Today we’d like to introduce you to Misha’el Elie.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started Moms in The Industry close to the end of 2015. It is a pending non-profit organization set to help mothers and families in the freelance and entertainment field. I was working on production when I was abruptly let go because I was pregnant. There are no rules set in place to protect me because when you work in production you are generally a 1099 employee. I also found that there is no information given to you to tell you what you need to do as a freelance employee to receive maternity leave from the state as a freelance employee. This caused a heavy struggle and stress in the middle of my pregnancy. When I spoke to production the person who let me go ended up finding me employment somewhere else and when she ultimately moved on from the production, I was asked to return where I finished out the season. It was a traumatic experience but I am a positive boisterous person that likes to stand up for what’s right. This prompted me to start the Moms In The Industry to be the voice of the many mothers in entertainment when they feel silenced.
As a mother in the industry, I parent two children with my husband, photographer Luc-Richard Elie. As a blended family, we have a 17yr old son, Xavier Patterson, our two-year-old daughter, and were expecting our 3rd.
On February 7th, 2019 our world changed as we know it. Our son Xavier Patterson made the unfortunate decision to end his life. This is a day that will be imprinted in our hearts and lives forever. As students, teachers, friends, homeless, and the community reached out to us to express their condolences we have come to learn more about our son in an extraordinary way. We noticed what every parent hopes to find, that what we had taught him seemed to be coming to fruition and he was able to touch many regardless of their circumstance. He had a way of making everyone feel special.
Xavier was the star of the North Hollywood basketball team and known very well in the Southern California circuit of high school basketball. What people didn’t know was that prior to living with his father and me, he suffered childhood trauma which caused PTSD. Xavier had many battles he was facing as most teens and people do, in general. Because of his mental health challenges, he was not able to process things clearly and ultimately made the wrong decision to end his life.
His father and I, with the help of some very close friends, started The X Factor Foundation in his memory. Our goal and mission is to help teens to have a safe place to get support, and not in a cliche type of way, but in the way that they need to know they are not alone. People need to know that you won’t give up on them and that most importantly they are not alone. Mental health is a taboo topic within our society and it is so hush-hush that we as a society have unconsciously made it something that people can’t talk about. If we do not openly discuss depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal attempts then people are not going to want to seek help. We are looking to change that and help people focus on what the reality is, our teens in this community and others need help.
On February 15th we had our second tragedy, I suffered a miscarriage the day before our sons funeral. Miscarriage is also something that we don’t talk about as a community. Women often blame themselves in these situations. They don’t know where to turn for help. I was no different. We are not just mourning one child but we are mourning two. Though I know there are people out there who have had an incredible amount of loss, more than I have ever encountered, I know the grief I feel and my family feels is real and change is needed. We must pay attention to how mothers are treated in the workplace, how miscarriage is silenced within the community and how mental health especially when it comes to our youth is silenced. We need this so that pain can be eased so that voices can be heard, and so that those who feel alone can know unequivocally that they are indeed not alone. I am proud to have created these initiatives with my husband and pray that with the help of others they make the impact that is so desperately needed.
Has it been a smooth road?
Creating these organizations has been relatively smooth on both accounts. People have really shown that they want to be a part of these movements. The challenges that I have faced have really been tackling something new. I’ve never run a nonprofit before so I am learning but that’s the beauty about being passionately involved with something. You make mistakes, you learn from them, and you move forward bigger and better than you started out. This whole process has been emotional and enlightening at the same time. I know that I can’t stop now even if I wanted to. Lives are already being changed. Hope is already being passed out. Who am I to stop something so much bigger than myself?
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The X Factor Foundation and Moms In The Industry story. Tell us more about it.
I am an entertainer. An actor, producer, singer, writer, mother, and wife. I created the IMC Presents: Moms In The Industry web series on youtube. I have starred in a few national commercials and have been featured on television shows. I have written for artists and have produced as well as co-produced several projects including live stage performances.
I am most proud when things come together and people feel inspired. To think I am someone who was blessed to spark creativity in another or have someone feel something special makes me feel like I am fulfilling a purpose in life. Through Moms In the Industry and The X Factor Foundation, we hope to change more lives, inspire more people and affect change.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
My childhood played an incredible role in what I am currently pursuing. I had hard-working parents. I have always had compassion for people and was taught as a young child to do so. I also had my own challenges as a teen of wanting to fit in without conforming and figuring out how to handle teenage love.
Having a better understanding of life today I feel more equipped to guide others in a way. I also always had a flair for the arts. My parents made sure I had many experiences, i.e. trips overseas, attending the opera, seeing humanity by helping others etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TheXFactorFoundation.org and www.MomsInTheIndustry.com
- Email: info@thexfactorfoundation and [email protected]
- Instagram: @thexfactorfoundation and @momsintheindustry
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheXFactorFoundation and www.facebook.com/momsintheindustry
- Twitter: @IAM_THEXFACTOR and @momsinindustry
- Other: www.IamMishael.com
Image Credit:
Luc-Richard Elie
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