Meelah Williams: From "702" to Motherhood & Advocacy for Special Needs

As we journey through the world of entertainment, it's not every day that we have the privilege of having an open and honest conversation with someone as dedicated and multi-talented as Meelah Williams of the legendary 90's R&B group. "702." Our chat with her didn't just revolve around the glitz and glamour of the music industry; it spanned personal struggles, parenthood, advocacy, and plans of making a significant impact on the lives of special needs children. From her early days in high school to her transition as the lead singer of 702, Meelah shares in detail the dynamics of working in a group and how her experiences have shaped her into the person she is today.

Motherhood, as we know, is a game-changer, and for Meelah, it's been a journey of personal sacrifices and immense growth. She speaks candidly about her experiences raising her autistic son, the obstacles she's faced, and how these experiences prompted her to become an advocate for special education. As the author of the children's book "Zac's Favorite Socks,"  she shares how her son's journey inspired her to use her platform to raise autism awareness and provide resources to parents in similar situations.

However, life has not always been a bed of roses for Meelah. She opens up about her personal struggles, including the challenges of balancing her career and raising her son alongside her child's father, Musiq Soulchild . But despite the hurdles, she's optimistic about the future and shares her grand vision for a project dedicated to supporting special needs children. As we reflect on her career highlights, it's clear that behind the celebrity façade is a determined, resilient woman who uses her experiences to impact lives positively. We hope her story inspires you as much as it has inspired us.

SUBSCRIBE!

Visit Sanya On-Air Celebrity  Interviews:
Site: https://www.sanyaonair.net/

Follow: IG @Sanya_OnAir

Shop:
Sanya On-Air Apparel: https://sanya-on-air.creator-spring.com

InstaCart: https://instacart.oloiyb.net/c/2932145/1447547/7412
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on the InstaCart link.


Production Credits:
Theme Song: Heisman
Digital Studio Design Team: Renaissance Management Services & Studio of Design

Transcript

Sanya: 0:08

I'm going to turn it off. I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm.

Meelah: 0:24

I'm, I'm MPT. How are?

Sanya: 0:32

you.

Meelah: 0:39

I'm great.

Sanya: 0:41

I'm great, I'm, I'm Bean, I'm Boah. You are people like me. Do you even understand that?

Meelah: 1:00

Um, probably not. I'm grateful, though. I mean, no, I'm super humble. Thank you in honor to gosh. I mean, I never know how to take that. Thank you so much. I'm grateful. That's just like a huge blessing. You know what I mean Like to have had the opportunity to have people like yourself even feel like that. It's just like yes, yes, really.

Sanya: 1:26

Yes, really, and that speaks volumes to who you are as an artist, because you started creating music when you were still in high school. Yes, and we're grown and we're still singing the lyrics till today.

Meelah: 1:41

I know which is crazy. I'm so grateful for that. Like there's been like this whole resurgence, if you will, of, like, I guess, the 90s era, and so I'm just like, okay, I'll take it, come on back. I'm grateful, like it's weird, it's a blessing because, you know, social media is interesting. It's weird, it's a different thing. It wasn't around when I was around and so I have this love-hate relationship with social media. But it's so cool because it can do things like create the songs to all of a sudden go viral and all the right type of stuff and just kind of I don't know, it introduces the younger generation, you know, to our music. I'm just grateful for all of that because it's been like 25 plus years. Yes, yes.

Sanya: 2:32

Yes, it's just crossing generations, because I'm a 15-year-old woman and I have a 28-year-old daughter and we are both listening to Get it Together and I'm like hello, I'm telling you. You know, I was. As I was preparing for this conversation, I said you know, I was singing these lyrics when I probably didn't even know what they meant. For example, you don't know the pain that I feel. You're taking my love for granted and you just want to see it your way. Why was I singing that song as a teenager?

Meelah: 3:14

I was singing at a mass. No, you know, it's a funny story. It's funny to say that because I was like 17. Irish, which meant LaMisha, and I were like 17, which meant Irish 12 was like 15. She's two years younger than us. It's so bizarre. We laugh about it now but we say, you know, like when I sing it live, I always say that I'm like I had no idea what I was singing about.

Meelah: 3:35

And we literally recorded that song in the middle of the school year. We flew straight from Vegas right after school to a session in LA and in between takes we were doing homework and Donnell Jones wrote and produced that record and it took me three. It took three days for us to complete that song, which was so simple in my mind. I'm like this is such a simple song and I thought, you know, I thought I had done a great job, but it wasn't. I wasn't delivering how he needed me to, but there was a message to his madness I just want to. But I think I was so young and hadn't had that experience that, even though I may have sounded good, he needed that pain and friction and that emotion.

Sanya: 4:17

Yes, and I was like. So, as a grown woman, can you now relate to that song a lot better and differently. Let me take my glasses off for this.

Meelah: 4:27

You can see my face. Girl, I say that live too. I'm like. Now I can. I can sing it 10 times over and, unfortunately, probably have been through this song. Yes, it's the words. I'm like.

Sanya: 4:51

So you mentioned working with Donnell Jones. That's huge. I love him. He said talk about the experience in the studio, so he wanted you to tap into him your emotion a little bit more with the song. Get it together. Share another story working in the studio with Donnell Jones.

Meelah: 5:09

Okay, so he's gonna kill me. But I have since told him. I don't know if he remembers, but it's so bizarre. Initially we had never worked with him before. I was a fan, of course, but I didn't really know how he was as a writer, producer. He had us well, he had what my let me speak for my stuff. My memory was he had me, of course, we doing things over and over. I was used to that. That's fine process of recording, but he had an interpreter, like he had someone speaking to me as he whispered. He was like I was recording and then they'd what I was like. You're right there, like what's happening, but I love him.

Sanya: 5:57

It happens a lot, though, in the industry.

Meelah: 5:59

It was so bizarre, but you know what I've learned? That people who are geniuses, such as himself, they are a little different.

