Minisha Hicks: Fashion Blog Provides Outlet for Social Justice
August 18, 2020
The D.C. Bar presents the series “Conventionally Unconventional: Wellness Practices During the Pandemic,” spotlighting how D.C. Bar members are maintaining their mental health and assisting others using unconventional means in this time of crisis.
Social influencer, fashion blogger, and attorney Minisha Hicks has a keen eye for detail. It proves helpful when planning photo shoots or selecting brands for her thriving fashion blog, She Is the Fly Esq. It’s also helpful when analyzing legal entanglements in her day job at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “While I do not practice law per se, I use my legal skills on a daily basis managing a division that is, in part, dedicated to administrative appeals regarding participation in the Medicare program,” says Hicks. “There is no typical day. A lot of what sets my pace is the email traffic from providers and Medicare stakeholders. Anything can come up requiring my immediate attention [as a hearing officer], especially now. There is a large amount of email traffic. In addition, final agency decisions are being rendered every day, and it’s fast-moving.”
During the pandemic, Hicks has maintained a vigorous work schedule. To help her cope, she turns to fashion. What began as a hobby and slight clothing obsession has morphed into a way to maintain mindfulness during this unprecedented time. “It’s something to look forward to,” says Hicks when asked about how her love for fashion has provided an outlet during this time. “Let’s face it, the pandemic has caused a lot of boredom. I’m mostly staying at home and limiting my social interaction and public contact. Planning the outfits and accessories and choosing locations for my fashion blog and social media presence are things I look forward to weekly. It’s a nice, consistent outlet. The pandemic has definitely made me more creative. Being mindful of the restrictions related to the pandemic, I used every part of my home for shoots. The pandemic even helped me make laundry glamorous,” laughs Hicks.
Scouring Hicks’s social media sites, you see her creativity shining through. There are several meticulously and beautifully crafted photos. “I have been a lover of fashion and makeup since I can remember. During the last few years, I have embarked on this amazing journey of self-improvement and self-evolution. In that evolution, I have come to love myself, and my blog is an outpouring of that,” Hicks says. Looking at her growing social media presence, it’s obvious that her fans can feel the love and appreciate her unconventional pastime.
This fashionista’s social media presence is more than a creative outlet; it’s an ode to social justice reform as well. Viewing herself as a change agent, Hicks has made a conscious choice to support black-owned businesses as a way to stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. “The movement has been thrust into the forefront because of the pandemic and because of the murder of George Floyd and many other black men and women. I really struggled with what I could do in this moment. I wasn’t comfortable getting out in public and protesting and showing my support in that way,” says Hicks.
She has chosen to feature a black-owned business each week. “It’s just been a pleasure to discuss, discover, patronize, and promote these businesses and feature the Black Lives Matter movement. I hope I am doing my part to increase the visibility of this movement and propel it forward,” she says.
Mindfulness presents itself in many different forms. For Hicks, it is curating a safe and open environment to showcase beauty with a social justice bent. She is choosing to celebrate herself and live out loud, ignoring society’s constant refrain of duck, cover, and cower. Her hope is that despite the unrelenting pressures of our industry, we all choose small moments to celebrate ourselves. “I want people to come away from my posts thinking, ‘her posts bring me joy. She’s giving me ideas about how I can support black businesses and feel better about myself,’” says Hicks.
June P. Johnson is an attorney, yoga instructor, and founder of True Bliss Television.
