Shawana Montgomery known as Ms. Shi is a single professional woman of God. Born and raised in Sanford, Florida (on the outskirts of Orlando) this is where her roots began in the modeling industry. Since a child, she had always wanted to be a model so, at age 13; her grandparents enrolled her in Barbizon Modeling School and John Casablanca. She pursued her modeling career throughout her childhood through participating in local fashion shows and teen pageants.
During her 9th grade year at Sanford Seminole High School she decided to focus on another talent that she was birth with, which was to be a runner! Throughout her high-school years she put modeling aside and pursued a deeper desire she had within her heart. Besides academics, Track and Field was her main focus in school. Shawana enjoyed the competition and loved the fact that she held many titles. Along with her teammates, they proclaimed victory for four years in the mile relay, breaking the state record in 1994 at University of Florida. They also won the Sunshine State track meets in 1994 and 1996. She has a long list of accomplishments that can be spoken about. Her dream was to become a professional international track star.
Shawana graduated from Seminole High in May of 1996. She received a track scholarship to attend Barton County Junior College in spring of 1997, where she continued to pursue her dream as a runner while competing in many indoors and outdoors events. She participated in the Texas Relays, Kansas State Relays and other national events while in college. Shawana currently hold a title in indoor events as “All American” in the long jump at 21 feet 8 inches… the rest is history.
In 2000, Shawana shifted her focus and continued her modeling career. She was featured in the sitcom “Sheena the Queen of the Jungle” in 2000 and did a reenactment scene for “America’s Most Wanted” in 2001. She also played a role in “The Tree of Good and Evil”, a local movie in Jacksonville, Florida. She has done promotional work for UBI Soft with Monster Jam April 2002 and as a Miller Lite Spokes Model in 2002. In 2003, she was featured in Joe Budden’s rap video “Pump it Up” and in 2007 featured in the Storitalerz hip hop gospel rap video and partook in the movie “When the Buzzar Sounds,” produce by Bofilms. She still has more endeavors to pursue.
In November of 2006, she had the opportunity to facilitate Jacksonville’s first music conference fashion show. Her passion for the modeling industry instantly returned. At this point in her life, her main focus was giving back to others. She is such an incredible, business minded woman that God gave her a VISION to start her own modeling management business in November 2006. SynSha Models, Inc. was incorporated in January 2007 with her vision to encourage aspiring and experienced models to become mentors to the youth. “We are not just a modeling business; we are here to motivate our youth to succeed in life beyond high school”. Shawana said, “It's not who you know, its who knows you! Your NETWORK will turn into your NET WORTH”.
Ms. Shi also took part in the HBO movie "Recount" that was aired in spring 2008. Look out for her as she was the only African American woman that played in the media/press scene. In 2008 she had the opportunity to work aside with Niama Mora America Next Top Model Season Four winner as she co-hosted Jacksonville Fasion Week. In 2009 she worked with the production crew on the Pretty Ricky video, "Tispy" and hosted Hot Block Magazine first awards fashion show in Atlanta. In 2010, she coordinated her first 'Photography and Model Expo"- that awarded photographers for continuing to capture the beauty of models, MUA, etc. Her most recent project was working w/Dwight Eubanks (Atlanta Housewives fashion guru) and Anthony Eastwick (Celebrity Designer) in the Ultimate Fashion show April 2011.
Shawana “Shi” Montgomery earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree with emphasis in Organizational Management from Edward Waters College. She is an alumnus of the Jacksonville Blueprint for Leadership, now known as Helping Hands of Jacksonville. Shawana sits on the board of directors for All 4 Learning Elite Academy and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated. She has always had an entrepreneurial spirit since the third grade. Always was the go getter in the family that made every effort to do her best at everything she laid her hands on.
If you are seeking a professional to assist in planning, coordinating, & hosting your next fashion show or event please do contact Ms. Shi.
She is also the founder of "The SynSha Initiative" founded 2/2010, a sponsor of Sigma Phi Delta and I.C.O.N.S. teen organizations in Jacksonville, Fl.
"As you experience mistakes and challenges in your life, remember that there is always a brighter side that determines your success."- Ms. Shi 1/13/06