Meelah: 6:08

You know, and it balances out. But I love him so much, so kind. He's out here in Atlanta one based as well. So we run into each other from time to time. I ran into him recently, a few months back for a. We both were doing something for St Jude's, for cancer, for children, and he's always so just consistent every time I see him. He did an event for me back in the day for my foundation, didn't ask me for anything, just showed up for me and you know I appreciate it. He said the cause was near and dear to his heart and he showed up for me and saying I'm just like this is what it's about, you know, it's like about paying for it and we should be able to show up for each other in our time of need. I know he's just a cool dude, you know. So I'm just happy to see him out touring his stuff again and getting the flowers that he deserves, because he's really talented.

Sanya: 7:03

Yeah, and I'm glad to see a whole bunch of artists getting the flowers that they deserve, especially you and 702. I just want to kind of rewind the time clock just a little bit, because I know that as kids we are always having these big dreams of becoming someone. Did you become who you thought you would be when you were dreaming as a kid?

Meelah: 7:28

Yes and no, because although I love to sing as a kid, I've been singing since I was seven. That's the first time I sang on a microphone which was in church and the church choir was like my first solo at like seven years old. So I learned then that I really enjoyed singing and then I maybe had, you know, a knack for it. You know, if you will, I'm not half-cadetist, but I never knew if I wanted to necessarily be like a big music star. I just knew I wanted to do something on television or something in broadcasting or journalism. I wanted to go to college, because it's all. My sister go to college. She was an HBCU so I was living vicariously through her. But then 702 happened. But I just always knew I wanted to do my mom make she rest in peace. Past in October. She would always tell me that I always told her as a little girl I'm gonna buy you a big mansion and I'm gonna be rich. I don't remember saying, I don't remember the same areas, but I guess I always knew I wanted to do something great. I had no idea would lead to this with 702 absolutely not.

Meelah: 8:39

I was always a one-man band. I sang throughout elementary and my mother had me singing all throughout Vegas as a young girl. I performed all kind of talent shows and fashion shows. I was model and sing. My mom just had me pretty active as a young girl. Once we realized that that I did have talent, he didn't force me to do anything but I really enjoyed it. But I wasn't certain. But I also was good in schools. I wasn't certain that I wanted to be a big singing star. No, I wanted to go to college and I wanted to do like I said broadcasting or journalism or be an attorney.

Sanya: 9:16

So when did life take a shift where you said you know what I want to do this professionally and who helped you make that transition to singing professionally?

Meelah: 9:25

So I went in the studio for the first time when I was like 13, like by myself. I went in the studio and recorded the demo I think I recorded Whitney Houston's miracle and I got frustrated much harder than I thought and I was like I don't want to do this anymore. I quit in like 13 for like five seconds. So then right. So I got high school, which was like a year later. The years later I realized I really do enjoy singing all the stuff at school. You know the black and white.

Meelah: 9:57

And by the time I was a junior in high school I switched schools. I changed over to a performing arts high school, which is where I met my other two bandmates, lameisha and her sister, irish, and they had just, they were already signed to Motown and we were so proud of them, like all of us at the school was so like, oh my gosh, we got stars at the school, like they were on no, they're legit. No, they were on BET with with Diane Simpson. No, they're famous and the band is there. You know group of us. We were so happy for them and then all of a sudden they were doing like I guess group, group shifting and member member changes and I auditioned. They asked me to audition, I auditioned and, yeah, I guess sort of kind of not really, but sort of kind of you know the short and the story where the rest is history. So wait a minute.

Sanya: 10:48

So they were already in a group, lameisha and Irish. They asked you to audition. You now join the group, but how did you become the lead singer then in somebody else's group?

Meelah: 10:58

oh, so that was not. I don't think that was on purpose. That actually happened by default, unintentionally. I do realize that. I guess the executives realized that I had a particular sound, maybe for me, you know.

Sanya: 11:25

I don't see you and I can barely hear you, as I don't know if you're on a phone and someone's calling no, I shouldn't be hold on. I don't see you. Can you? I hear you, but I don't see you, okay that usually happens is someone calling they'll just see, you know, I told no, I shouldn't be.

Meelah: 11:54

You know everything. It's blocked, everything off yes, don't see the picture.

Sanya: 12:16

I don't know. I see you. You said you told Brandon what.

Meelah: 12:23

I was having technical issues earlier. I had no wifi for hours. We had an outage in my area.

Sanya: 12:28

Oh, wow, you know what can leave the studio and then try to come back in. Yes, that's what I'll do, I'll move you and then you come back. Okay, so technical difficulties it happens in podcasting. So this is another podcasting tip Just get through it, just keep on talking. So that's like really an aha moment for me. I didn't even know. So.

Sanya: 12:54

Mila, my own business in high school. She sees two girls, lamisha and Irish, starting a group and they are successful. They are reorganizing and adding more members to the group. They ask her to audition. She does, and then she joins the group. 702 becomes 702. Record label executives realize that she has a voice talent and makes her the lead singer. That happens so often in a lot of groups where, when they start the group, everyone thinks that they are going to be on the same playing field. Okay, you sing this verse, you sing that verse. Okay, you got two verses, I'll get two verses. That's how a lot of groups initially start and then something happens and then one of the members are pushed into the forefront and then it causes dysfunction and tension amongst everyone. Okay, there you go. Sorry about that, but you were talking about the record label pushing you to the forefront.

Meelah: 14:01

Right, pretty much so, yeah, when I joined. So initially you know, it was a four girl group of quartet. And then I joined and Michael Bivens decided to just only keep myself. Myself and another girl auditioned together and we both were kind of like, you know, in this gosh it was like a boot camp, if you will, and we had to audition to make sure that it makes sense, to make sure we were the right fit.

Meelah: 14:24

But instead of just keeping me making it a trio so by the time I was the only one that had joined the group I needed to now get on these songs that were already recorded before I joined, to add me. You know, just add me. So I think initially the plan was to just bring me in as a to help to assist with lead vocals, just just kind of bring in more additional lead vocals, so it wasn't just all on one person. But then I came in and then I just started leading the songs. They put me on like just the backgrounds first, and then of course I'll come in and like split the difference between LaMisha, who was already on the vocals, the leads, and she take one, she take one. You know they leave her on one or whatever, and then I come in and sing the other part so that there was an introduction of this new girl.

