Shanika Williams

Obituary

Shanika Denice Williams, affectionately known as Ni-Ni and ShiShiNi (shee-shee-NEE), departed this life suddenly on the morning of Sunday, July 12, 2020.

The youngest child of James and Sharron Stewart, Shanika was born on October 31,1991 in Southeast Washington, DC and lived in DC for her entire life. Her name was placed on the roll at the United House of Prayer for All People at birth. She was educated in DC Public Schools, attending Anthony Bowen ES, Jefferson JHS, and Wilson SHS. As a lover of all things fashion and beauty, Shanika enrolled in the American Beauty Academy and successfully completed her studies in 2011. She then worked her craft at local salons, including Wanda’s on 7th, Hair Cuttery, and her most recent salon, Drybar.

Through her commitment to living out her dreams, Shanika referred to herself as “Da Hood Model,” and lived up to that moniker with her unique style of dress, flamboyantly long eyelashes, and frequent hairstyle changes. Determined to beautify others inside and outside of the salon chair, Shanika recently established her own business called ShiShiNi Collection, selling custom-made wigs and mink lashes.

Shanika was also active in her place of worship, the United House of Prayer for All People. Over the past decade, she served on such auxiliaries as the Madison Starlettes, the Bailey Willing Workers, the Bailey Voices of Salvation, and the Young Adult Choir. She also marched with the Showgirls of the Madison Sunrise Marching Band during the UHOP’s annual Memorial Parade. She also frequently sang with her sisters and her mother during musical programs.

A creative at heart, Shanika was equally passionate about music. As such, she channeled her clever usage of language and her sassy attitude into hip-hop and began recording music as ”ShiShiNi.” Her single and video, “All I Need is Me” ended up on streaming services such as Spotify and YouTube in 2019. Her star continued to rise with the subsequent release of the singles “I’ma Shine” and “3x,” as well as her features on collaborative tracks such as “Soufside.”

Above all else, her greatest success and gift was motherhood. She welcomed her son, Amel, in 2012, and her daughter, Amiera, in 2017. Shanika adored being a mother and was rarely seen without her two babies. She was just beginning to live out her wildest dreams as a recording artist and business owner when her life was tragically cut short. Despite this, Shanika fulfilled her earthly mission of self-discovery and love and selflessly shared it through the countless lives she touched. Her gift of vision in seeing the beauty in others and breathing life into it is the gem and the light that connects us to her immortal spirit.

Shanika’s legacy lives on in her two children, Amel and Amiera, her parents, James and Sharron Stewart, sisters, Shavon, Keyiana, Nikea, and Raquel, her brothers, James, Ravon, and Shawn; grandmother, Florence Norman, grandfather, James “Jiddy” Williams; aunts, Sharise, Janice, and Christine; uncles, Sean and Thurmus (AKA “Man”); nieces, Zoe and JaQuel; nephews, Akari, Antwaun Jr., Davon, Jayceon, James III, and Shawn Jr., and many cousins and friends who loved her dearly. May her light continue to shine brightly through all of us!!!