Shikiri Hightower-Gaskin, Founder & CEO
Of Chinese and African-American descent, the Berkley, California native grew up amidst a diverse family dynamic. Her mother immersed Shikiri in Chinese heritage, while her father was a member of the Black Panther Party, so she was able to experience “the pro-black love mixed with the Asian revolutionary spirit.” But as a young girl watching her aunt work in fashion, she realized early on that she’d found her calling.”The idea that you could make money by selling clothing was the most fascinating thing to me.”
Hightower-Gaskin received a BA from the University of Southern California as a journalism major. While there, she met and married Keyshawn Johnson, who would later become the first pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. She later earned a Master’s degree from UC Berkeley’s prestigious Graduate School of Journalism.
In 2001, Hightower-Gaskin opened the doors to Shikiri in one of Los Angeles’ hippest shopping districts on Robertson Boulevard. A stone’s throw from luxury brand fashion houses like Chanel and Fendi, Shikiri’s racks drew a wide array of celebrity clientele. Essence Magazine called Shikiri a “must-stop for the Hollywood set” and an “ultrachic unique shopping experience.” In 2005, Hightower-Gaskin launched Golden Butterfly in Santa Monica. A breathtakingly ornate boutique located on Montana Avenue, Golden Butterfly specialized in high-end shoes and accessories.
Shikiri is an 2017 executive MBA candidate at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Shikiri also co-hosts and produces, with her husband, “The Praise Report,” a weekly radio show on New Orleans’ KAGY Radio.
Listen to “The Praise Report” every Wednesday, 10AM-1PM CST, Nola time on 97.9FM, 1510AM. Also, streamed live worldwide, 8-11AM PCT, 11AM-2PM EST, on http://www.kagyradio.com. For more information go to: http://praisereportworldwide.com.
Accessing the whole luxury lifestyle, Shikiri also embraces attaining beautiful skin and nutrition for a healthy, active life. Rodan + Fields delivers uniquely effective skincare products designed by two of the most respected dermatologists in the country with a legacy of transforming skin. Here is the the website for more information and where to purchase: https://shightowergaskin.myrandf.biz/
Shikiri’s go to nutrition company is Herbalife, the global nutrition company that has been changing people’s lives with great products since 1980. She uses the nutrition, weight-management, energy and fitness products. Here is the website for more information: http://goo.gl/5130A5
For more information on China Royal, Rodan + Fields or Herbalife, please contact Shikiri at shikiri@upnextweb.com. For the “The Praise Report,” please contact her at shikiri@PraiseReportWorldwide.com.