Meelah: 15:17

But, ultimately it just like went from me being on just one verse to okay, one verse and a bridge to okay, both verses, both verses and a bridge, okay, the entire song. And it didn't always happen that way, but more often than not that's what just the producers and the executives ended up just going with. I think I mean, looking back now as an adult and hindsight, I think I just had a sound of radio friendly sound that they just were, I guess what is fancy it was, they fancied it and they were just very. It was something that clearly they were looking for. I don't know, I didn't listen, I was just trying not to get replaced. I'm like I was, I'm coming in, I'm coming in as a feeling, and so everybody's replaceable in my mind, okay, right, it was like I'm just doing my job.

Meelah: 16:08

But you know, unfortunately definitely took its toll on on the group, you know, because there was just all these different dynamics and different, you know, we were young and different feelings and everybody was just kind of not understanding what was happening, and I'm sure there were things that we weren't being told, and you know, goodness, it's a shrewd business, you know, but at the end of the day though, that's what it is. It is a business. And at that time it was kind of like let me just shut up and do as I'm told. You know, now, of course, as a whole grown adult, I definitely would have, you know, asked more questions or challenged things or, you know, maybe done things a little differently. But at the time I'm just like, oh, okay, I just got here, okay, I got to sing this, I got to sing that, I got to just singing Right, right, right.

Sanya: 16:51

But that's an adult that you can kind of look back and learn those lessons so that you can now show up better. And the music. But do you find we see this happening a lot when it comes to groups? So do you find that when groups are dismantled, do you find that it is because of the record label or it's because of the nuanced difficulties of people just can't really work together?

Meelah: 17:17

It could be. I think it's a little bit of both, you know, because we started out, we are like, first of all, I always say let me just put the disclaimer out there that we have way more great times than that. But it was not an easy road for me. You know, I went through a lot. I went through a whole lot actually, but thankfully, you know, now we can talk about it. You know, we've that's so old and water under the bridge, we've matured and we've forgiven and all that I could stuff. You know I'm sure I wasn't the only one who went through things that I mean, we all have our own stories and experiences. But unfortunately I do feel like it's a little bit of both.

Meelah: 17:56

Because on the executive side, like I just explained, you have the record label just kind of telling you hey, this is what I need you to do.

Meelah: 18:03

And then when you're with your counterparts, you guys have to have one mind, body and soul and be like joined at the hip. You know we are. You're not really allowed, when you're in a group, to have any individuality, and when you do, you stick out like a sore thumb and that's not the purpose of being in a group back then anyway, you know. So it's just, it's just kind of it creates this tension and like this weird synergy, or lack thereof, you know, and there's like animosity. That just naturally happens over time, you know, especially when you're developing and becoming a young woman and there's adolescence and you know, and you're really still trying to find yourself and at the end of the day, like I'm just, you know, you want to just do what makes sense in your mind, which is your job, right, but that's going to create discord and dissension and just naturally jealousy, you know, because one is looking like, well, if you're singing all the parts and then it means you get more FaceTime or whatever the case may be. You know, you just start feeling away. But I mean, listen, I was the lead singer but I never felt like it you know, aside from using my voice because and I didn't have that type- of attitude

Meelah: 19:23

but looking back, I mean now I'm like maybe if I would have had that type of attitude, I don't know, maybe we could have went further, who knows? But I was never a mean girl and I hate to say that, unfortunately, you know, nice girls finish last. So and this is not to play victim or be like I'm all perfect, absolutely not. We all had, I think, a contribution to the ultimate demise. But I came into a situation that was already, you know, established, a situation that was a family-originated group and it just wasn't always the easiest.

Meelah: 20:05

And then I come and, like you say here, I come out of the blue and become this Lee Singers, like you know, and that naturally, stuff like that that's going to naturally create, you know, some drama down the line. You know what I'm saying, but listen, I told them. Since then I'm like listen, I get how you guys felt, or how you know, I can admit that. Like I get how, if it was the other way around, I'm sure I would have been the same way. It's just a difference in how I probably would have approached it. But you know, we all have different personalities, but it's okay, things happen. The great thing is we got great classic songs out of it. You know what I mean. We got some hits out of it and the music is still going, so I'm happy about that and the fact that we are good now, like that's what really matters, you know.

Sanya: 20:52

Yes, yes, and the numbers don't lie. Those numbers really, really solidify 702 as legendary artists and group. Was there ever a point in time where you, and LaMisha and Irish, felt like the industry didn't give you the recognition that you deserved?

Meelah: 21:11

No, I don't feel like that. You know, I just talked about that yesterday briefly on my live, which I never go live but I just felt I don't know. I was like, why not? Because I was already up. I was already up bright out in Bushytales. I was like, oh, I'll go live. I had just done another interview.

Meelah: 21:27

So I went live and the word underrated came up and that word is I get that word a lot, you know, whether it's an interview, whether it's a question posed as a question, or whether it's from a fan or just in general conversation. And you know, I never really I don't, I don't know, I don't feel underrated. I feel like what was supposed to happen for me happened. You know what I mean. I feel like the road. Maybe I took some left turns, you know when. Maybe I should have gone right. But in my mind, and not to get all deep, but I always feel like, hey, god knows what one can handle, and I don't know that I was supposed to achieve, you know, an even higher level of success than I already have. I don't know that I would have been able to handle it, you know. So I'm like this is this, is this was just my fate and it just, you know, to me, like you're, like how you started out with. You know, are you aware of the impact? It's like I know, because the music is still going, that we were affected and how much is sampled today, that you know we did our job. But I think it's just how I was raised and just me trying my best to really stay grounded and humble, that I just don't allow myself to get a little you know aside myself. Maybe maybe, maybe I don't realize the impact because maybe, as you just said, maybe we weren't acknowledged enough. But I don't look at it like that because I think there's so many things that we have accomplished and that we were acknowledged. For that I'm I'm okay with everything, like I'm kind of like so all of this is still so surreal to me. It's so old now but it's still so surreal. And when I'm reminded about, you know, things like Good Burger and the story little soundtrack, and you know things that are just random but that were pretty awesome to be a part of. You know what I mean. And you know, of course, the legendary for the kids who remember back in the day, the cousin Skeeter and being a part of that whole you know Nickelodeon Good Burger situation and I'm just like those things are things that I can, you know, recant and tell my family, my smaller, you know, the younger generation about, I would say my son, but he, you know, he doesn't care, but you know, but those like, like, you know my niece, she's older now, she's graduated college, but she's you know, she comes from that era of the cousin Skeeter and you know those programs that were on when she was really little, and I'm just excited that I can say, or something. She wasn't pretty too, she was much younger.

