Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Simmons
Hi Dawn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Who would have thought that a shy, insecure, chubby little girl would become an outspoken, comical & motivational personality. I grew up in upstate New York raised by a single mother and older brother, with dreams and aspirations of one day becoming a Superstar. I was met with naysayers and adult family bullies who made me feel invisible due to not fitting the norm because I was a “Fat kid”. Along with surviving a terrifying childhood accident where my tongue was almost severely cut off. I was not letting anything, or anyone stop my dreams. Throughout my adolescence I was still determined to be a Superstar by joining the theatre club, band, chorus, singing in talent shows in Elementary all through High school. I always found myself making people comfortable in their skin by befriending them, making them laugh along with entertaining them. That person, who soon became “Ms. Daybreak” followed me as I journeyed throughout the course of my life.
While serving in the United States Navy, deployed in the Gulf war during “Desert Storm”, I found myself lifting spirits and moral with getting groups together to put on Talent/Variety shows. Even in port we would enlist other Seaman to take part in showcasing their talents. Although we were over there to serve our country, we found ways to continue to enjoy and make the best of an uncertain situation.
Blessed and excited to have returned home safe and sound, I traveled the USA with a few pit stops here and there. I settled and found my home here in Charleston, SC. working customer services in hotels, making the rounds in call centers and then found a comfortable position working within the Mortgage industry.
Like putting on pantyhose I suffered a few snags and mishaps with “Adulting”. I decided to work harder at fulfilling my dreams and obtain my degree in Radio & Television broadcasting. I procured an internship with a local Radio station as an on-air talent, including working as a Production assistant with WCSC Live5 Morning news team all while juggling my mortgage workload. Talk about long days finding out that work really included work. Who figured?
One day I asked if I could try my hand at hosting the college Talent show and I not only did I “KILLED It” but found a true calling. So spawned “Ms. Daybreak” your Host & MC to Weddings, Birthdays, Special Family life events, Talent & Fashion shows, Community, Business, Church & Music events, Grand Openings, & Brand Ambassador to several up-in-coming local entrepreneurs and Motivational speaker throughout the Lowcountry and afar. Unable to find a salaried position with any local radio stations I decided to produce and hosted my own radio show “Break of Dawn with Ms. Daybreak on CCG Network streaming radio.
During the pandemic times were great, until they weren’t. Luckily, I was able to maintain my position as a work from home mortgage settlement specialist until the phone call came with unfortunate news, “We are ending our relationship due to layoffs from higher management”. I’ve been through this before, I will just enjoy my severance package, revise my resume and collect unemployment until the next job comes a calling. But no calls, no possibilities running me down and Burger King thought I was “too experienced” Hmm. My faith kicked in and I knew GOD had a plan for me, when one door closes, you knock down a wall.
During a few low moments, I’ve found that as you work on and wait for your breakthrough you should be a light to someone else. One day I was cleaning my closet and realized I had so many blankets and comforters that I was no longer using, and GOD gave me the idea to warm the homeless during cold and winter months. He gave me the name “Blanket Blessings”, a soon to be non-profit organization that has provided over hundreds of lightly used blankets, comforters, sleeping bags, tents, blow-up mats, sweaters, hoodies, socks, gloves, hats and personal items to the displaced Kings & Queens here in Charleston. Of course, with the help of so some many loving and giving people throughout the Lowcountry.
I began journaling my “Walking it out moments” live on Facebook every Wednesday at 8:15 am called “Walk it out, while HE works it out Wednesday”, started a podcast called “Pick Up your Crown”, a motivational insight on returning to Royalty, as the King & Queen you were born to become, which is found on majority podcast listening platforms, recently signed with a new radio streaming station as an On-Air talent, jumped into the entrepreneurial pond with selling premium Fashionable Eyeglass frames called “BeHOLD Eyewear” along with being an actress with movies showcasing on Netflix, Amazon and Tubi. The walls are definitely tumbling down. After I was requested to speak to an elementary class on finances and entrepreneurial-ship, I’ve decided I’m going to put my mortgage knowledge to work and come up with a curriculum to teach Financial Literacy to the youth. And did I say that I was an All-around fun person, I’ve definitely proven my naysayers WRONG.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Certainly not, being an adult definitely was a big kick in the jaw. We grow up not realizing what our parents had to do to make us the perfect little kids that we were. (Wink Wink). What it took to put food on the table, maintain the bills along with making children happy by signing them up and showing up for every after-school activity out there all while attempting to have a life of their own. Especially in the African American community there are additional obstacles you have to maneuver and tread lightly through. I made a whole hell of a lot of bad decisions, financially and personally. I started following the crowd and was a substance abusing party girl, I was in a long-term relationship with a wounded man, who was psychologically abusive, whom I share a child with… (my daughter Nya Lovey, my one perfect accomplishment) and my insecurities definitely showed up as I started to believe what others thought or said about me. But my faith in GOD and having a praying mother pushed me to hold my head up, keep pushing, keep trying and don’t give up. Sounds like a cliche but keeping it simple and following the path that GOD has for you, you will see the Victory and the fruits of your labor.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well, they call me Ms. Daybreak, Elegantly Comedic, Fashionably Professional and Anointedly Appointed Host. A “Spirit Cheerleader ready, willing and able to give your audience an experience by setting the right atmosphere enlighten with Love, Radical Motivation and Exuberant Fun that will move them to their feet. I specialize as an Emcee who hosts all genres of events. No matter the occasion I show up to provide the “Cherry on top” of an already perfectly delicious extravagant cake. I bring ease and assistance to the host so that they will be able to sit back and enjoy their event.
I myself have planned and put on events that I can honestly say I did not have the opportunity to sit back, mingle, dance or even taste any of the tasty goods that I so meticulously put together. Although it’s great to hear that your guests have had fun, but it would be great to say the same at the end of the night.
“Ms. Daybreak” has recently been nominated by the “Guide of South Carolina” as the “2024 Best Host of Event services” for their annual “Best Of” awards show.
How do you think about happiness?
I love seeing the world Happy. Succeeding at life and not just maintaining. Being able to see and enjoy the moments. Smelling the roses and hearing the birds chirping. It’s truly a blessing to just wake up, so if you can’t make the best of the day, just make the best out of the moment by moment by moment. My daughter told me one time that “You should be happy with what you get”. It took me some time to wrap my head around it, but she was right. I may not be happy with paying a mortgage but I’m happy I have a house, a home. I may not be happy with what I see, but I have sight. Celebrate and enjoy the little things because eventually they can and will become Big. I love celebrating my friend’s accomplishments and dreams. I’m happy when I sing, when I hang out with my mom & daughter and of course my other children, my Fur babies Deuce & Parmesan. I love being a part of greatness in the making. I’m currently working as stage manager for the stage play “Big Mama’s a musical”. Singing with the internationally known choir the “Lowcountry Voices”. And I will continue to live out my childhood dreams of becoming a ‘Superstar” for the that shy, chubby, little insecure girl that I made a promise too. Dawn Simmons, People see you, but they just don’t know. But they will.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.msdaybreak.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msdaybreak69/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msdaybreak69/
- Twitter: https://x.com/dawn_simmons
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuERUM-atz-2bMZUb2Pxcqw
- Other: https://behold-eyewear.square.site/
