Community Spotlight: Levia Bishop

What is your name?

Levia “the fluffy unicorn” Bishop

Where are you from?

Born in Oakland but Humboldt is home.

How long have you lived in Humboldt?

32 years

What is your profession?

Mom extraordinaire but I moonlight as a licensed cosmetologist who owns a small brow, body and soul bar called Shine Aesthetic located inside Dewy’s Beauty Boutique.

How long have you been in that profession and what pushes you to do that work?

I have been in the beauty industry for many years now but I’ve been practicing under my licensed for four years and by far this career path been the best experience for me. There is a magic to being able to see a change in my clients confidence as soon as you’re done with the service. My studio chair is a gateway to healing in my book.

What are some of your favorite things to do in humboldt?

I love nature so being here is so uplifting. I have favorite picnic spots, swimming spot, morning coffee spots and so on.

When do you feel the most at home, comfortable, included, represented etc, in Humboldt?

When I am with my collection of humans (family and friends). I shine love to them and they shine love to me.

Where are some areas or moments that make you feel the opposite?

When I am seen as different. Sometimes it’s walking into a rural store or trying to speak to some who is not like me. Energy is real and i can feel as soon as someone has shifted negatively.

What are some things you’re grateful/thankful for?

Community! This place has such a wonderful array of groups to support and nourish a person.

What are some things that inspire you?

My son Marcus as well as the rest of the strong, resilient, courageous humans that tend to stay close to me. They are the mvps!

What do you do for fun?What are your hobbies?

Be cheesy, giggle, eat delicious food, dance until my feet fall off, give the best hugs, smile and give back as much as possible to my community.

Where can the readers catch you in Humboldt?

All over the place but homebase is Dewy’s Beauty Boutique.

Follow @shine.aesthetic.levia on fb/ig for upcoming classes and events.

What’s something you would tell your 8 year old self?

Be weird, be silly, be happy because at the end of this life you can’t be anything or anyone other than you, so be the best Levia you can be!

Why is BH’s work important to you?

I have lived in this community for 32 years and hadn’t had someone hold space for me until this year. Black humboldt has brought to the table another way for other people like me to have a community to gather inside of.