Meelah: 24:26

But Netflix, you know, is now running like, say, moisha, and if you blink, you missed this. Yes, but in Sister, sister, but hey, if you turn that on and you happen to, you know, just watch it and binge it, you might see your aunt. You know what I'm saying and you know things like that are really cool to me. You know what I mean. Yes, we know there are a plethora of things that could have been way more substantial and way bigger, absolutely. But you know I'm not too mad at the things that we did accomplish, yeah, so I just try to look at it. I guess what I'm saying. My final point is just, I've gotten to a place in life now where I'm truly grateful, and I've always been grateful. I'm to the point now. I'm like looking at life and just things, as you know, not empty, you know and the silver lining, which is like, do you understand how many millions of people in the world strive to be famous singers? And God chose little me, you know. Yeah, I'll take it, I will take it.

Sanya: 25:35

But you know out of everything that you said what really resonated with me and what has been proven to be true your humility and your grounded and you are spiritually connected, and I'm a firm believer too. That's why I was smiling throughout. Everything she was saying is whatever God has purpose for you is purpose for you, and we just can't be, like why didn't you give me this?

Sanya: 25:59

He gave you such a plentiful career and life that we just have to say thank you for what you did give me, because you chose me and I'm not going to lie to you.

Meelah: 26:10

I went through a phase Don't get me wrong, I'm human. I definitely was with a phase, probably in like my 20s, where I was feeling like Tag, you know, like why are we doing that, or why can't I do that, or I could do that. You know what I mean. I went through that for a second for sure. It felt like, well, I want to be on that scale, like, but I had to ultimately really understand that I had a larger purpose.

Sanya: 26:32

Yeah.

Meelah: 26:32

Which was my son. You know I prayed and asked God not to. I said, look, god, I want a son. Please give me a son. Boom, Okay, you're having a son.

Meelah: 26:43

And I'm like, oh also, god, please don't don't let him have autism. Like I literally prayed for that specifically. God, please don't let my son have autism. Because it was like it was really prevalent. It was growing and growing, you know, it was becoming more popular. And I'm just like I know boys it was kind of new to us, but I knew that it was like, for whatever reason, it's more prevalent than boys.

Meelah: 27:03

And I'm like, oh, and, by the way, please don't let him have autism. And you know, god, I'm sure God chuggled and you know I was mad for a minute. I'm like, didn't I ask him that? You know, but it was like I realize now that there was there's just a greater design for my life, you know, and having a child on the spectrum has completely shifted and saved my life, because had I gone any higher on the scales of what folks think 702 could have or should have, or even Mila could have or should have done, let me tell you something I probably wouldn't be sitting here talking to you. I don't know where I would be. I'm just saying like I'm so grateful that I'm in my right mind and not somewhere strung out and not somewhere. You know, gosh, you know the accessibility of all the crap out there at such a young age the narcotics, the drugs, the sex drugs and rock and roll, as they say. My God, today, like yeah it was he had to.

Meelah: 28:10

I feel like he snatched me out like real quick.

Sanya: 28:12

Let me let me balance.

Meelah: 28:15

Like, let me, I'm going to continue to bless my daughter, but let me just pull her on in because I mean I probably could have been if it wasn't for my mother and grandmother's prayers. I probably would have been a wild child.

Sanya: 28:27

Yeah, you know, I say the same thing. When I found out no, a few years after my daughter was pregnant no, I think when she was a teenager I looked at her and I said she saved my life because had I not given birth to her, I probably would have been this wild child, listen.

Meelah: 28:45

I'm telling you, I was on my way, I was in my, I said I had my son at 31 and I think I was 30 when I when I got pregnant, and so yeah, like right at 29,. I was just wild out, oh yeah.

Sanya: 29:00

I was, I was. I was a senior in college, about to graduate, and you know college, you are really out there.

Meelah: 29:08

That baby grounded me.

Sanya: 29:10

Yeah, grounded me, but you know what? And on two occasions during this conversation you introduced your mother. You started talking about your mother and in preparing for this conversation, I was like, oh my gosh, that's something that we have in common, because I recently also lost my mom, I'm so sorry.

Meelah: 29:27

Oh, my goodness.

Sanya: 29:28

But I wanted to take the opportunity because I'm always thinking of ways of making sure that my mother's memory lives on and I see her living on in the way that I interact with my daughter. What subconscious ways do you find yourself mothering your son and you're looking at him like my mother used to do the same thing to me?

Meelah: 29:52

It's a little bit of everything. Oh gosh, yes, yes, I mean, first of all, I know if he could really talk, bless his heart. I know he, I'm sure he lets me have it in his head all the time. I know, I know I get on his nerves, without a shadow of a doubt. Just, I'm like a constant nitpick and I just can't help it. You know I'm wiping his face constantly. I'm making sure he's got, you know, moisturize on his elbows. I mean it's just every little thing. I'm like, lord, let me leave him alone, I can't even help it.

Meelah: 30:24

And my mom was saying what she wasn't, as you know, in my face, like that, but she was very vocal and you know she was very maternal. Zach was like her baby. I'm like my, you know, I know you, I know that's definitely your second, your third child that you never had. But I'm like grandma, like I got it. You know I mean I got it. No, let me do. You know it's grandma. So I'm like, okay, I see so much in myself from my mom, like Initially, you know I wanted to. I wouldn't try to like downplay it or deny it, but I mean, first of all, I look just like her. So I'm a twin, especially when, I put my glasses on, so it's scary.

Meelah: 31:05

Sometimes I'm looking like, oh my god, I look like that lady in this, like I mean, which is a beautiful thing, it's just a trip. You know genetics. But it's funny because, let me, she just recently told me. She said Gosh, I see so much of your mom in you now, because I was always the one in the group that was kind of quiet. It wouldn't say, you know, wouldn't speak up, scared to speak up, let me, she never had a problem speaking up. She was always bold and vocal and that's my mom. Mom was that way, no filter, you know. Just my mom too. Listen, just just say whatever, whatever, just not and not and not taking a bit like unapologetic about it, you know. And so now I finally have that.

