Today we’d like to introduce you to Alayna Sky.
Hi Alayna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
People often ask me who Alayna Sky is, and the answer has grown with every season of my life. I wear many hats. I am WJZZ media personnel and a brand ambassador, an actress, a model, a public relations specialist, a mentor, and a scholar. This December, I will graduate with honors from Wayne State University, earning my bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with double minors in Theatre and Public Relations. Every title represents a chapter of my journey, but none of them fully define me. At my core, I am simply a woman who never stopped believing that God had a purpose for her life.
I grew up Downriver, primarily in Southwest Detroit and Ecorse, Michigan. As a child, I was naturally quiet, so music and writing became my voice. Whenever I had emotions I could not express out loud, I wrote. Whether it was songs, letters, or stories, writing became the outlet that carried me through some of my hardest moments. Outside of school, I spent most of my time at home or in church, where my grandmother faithfully took my sister and me every week.
One of the most meaningful relationships in my childhood was with my uncle Alvin. During the nine years he was incarcerated, I wrote to him constantly. Looking back, those letters became therapy for me. He listened without judgment and encouraged my creativity by giving me feedback on the songs I wrote. During a time when I often felt alone, he became someone I could truly talk to, and those conversations helped shape the confidence I carry today.
Music has always been my first love. Growing up in church choir strengthened my passion, while my father, Antoine Lawson, introduced me to the music that still inspires me today. He gave me an appreciation for the timeless sounds of the 1970s and 1980s. I spent countless hours watching music channels, especially BET’s 106 and Park and every program I could find. I fell in love with every genre, including rhythm and blues, hip hop, gospel, oldies, jazz, and rock, country, everything as long as it was good lol I was rocking with it lol.
I never wanted to choose just one path. I loved songwriting, production, artist development, branding, and the business behind the music. That passion eventually led me into public relations, where I discovered I could help artists share their stories while pursuing my own.
The people who influenced me most were my father and my uncle. My father taught me what hard work looked like. Even while working full time at United States Steel, he operated multiple businesses, including a lawn service, snow removal, and a shuttle service. Watching him showed me that success requires discipline, sacrifice, and consistency. My uncle reinforced another lesson that your past does not define your future. After prison, he pursued music, started a credit business, earned his college degree, and eventually completed his master’s degree. He proved that every day is another opportunity to become better than the day before.
My professional journey officially began in 2017 during my final year at Wayne County Community College District. A performing arts class introduced me to acting, and I instantly knew I had found another passion. Around the same time, I interned in public relations under Carol Dorsey, where I worked on campaigns involving artists such as Kash Doll, Darius DeShawn, DJ Snook, and Planet Radio 100. After that experience, I began managing public relations independently for my uncle’s company, Gifted and Talented, Limited Liability Company, representing both him and his artists. Even before then, in 2015, I had already taken a leap of faith by creating my own company, Sekhmet Media Communications, Limited Liability Company. Looking back, I realize I was building my future long before I fully understood where it would lead.
One of the greatest blessings throughout my journey has been my faith. There were many moments when I felt lost, but I never felt abandoned. God’s grace carried me through every setback, and my grandmother and mother’s prayers reminded me to stay grounded when life became overwhelming. Today, as I prepare to graduate from Wayne State University, I know that every delay had a purpose. Sometimes I was not behind. I was simply becoming the woman God was preparing me to be. Networking, persistence, and authenticity have opened incredible doors for me. Earlier this year, one of my proudest moments came when I auditioned with Next Frame Casting under Keisha Rene. Her mentorship has been invaluable, reminding me that success is not about fitting in. It is about knowing who you are and surrounding yourself with people who genuinely believe in your potential.
Every morning I wake up grateful because I know life is a gift. Surviving a horrific car accident in which my vehicle flipped over changed my perspective forever. Experiences like that remind you that tomorrow is not promised. They motivate me to pursue my purpose with urgency and gratitude. That same passion has also inspired me to mentor students through Wayne State University’s Success Through Intentional Learning and Engagement program and to work with children as a paraprofessional and mentor through Madison Carver Academy’s Discover Works summer program.
Balancing education, work, and my personal life took time to master, but today I have an incredible support system. My fiancé, Brian “Hollywood” Hollowell, understands the entertainment industry because he shares many of the same passions. Whether we are supporting one another’s careers or serving our community, we are building a life rooted in faith, purpose, and mutual encouragement. As we prepare to marry on August 22, 2026, I am excited for the future we are creating together.
When I make decisions today, I often think about my father, who passed away in 2022. His work ethic, wisdom, and belief in me continue to guide my life. I strive every day to become the woman he would be proud of. His legacy lives on through my determination to lead with integrity, humility, and excellence.
If there is one thing I hope people take away from my story, it is this. Your past does not determine your future. There will be setbacks, disappointments, and seasons when you question everything. But if you keep your faith, continue doing the work, and refuse to quit, your story can become someone else’s source of hope. God has a purpose for every life, including yours. Keep believing, keep growing, and never stop reaching for the future He has prepared for you.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has not been without obstacles. Although I was a strong student academically, life became difficult after my parents separated during my freshman year of high school. Depression became a battle I silently carried for years. When I turned eighteen, I began drinking to cope, and it affected my education, my relationships, and my confidence. Even during those difficult years, I never gave up on the vision I had for my life. I worked multiple jobs, sometimes traveling on three buses just to get to work at my first factory job. That experience taught me resilience. My dedication earned me my first promotion, reminding me that hard work always creates opportunities. Throughout my career, I have continued with that same mindset, often balancing multiple jobs because I refused to settle. I wanted financial independence, personal growth, and the freedom to pursue my dreams.
The setbacks I experienced ultimately taught me something I could not learn in a classroom. Peace begins within. I had to learn who I was outside of pain, remove unhealthy relationships from my life, and choose environments that encouraged growth. Healing became one of the greatest investments I have ever made.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This season of my life has been filled with unforgettable milestones. Being selected by WJZZ, the world’s oldest jazz station, as a media personality and brand ambassador by President Rodger Penzabene is an incredible honor. Interviewing Grammy nominated jazz and soul artist Maysa was another career highlight. Every Monday, I have the privilege of covering tributes at Aretha’s Jazz Café and events at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. Those moments are especially meaningful because my father introduced my sister and me to jazz by taking us to concerts when we were young. Now, every interview feels like another way of honoring his memory.
Beyond entertainment, I am committed to serving my community. Whether volunteering with Wayne State University, mentoring children, or returning for my second year volunteering with the Detroit Free Press Marathon, I believe success means little unless you are using it to help someone else. As I look ahead, I am filled with excitement. I am graduating from Wayne State University, continuing to build my career in entertainment and public relations, expanding my work with WJZZ, and beginning a new chapter as a wife. More importantly, I am becoming the woman I prayed to be.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people know me for my work in media and entertainment, but what they may not know is that I was a very quiet child who found my voice through writing, and after my parents separated I faced depression and turned to alcohol to cope. Over time, I learned how to heal, lean on my faith, and use those painful experiences to make me stronger.
Pricing:
- $44.52 Goddess Fit goes to Hollywood Fashion Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-goddess-fit-fashion-show-goes-hollywood-tickets-1990302873472?aff=AlaynaS
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alaynasky.pr/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaynalawson/
