would find me a man "if it was the last thing he did". The way we met wasn't an accident, that was the last thing my Grandfather absolutely did. There was no "one thing" Tim did that was "actionable" that showed me he was the one because I'd be here all day. I'll say this, he sees me, he always has, and for that, it's forever and beyond.
Can you share with us your fertility journey?
(how it made you feel and what effects it has on women? How are you using your experience to to encourage others and give them hope?)

Because I'm committed to a project that will be highlighting this in deeper detail this Summer, I'll say this, therapy and good people got me through. I have lost multiple pregancies in the last 4 years, all I could think is WHY ME, so with my last pregnancy I made it, 6 whole months, when I could never make it past 11/12 weeks. I just KNEW I was bringing a baby into this world, and then...God's Plan. Fibroids, and Incompetent Cervix were against me and I NEVER EVEN KNEW. I encourage women to get your exams, prepare your bodies mentally and physically for pregnancy and birth. I am coaching for multiple support groups on child/baby loss, it's a much better grieving process when you hear those two words from other people "me too".

Proudest moment?

Making it to the Kelly Clarkson Show for sure!

Tell us about your experience on the Kelly Clarkson Show?

Surreal. I mean it did not hit me until I was on the side one on one talking to Kelly about marriage and momming. I felt like I could check a few boxes after this experience, I was beyond grateful and abundantly inspired. The best part about the experience was that people felt hopeful seeing this "black girl from the hood" make it to a national television show to tell her story. I received emails from people stating because of that, they refused to give up or slow down on their goals, and THAT, whew...That felt incredible.

How does it feel to go viral?

It felt incredible, I still see celebrities reposting it and gasping as if it happened yesterday, myself and my BOGA Instructor, Mrs. Tymeisha Raymond will be building more post pandemic around the class.

Random fun fact about yourself?

Ha! Ok! I'm not that interesting but I guess it would be cool for people to know what I don't like for my food to touch 🙂

Greatest inspiration?
Kamala Harris sitting her black a** in that VP chair. Favorite movie?

Bye Bye Birdie | Sex in The City Pt. II
Favorite food?

Tacos!!!!!!

Dream honeymoon destination?

Mykonos, Greece

Dress or pants?

Dress, pencil midi, clutched waist

Coffee or Tea?

Tea, Chai

Favorite Dear Laney piece?

Sable, the lace romper! Love!

Erin, thank you so much for telling us your story, so inspiring. We wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors. ❤️