Meelah: 31:46

It took me 40 plus years to get there, but I finally have that, that being a that strong Woman who is unafraid or unapologetic to speak my truth and to just and not this is not to be disrespectful to anyone in any way but to finally, especially in business, in a male-dominated business, be able to say, no, I'm not going for that, or no, I don't like it, or no, I refuse to do that. It took me a very long time to get there and I'm finally there and so so funny. Yeah, let me just own it. The other day, one of our other shows, she was just like gosh. I see Miss Marianne and you. She's like I'm so proud of you.

Sanya: 32:20

You know I'm fine. My mom transitioned. Now, when I look at myself, I'm seeing a lot of my mom and me as well. This is how the legacy and the memory lives on, so I just wanted to create a space here to let your mother's memory live on. Thank you. As I Spoke at my mom's funeral, that was the title of it, just being unapologetically black.

Meelah: 32:45

Oh, wow true definition. Look at that, yeah.

Sanya: 32:49

Have something in common, but you know. Successful Singer businesswoman. We are told that women can often have it all, but it also comes with sacrifices. As a successful woman who is also a mom, what sacrifices had have you had to make?

Meelah: 33:08

Oh, my goodness, um. So One of the main sacrifices I've made intentionally Was just, you know, kind of putting my career on the back burner and just kind of Choosing things here and there that I'll be a part of or that I'll do, and and Focus it on my son, raising my son, because although my mother moved here to help me with him, um, pretty much from the time that he was born or like when he was a really small child, I still Would make certain that I made time for my son, that I made certain that he knew that I was mom. And you know, even though my mom, like she held it down of course grandmas don't mind, but I never wanted her to. First of all, I'm like that that isn't her responsibility. She's here to help you, not to. You know, take your place. You know what I mean. So I would make sure that there was a time when I was going to the studio every night, gosh at like, um, I don't know after, after, after I picked him up from school and after, like, maybe, homework, um, and dinner, I go to the studio until like four in the morning and Got home, got a few hours of sleep and Was there to take him to school. That was my job, not my mom's. She would if I wanted her to, but I would never. That wasn't her responsibility, you know so, and that happened for like a whole year straight.

Meelah: 34:28

However, there were things that that I just put on pause. Um, I always tell people I was having this conversation the other day. I always tell people. I say, listen, when I realized that my son needed me as much as he does, I slowed all the way down. You know, um, I stopped running out, you know, trying to catch every audition and Running out trying to be a part of, you know, every event here in Atlanta. Because, you know, in Atlanta, honey, we have lord, every day is an event. They have something, says something every day, and everybody has a red, blue, white, green, pink carpet. It's always something happening.

Meelah: 35:03

Um, and I did that for a while and I got burnt out and I realized I'm like, listen, this is not even, this isn't even me anymore. It just doesn't even make sense. So I put a lot of things Off and just chose to just focus on my son, to really be that mother to him. So now I'm I mean, I'm back to work now. Um, you know, with 702, and we toured for a while, from like 2017 to 19, right before covid, but I slowed all the way down intentionally because I had to. I had to be there for my son, um, because his dad is also in the industry and we both travel so much, but I'm like one of us has to be his parent, you know, and you even asked to come here. Yeah, I'm a firm believer in that and so I chose to, you know, just kind of fall back a bit.

Sanya: 35:50

And you kind of wasted over. Your child's father is a music soul child, correct.

Meelah: 35:56

Yes, mm-hmm, so he's always busy as well, and so you know we try to do our best at balancing um Gosh career in raising Zach, co-parenting together, but it's, it's it's. It's not always easy, you know, but we've done a pretty good job of maintaining Um you know, the friendship and being able to sometimes still work together and still raise Zach. So sometimes, like when my mother was still alive, we were able to travel together and do things together. Um, but overall, like you know, he understands what I do for Zach and he appreciated so much. Like he knows that I go hard for Zach, like he knows that I'm, like I'm probably a little I'm sure he tells me, okay, I'm a little too overbearing, I know I am, but Me too, it's okay.

Meelah: 36:46

I can't help it. It's my only child, like I'm sorry.

Sanya: 36:49

Yeah, I always get one. I love on her every single day. I don't help it, I just walk by and touch her.

Meelah: 36:55

Yes, and my son now's 14. So he's like a moody. I'm about to go to ninth grade freaking. Oh, I pray for you high schooler and those vibes, oh, it's like oh, that attitude is a mess, but I don't care. I still grab him and hug him and kiss him. But yeah, his dad, his dad just looks to be, as he shakes his head, like, oh my god, more pop for son. But he appreciates it though, because he knows.

Sanya: 37:19

He does.

Meelah: 37:20

He knows that I could very well Just throw him off on someone you know and go hard in the paint to be this ferocious artist as well, but I've chosen not to even do that because I just I have a lot of mom guilt. I'm like I can't do it and I mean, and we talk about bringing him with us, so eventually he's just gonna be on the road with mom and dad, which makes the most sense, probably, anyway, right, um, because we just want to have our eyes on him, since my mom is no longer, you know, here. Um, you know, I'm just so overprotective, so it's just like, well, I guess you just got to come with me and daddy.

Sanya: 37:52

I get it and no, it's not. I love it. Keep on doing it. Love on your children. Let me tell you Life is too short. I don't this space that we're in. It's scary to me because people are here today and then gone by tonight. It's scary, so love on that you can and another way that you chose to love on zack. You pinned a children's book in honor of your son, zack.

Meelah: 38:19

Yes, favorite socks. Talk about that. I'm so excited about that. It was something that, um.

Meelah: 38:25

So I always kind of wanted to do something more for children other than just music. So I'm like, what else can I do? You know, um, I established the foundation. That's okay, that's cool. It's like not okay, like that, that's more than okay, it's awesome, it's it's nonprofit work, and so that was just really to raise awareness. So I was like, okay, but now what else can I do creatively? You know, um, and so I love rhyming books. You know, like dr Seuss cat and I love rhyming books. I always have. So I was like, well, I'm gonna write a rhyming book.

