In an intimate conversation on the 2018 ESSENCE Festival Empowerment Stage, Robin Thede hosted the “I Shine, She Shines” panel with actress Niecy Nash and costume designer, Ruth E. Carter. The trio discussed how they navigate their careers in Hollywood and shared insight on how to build up the next generation.

Niecy Nash, a veteran in the entertainment and film industry, shared gems with the audience and offered transparency about her journey in acting as well as her personal life.

Scroll through for 5 crucial lessons we learned from Niecy during the conversation and then be sure to check out ESSENCE.com for more of everything you missed at our 2018 ESSENCE Festival.

1. Don’t get weary in waiting.

2. When you do right by people, good things will always happen to you and for you.

3. Don’t allow people to box you in

Coming into the entertainment/acting world as a comic, Nash always knew that she wanted to test the boundaries and explore other roles and opportunities.

“The industry placed me in comedy but I always wanted to do drama”, Nash shared with the audience. After her role as Nurse DiDi in ‘Getting On’, people began to take her serious and gained the impression that if you could make people laugh, you can make people cry.

“I had to invite people to see me the way I saw myself.”

4. It’s important to continue telling stories for Black women and women of color

5. Self Esteem, have some

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