Chenese Lewis is a blessing and inspiration to many women. She is an epitome of a real woman. I have just learned of her when I checked through the internet to see what Miss Plus America Pageant is all about. She joined the historic Miss Plus America Pageant in 2003 and became the first woman crowned Miss Plus America. From there she has grown to become a good actress, and highly in demand host, keynote speaker, expert commentator and plus size advocate.

She became one of the most successful queens in the Miss Plus America Pageant System. For her excellent performance in the area of positive body image, she was crowned Miss Plus America Lifetime, the most prestigious lifetime achievement award.

Ms. Lewis is a native of Louisiana, the only child born to Willie D. Lewis and Tharis Lewis on November 14 in Baton Rouge. She is an alumna of McKinley Senior High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She majored English at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

I am awed at the success of Ms. Lewis. I find no words good enough to describe her. Ms. Lewis’ resume enumerates her long list of accomplishments and present undertakings. You may visit her at her official website at cheneselewis.com.  As an actress she has done several projects under different roles on film, television, and commercial. Her comedic skills has made B.E.T.’s “Hell Date” a number one show. Her hosting jobs in several radio and TV programs include On Air, Plus Model Radio, Curvy TV Girl, and Shout Out. She hosts live events like Hollywood NOW (National Organization for Women) Love Your Body Day, A Decade of Fashion Delights Charity Fashion Show, NAFFA Convention Fashion Show, Red Carpet Curves Fashion Show and Miss Plus Top Model Awards.

She is a Media Spokesperson in the Love Your Body Project. As an expert commentator, her numerous television appearances include the famous Dr. Phil and The Insider. She has done several speaking/hosting and lecture engagements at various prestigious events, workshops and seminars.

In April 2008, she was chosen as a celebrity face for SizeAppeal. She has modeled in many companies like Torrid, Kmart and other prestigious fashion outfits and magazines through prints/internet, films, fashion shows, and trade shows.  She was also featured in Figure Magazine.

Ms. Lewis did not limit herself from just being an actress, model, host and speaker. She is the Chief Executive Officer for Chenese Lewis Productions, LLC a media company created in 2007 based on the principal that “you don’t have to be a size 0 to be beautiful.” She had created the HollyWood NOW’s Love Your Body Day, an annual event where women of all sizes come together to celebrate a day of self-acceptance to promote positive body image, and  Plus Model Radio, the number one podcast for plus size women. She did not just model in the 2008 Flawless Calendar, but executive produced it as well. It is the very first of its kind, featuring curvaceous models from all different ethnicities, shapes and sizes.

More than just a celebrity, Ms. Lewis has a plus size heart for women. She finds joy in empowering women to embrace their curves and feel confident in their color.  She conveys that a curvy size 22 can be as sexy as a size 2, especially when a woman feels great about how she looks.  She is one of the living proofs that beauty comes in all colors, shapes and sizes.  Her positive outlook as a plus size woman allows her to connect to real women around the world.

As she carries her career, she has set a good example that your circumstance as a plus size woman will never hinder you to fulfill your ambitions. She is not intimidated by the dictate of the society’s ideals of beauty. She had set her goals according to her terms, and not on what the society dictates.  It is not surprising that in December 2007 she was labeled by the Plus Size Model Magazine as “A Leader in the Curvy Revolution.”

I affirm with her that beauty comes only when you first “love your body” and when there is “self acceptance”.  I cannot expect anyone to approve of  me, unless I approve of myself.  I believe that body image can only improve if we think that we are God’s unique creation, fearfully and wonderfully woven with a purpose.  We are unique from the rest of mankind, with unique  gifts and attributes.   Remember, the most important approval that we get is the one that comes from our own Creator.   So live and enjoy life according to his purpose.