Meelah: 38:55

So zack loves collecting books. He has Tons of books but he does not like to read them, he just likes to look at the pictures. And, um, he doesn't even like me to read to the read read them anymore to him when he was smaller. But you know, as we said, he's 14 and moody, so he'd be looking at me like, don't touch my books, leave them where they are and don't try to read them to me. He's so funny.

Meelah: 39:17

But, um, I was thinking like you know what I think it'd be really cool to add to his collection, like a book that is mom wrote. That mommy wrote, you know, and this character is based on him. Um, I wanted to be a series. I'm gonna do another one and it's really just to kind of introduce Autism. I didn't really speak about it in this book specifically yet, um, but I want and this character actually is verbal, you know, it's kind of the opposite of my son, but, as we know, autism is a broad spectrum. So, um, I want to, you know, do another one, a continuation, and kind of like a series, and then another, um, children's album to kind of go alongside it and, you know, just something to hopefully Create for other parents with with kids on the spectrum or just special needs, children who enjoy Hearing books, who enjoy reading books not like my son, but who could be like my son who just like to collect them and keep them in order and systematic order.

Sanya: 40:12

Yes, um but let me, this is so necessary Mila Let me just tell you, this is definitely going to leave another one of your footprints. In this light, what most people don't know is I'm also an educator. I've been an educator for 20 plus years. Thank you, director of my high school working with special needs children. Thank you, the lack of awareness that's out there. It is staggering that these concerns or development delays in children. It didn't just start yesterday, but the information sources are so limited that parents don't really know how to tap into it. So you have just really, really helped another population of people and you don't even know it. So I need to tell you. Well, thank you that you are helping people. I was in my school. I work at a high school. I went there and I said listen, if you have any small children, please join this organization called Proud. Here is information resources that you need. Someone who looks like us, yes.

Meelah: 41:21

I know it's mind blowing. I'm still learning every day, you know. But what I have learned in my 14 years of dealing with this with Zach, it's ever changing, you know. They change as they get older. Sometimes they make progress, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they make progress and then regress and then, you know, it's a daily back and forth, you know, with children on the spectrum.

Meelah: 41:46

But, as you mentioned, even if these children, even if they're not on the autism spectrum, there are developmental delays which constitute to learning disabilities, which equate to IEPs, and we don't all know our parental rights and we don't all understand, you know, what we can add or subtract from these IEPs, these individualized educational plans for our children. We have the right I'm still learning but I know that there's a lot of times especially, like you said, folks that look like us we get overlooked or we get, you know, hushed as the parents. They just wanna, you know, they just want to move on and get your child through the day and they don't feel like taking the time out to really get to the bottom of what it is that your child's strengths and or weaknesses are. They will help them to have a more helpful, calming experience while they're at school, you know what I mean Like it's stressful for those babies.

Meelah: 42:46

My son is not severe, but he's not mild either. You know he's out here, I don't know about in Vegas or where you're in Vegas right yet.

Sanya: 42:56

I don't know about how?

Meelah: 42:57

Oh, okay, why don't? I think I just swear, everybody's from Vegas. Okay, I know it's different everywhere here in Georgia there's different levels. So he's like ASD two, level two, and so he's not fully dependent on an adult, but he's not fully independent.

Meelah: 43:16

You know he's not fully cold dependent and not fully independent. So he still needs a lot of help. But he's come a long way, but we're still having to gosh do so many things. He's 14, but he still has to be prompted for a lot of things. Most things, you know, he still is developmentally in terms of his comprehension on a maybe third grade level. Maybe depends Gosh.

Meelah: 43:42

So it's just, it's interesting to say the least of how these educational institutions, you know they marginalize our special education children. Yeah, and we don't have a large voice. And Georgia, though I will say the reason I am still here is because they do offer a lot for children on the special men, for special needs kids. There are a lot of great programs out here and they are free. They are. We've never even we've never been in a tuition based school and I mean I'm shocked to even say that out loud, but that's how God works, cause I didn't even know how much I was gonna be and I ended up living right around the corner.

Meelah: 44:33

I moved here from California and literally right around the corner from my house is this regular elementary school, just a normal elementary. But they had a program for pre-K kids who were not diagnosed with autism yet but were just developmentally delayed, with three and four year olds who knew? And my child was, you know, we hadn't even gotten diagnosed yet but he could go to this elementary school right around the corner at three years old because he has some delays. And I was doing research and I realized I'm like, oh, I'm gonna, I'm the whole cluster where the elementary, the middle school and the pre and the high school that he'll be going to all have special like well, we know they all have special education but all have courses for children on the spectrum from K yes, from K through 12. And the curriculum is great and it's in a great area. And I was just like, look at like, how did that happen?

Sanya: 45:39

Nothing but what I'm telling you. But you bring up a very good point, because I had to do the same thing when my daughter was a little bit in elementary school. I had taken her out of private school, but I always wanted to move to a neighborhood or area that had resources for free, Instead of paying this tuition. It's there, it's available. People just have to do research. So I just wanted to, you know, just make sure that I magnify that point to parents out there who are looking for services for their children. Oftentimes you don't have to pay for it.

Meelah: 46:13

Do your research, it is they just don't want us to find. It takes time, they don't? You have to be diligent.

Sanya: 46:21

Yeah.

Meelah: 46:22

It takes time and it does get overwhelming. It does get tedious and tiring and frustrating for parents, especially if you're a new parent. You know, when I was a new parent, gosh I had, I had. No, there's no guidebook for any of us.

Meelah: 46:35

But you know, I'm just like Googling and Googling and Googling and researching, researching, researching, and sometimes you do have to dig deep to find those grants and those scholarships you know, or for, maybe, the schools that are tuition based, because, hey, maybe there isn't anything in your area that's free and or that is, you know, conducive to the betterment of your child's development. So maybe you do have to go somewhere, that where you have to pay. But, gosh man, it's really. It's so layered. It is because they're also different and all of our children need different things.

