February 12, 2019
HannahJoyTV – Artist Tseganesh “Gracie” Gebresilassie, known as Tsega Beloved on stage, shares her journey of overcoming a mental health battle and using art as a tool to inspire. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Gracie is a Gates Millennium Scholar, community organizer and a proud daughter of Ethiopian immigrants.
During the fall of 2017, Gracie launched her first music project, Happy Tears, and coordinated a successful art exhibition/open-mic night in Los Angeles. Immediately after, the unexpected unfolded and she experienced a life-changing episode of psychosis that sent her to the hospital. She was a junior studying Design and Fine Arts at the University of Southern California at the time. Soon after, Gracie was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 and took a break from school/art projects to focus on her health. She persevered then returned healthier and stronger in the fall of 2018. In this episode of Journey Time, we see how the 21-year-old bounced back and offers words of encouragement to anyone experiencing their own battle. While things are still a work in progress, she shares how her faith and hope keep her going. Today, Gracie is pursuing her studies, creating more art and fiercely owning her bipolar condition while shining her light in this world. Watch this inspiring episode below! (And yes, Gracie and Hannah are siblings.)
Click below to watch!
More about Gracie: “East Atlanta-born poet and rapper of Ethiopian descent, Tsega is a shorthand for “Tseganesh” which means “grace” in the native Amharic language. Born Tseganesh Gebresilassie, Tsega Beloved uses poetic storytelling blended with eclectic beats to paint a picture of her experiences and ideas. In November, 2017, Tsega released her first mixtape, Happy Tears, featuring production by longtime friends Bran Movay and LaynoProd. While she is not making music, Tsega studies Design and Fine Arts at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA, as a Gates Millennium Scholar. She credits her development as an artist to her time in university where she met many of the artists and vocalists featured in her music.”
To connect with Gracie, aka Tsega Beloved, and keep up with her art and music, follow her here:
Website: www.tsegabeloved.com
Instagram: @tsegabeloved
Twitter: @tsegabeloved
Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/tsegabeloved
Feature photo taken by @JOYOFODU – We see you shining, queen. Keep it going!
A message from Hannah, Gracie’s older sister: Gracie, my sunshine, I’m so proud of you and everything you overcame. You are an inspiration to so many of us. The fam will always be in your corner cheering you on. Thank you for being the woman you are in this world. Love you and “berechi,” keep going!
Wow! I’m proud of what Grace did. It’s a lesson to be taught for many others, who are or will be in this battle. Tseganesh (Grace) is smart, strong, hardworking, visionary and beautiful, so far I knew her as she was a small kid. Grace you are our community pride, keep advancing the sky is the limit!