Chassidy Spencer is known for her positive attitude and diversity.
Not only has she appeared in several Chicago based TV shows, but she also held the title of Miss Worldwide Native American, was the co founder of Lancer Cheerleading team, has modeled for several international runway designers, appeared in over a dozen magazines, and, lastly, just earned a Bachelors Degree in American Sign Language Interpreting.
Chassidy believes in giving back to her community and has dedicated countless hours volunteering with organizations such as Sunrise Assisted Living Facility, Project Linus Blankets, Autism Speaks Spokesmodel, Feed the Starving Children Charity Carwash, Charter One Great Lakes Naval Base Playground, JDRF walk to Cure Diabetes and MADD service volunteer.
What was your first break?
My first break happened to me my accident as I was a freshman at my local community college.
I was walking through the campus one day, and was approached by a gentleman who inquired about my ethnicity. He asked if it was possible to be involved in a commercial for the college, and with reluctancy I answered ‘yes’.
The following week, I was on set shooting a commercial that aired locally — on the radio stations, and even at the theaters! Due to that one chance encounter — my career exploded!
Worst thing that ever happened to you to remind you that you are Black?
I remember vividly walking into a restaurant just a few years, down South, with my then yummy German boyfriend (now Fiance). I was extremely excited about my wonderful new hairdo — beautiful long and fluffy crochet braids — sexy tribal dress, and beautiful sun-kissed skin.
As soon as I walked into the restaurant, the place went silent and chills ran down my spine.
Each person looked at me with disgust, and I felt as if I had traveled back in time, a time when blacks and whites were segregated. Disregarding this, I sat down anyway — Hey, a girl’s gotta eat — and was then approached by a waitress who didn’t speak one word to me.
She spoke only to my fiancé, and finally after several minutes of her ignoring me completely, my fiancé grabbed my hand and walked out.
The atmosphere and tension in the restaurant was so tense and I knew the reason why I was treated like that was due to the color of my skin.
Best thing to ever happen to you to remind you that you are Black?
Back in my earlier pageant competing days, I was at an event where one ten-year-old girl came up to me and said, “Thank you. Thank you for showing me that I can do it too.”
Work you are most proud of?
I am extremely proud of every project I have been apart of, but one of the things that stands out to me is when I was worked with African business owner Adodo Delali Robison. I modeled beautiful African inspired clothing and jewelry, and used my photos as a branding for her salon. I was also very lucky to have one of my photographs from this photo shoot used on the front cover of TotalU magazine
How has the business changed since you broke in?
Focusing on the modeling side, it is nice to see every shade of beauty represented. I think that more women are starting to understand that being confident and beautiful does not correlate with having to wear less clothing. Being sexy is being confident!
Trapped on an island, what are the creative essentials you must have?
A Polaroid camera.
If you had a time machine, what would you say to your past self?
“Chassidy-Shabree’a Nicole Spencer: Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”
If you could have a one-on-one with anyone who would it be? And why?
I would love to have a one on one with Mildred Loving. She was a woman who fought for her belief in true love, regardless of skin color.
To read about others on The Reel Black List, click here.