Meelah: 47:15

I know, like in my son's school, they do, you know, autism, those who are like advanced, you know, like my son is not high-functioning, high-mainten I'm thinking about his mother, sorry, Just kidding High-functioning but they have like all different levels. And then they have kids who are Downs. You know, with Down syndrome, they have that their program there as well. It's just really cool, man, to see the breakdown. They offer all the therapies but, like with my son, it's cool that they offer therapy at school, but he needs more therapy, you know. So I have to go outside of school and do both and do the private therapies as well. Just do your research. If you can get on state-funded, you know things in your state and cities or where have you like.

Meelah: 48:04

Medicaid like yes, apply for all of those things. Don't be ashamed to do it. You know it's our children's rights and they can have these things. They can have what's due to them. Like, I had to learn that the hard way, like the social security and all that type of stuff. You know it's. I had a woman tell me. She told me it there, but she said I'm gonna be honest, we don't know about these programs. She was a black woman and she said I probably shouldn't be saying this to you because I work here. She said but I see a lot of white families and parents come in who are well to do and they get all this help. You know they apply for these certain waivers and these certain things and they get these.

Meelah: 48:52

You know all of these special, just different types of programs that they get, like discounts and you know all of these different and it's sad because those families that do really need these types of resources and help we either don't know about it or we just give up so easily, because they do make it hard sometimes.

Sanya: 49:15

Yeah.

Meelah: 49:17

They do.

Sanya: 49:18

So if people aren't able to find resources on their own, I do want to point them in your direction, your organization Proud, which stands for parents reaching out to understand developmental delays. Yes, how can they join?

Meelah: 49:36

So right now Proud has a Facebook page, the Proud Inc on Facebook, and it's really just. You can go on there and inbox me, I'll check it and I read them and I definitely try and get back to everybody. The thing with Proud is that when I started it I was so active and there was a vigor in me to really just be a voice for parents who didn't have a voice, especially because at the time I was doing reality TV and I was so just kind of I wasn't sure I wanted to share my story because that's sacred, it's very private, it's your child. But I'm so happy that I did because I ended up getting all this new traffic of mothers, young mothers who have children on the spectrum. But when I tell you, I learned from them and they motivated me because their parents out there have not one I only have one but two and three children on the spectrum and I didn't even know that that was possible, man. And so I established Proud to just be a voice and they said thank you just for using your platform just to be a voice for those of us that don't have a voice.

Meelah: 50:51

So Zach was really little and I had done a few concerts and a few of my musical peers came and we did some fundraising and, like I said, one of them being Donella at one of them and something I did for parents like a mixer to just let your hair down after five for especially these parents, it was so cool. But I haven't done any events in a while because, I'll be honest, I went through a hard time. I went through a hard time for a while. This is my child walking in. It got things, got real, it got tough. It got tough and his dad and I separated and I was a single mom, thank God.

Meelah: 51:35

I had my mom, but it just got hard and so, ok, thank you, zach, you can turn it off. You can hang up. I just kind of gave up. Thank you, closer to her, but.

Sanya: 51:49

I love seeing all of this. I love to see you. I'm looking at him like oh child.

Meelah: 51:55

This is what I'm up to you off with the iPad, but I understand what was just happening. That was my sister's voice. This is the IT call, because IT can't get through. She's trying to figure out what is your mother. She's just making sure everything's good. We're good over here. Yes, she knows I do interviews and stuff here and there, but if she can't reach me she'll FaceTime. It takes a village.

Meelah: 52:15

So, yeah, anyway, I got discouraged and that's not to discourage anyone, but I just like to be as transparent as possible Because I don't want to be up here Like it's so easy, because it's not always easy. It gets tough and I got a little discouraged episode, but I'm back now. I'm rejuvenated. So Proud is going to do some great things in the future. We're planning to do Proud in the park here in Georgia at some point, and I have some folks out in Vegas that I've been consulting with to do something grand in Las Vegas, my hometown for special needs, because I haven't done that and they deserve it. So at least we're starting with the book. I'm going to be in Vegas this fall and I'm going to do I've done so far book signing in Tampa, florida, here in Atlanta, of course, and then Vegas is up next, so I'm really excited about that.

Sanya: 53:07

So where can people purchase the book Zach's?

Meelah: 53:10

book. Yes, thank you in advance for those that have already purchased. Thank you all so much for the support. So it's only online right now, but it will be in stores. When I do in stores they're always in store for me to sign for you a signed copy. But you can go to BarnesandNovelscom and purchase it online and also, of course, amazon. I know we've got some primers out there who love their Amazon, so it's also on Amazon. But you have to on Amazon. You have to type it in Zach's favorite socks book. Got it, zach's favorite socks book on Amazon. So it's on Amazoncom Zach's favorite socks book and BarnesandNovelscom and type in Zach's favorite socks.

Sanya: 53:52

Yes, got it, got it, got it. Well, everyone, make sure that you go out online and purchase Zach's favorite socks, and if you're looking for more information a village, a people, a parent who are navigating the world of mothering or parenting a child with developmental delays please make sure that you reach out to Proud on Facebook. What's up next with 702? One quick question too Is Irish still in the group, because I've seen you performing, but I haven't seen her performing with you.

Meelah: 54:25

Yes, unfortunately, irish is not well right now. She's trying to deal with some personal issues. She's not in a hospital or anything like that. She just needed to take a break. Take a moment. She's not replaced. She's not out of the group. There is no replacement. I'm not into that. I just always, especially at this age and stage in life, I always feel like there can never be another, either one of us. We've been doing this too long. Yeah, yeah. So she's not out of the group, that's for certain. She's kind of good.

Meelah: 54:58

She's just kind of taking a mental health break. That's what I mean when I say not well, just kind of dealing with some mental health, wanting to rejuvenate.

Sanya: 55:04

It happens and I'm glad Listen.

Meelah: 55:06

You heard what I just said it definitely happens. I'm like I wasn't well for a minute. I needed to take a break and sit down and put Proud on pause.

Sanya: 55:14

I'm being a real mom. You have to do that from time to time. You have to disconnect and make sure that your mental space is healthy enough so that you can show up successfully. But the fans were here for it. They were cheering you on when you were performing at Carnegie Hall recently.

Meelah: 55:30

Yes, it was so awesome. Thank you. Yes, it was, man, I'm still pinching myself. That was a pinch me moment for sure. I was just like Carnegie Hall is such a huge deal to me, that's a career highlight. I'm underrated where, excuse me.

Sanya: 55:46

I was just at.

Meelah: 55:47

Carnegie Hall.

Sanya: 55:49

One of my friends, that's huge.

Meelah: 55:52

We weren't even allowed to perform there as Black folks right At that point. So that to me resonated. I'm like my grandmother and my mother watching me from heaven and all of our ancestors, like Brown Me, chocolate Brown Me is on the stage. It was awesome, that was so fun. And we did Usher's Lovers and Friends Festival, which is super huge as well, and I mean, this is only his second year doing it and we were invited this year and, gosh, the turnout was so awesome. Oh my gosh. That was just. It was amazing just to see all those people out there that they showed up for us and they knew all the lyrics and they were on their feet. It was just. It's a great feeling.

Sanya: 56:39

Let me I have a message for you, because one of my friends she was seated in the audience at Carnegie Hall and when she found out that I was having a conversation with you today, she said please tell Mila that she gave me life.

Meelah: 56:52

Thank you. Time says thank you, girl, because I was stressed out leading up to it. I was so nervous.

Sanya: 56:59

She was just like you. Look amazing You're outfit, Thank you.

Meelah: 57:04

There's such a backstory with all that. But thank you so much. We believe it's in the closet. Gosh, I'm like if these people knew the behind the scenes woo, thank you, thank you, tell your friend. Thank you so much. That makes me feel so great because it was. You know, as females we go through a lot Just trying to prepare for things and you know, I recently just I'm coming out of a really dark place from losing my mother and gosh, I just I had a hard time at the top of the year. So now, with God blessing me with all of these blessings, with 702 being super busy, and I just I'm so grateful. You know, I'm grateful to God because I know it's him and my mom up there like, all right, let me put her on the road, back on the road.

Meelah: 57:50

So, sarah, thank you honey, I'm trying to continue to get my life.

Sanya: 57:56

Yes, you have another angel that is standing right beside you, rooting you on and, you know, continuing to help God order your steps. So, thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being authentic, thank you for being unapologetically true, thank you for sharing your challenges with us, because we need to show the world that we, as women, sometimes we could take off the cape. We're real, we have real issues, but yet and still, you know, we have to rest for a moment and then we can get right back in the race.

Meelah: 58:31

That's right. That's right and that's what our sister, irish, is doing. She's just taking a pause and get right back in the race, you know, and that's necessary. And just so y'all know, for the record, she is not out of the group. I want to make that clear. And if you do see a temporary replacement, that's what it would be Temporary, but right now, like we are so good, lemisha and I are grateful that we're able to do it, you know, with just the two of us, and we pray that we can continue and we're just happy that y'all are happy to see us.

Meelah: 58:59

You know, we just want to bless the people.

Sanya: 59:02

Yeah, blessing the people. You are so like. I had a story about my friend in the audience at Carnegie Hall my daughter and I, who's 28,. We are blasting your music, Thank you. She also wanted me to tell you hello. You've touched so many people, Mila, and I really just want you to understand that. Give me blessings, my sister. You are absolutely amazing.

Meelah: 59:25

Thank you so much. Thank you so much. I needed you today. Thank you, I really did, I still, and God bless you, because this grief thing I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, I would not wish this thing on anyone. So God bless you and condolences again. Thank you, yes.

Sanya: 59:45

You take care and continue blessing.

Meelah: 59:48

Thank you, same to you. Yes, being that my son has barged in my room, I guess that's my cue. And wait a minute, that's what mommy gets, because I usually lock the door when I'm doing interviews. I forgot today, anywho, but yes, thank you so much. I appreciate you. Thanks for your time. Thank you.

Sanya: 1:00:04

Bye-bye, bye. Amazing, amazing conversation. I loved it. I absolutely love talking to individuals who aren't afraid to have real conversations. I'm struggling, I'm in the middle of mourning. I needed to take a mental break. I needed to sit down. I was navigating through some issues. I broke up with my man, but you know, we're still parenting.

Sanya: 1:00:36

I love that she shared it all with us, because these are the type of conversations that we need to hear, and this is the purpose of Sonia Onier to unpack celebrity pivotal moments and milestones, and she unpacked them all. Oftentimes, as celebrities, you look at them and you just see them performing for you on television or on the movie screens, or you hear their music coming through the speakers when you're in the car or in your home, and you kind of dehumanize them, as if they don't have any feelings, as if they are so far removed from the human experience. Like us, they put on their pants the same way you and I do, one leg at a time. So this is why you all need to stay tuned into Sonia Onier, so that you can understand these celebrities a lot better. I'm having the conversations that a lot of platforms aren't, or sometimes even the celebrities aren't even starting themselves, because sometimes you all ain't even checking for it. You want something that's salacious, and this is not what we do here at Sonia Onier. So do me a favor once again make sure that you subscribe to Sonia Onier, which streams across every major streaming platform. If you are watching this on YouTube, not only subscribe, but make sure that you hit the notification button and you saw the commercials previously.

Sanya: 1:02:01

If you're looking to promote your brand on a digital billboard, make sure that you email me at SoniaOniernet looking for some amazing merchandise. Sonia Onier has some empowering merchandise for you. Make a statement, you don't have to talk. The clothing will speak for itself. So make sure that you look for the Sonia Onier merch in the description section of this episode and get your shop on. What else do I have? So I talked about the billboard, I talked about the Sonia Onier merch. Also, shop Instacart using the special Sonia Onier link, and I think that's all that I have for you.

Sanya: 1:02:43

You know I have some other questions planned for Mila, but intentionally I said let me just let this conversation just take on a life of its own. I said God just use me, god just use me. And I'm glad to say that I had a very nice conversation. So 702 is here to stay. 20-something years in the game, growing women like me are still singing the songs. Our children are singing the songs. You're making these videos on TikTok. Keep this group alive and well so that the generations coming up next they can also enjoy the music of 702, because you don't know the pain that I feel Second time in the show. Anyway, this has been another amazing edition of Sonia Onier. Thank you so much for tuning in Smooches dolls, take care.