This episode host Markivus Nious interviews singer, producer, songwriter, and stylist who's worked with Icon Stevie Wonder for 10 years, Bonita Mitchell. We also feature two singles off of her latest releases at the end of the show.

About Bonita Mitchell

For Bonita Mitchell, it all started on McAfee Hill in Eau Claire, Michigan where she was number five in a string of seven children belonging to Pastor Fletcher and Alice McAfee. As children, she and her siblings spent countless hours squirming on the first row of the church pew. There, in church, she began her singing career while anxiously observing the grace of her mother, Alice McAfee, a powerful gospel singer. At the age of five, she began singing in youth choirs mimicking her mom and sister, singing hit songs by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. By the age of seven, she was an invited, celebrated guest artist at churches all over the City. Bonita was well on her way to becoming a recording artist. Yet, she struggled with her self-esteem. Her way of escape came from listening to and learning from every Stevie Wonder song she could learn. She became a consummate lead singer and songwriter all over the region.

By the time she finished college at the age of 22, she was singing Stevie Wonder and Anita Baker songs with passion and control. However, Mitchell’s early experiences left a deep fissure in her heart, and a burning desire to help others overcome their insecurities. She later relocated to Los Angeles and began working in the Fashion Industry as a fashion stylist/shopper, merchandiser, and sales representative at the prestigious California Mart. Yet, she continued to develop her passion for helping others and overcoming self-doubt through songwriting, singing, and producing. Bonita co-founded the singing group R.A.R.E. (Rebuilding Awareness Reaffirming Education) where she was able to address social issues through music in school and communities. Within a short time, the group was performing up and down the state of California while Bonita was continuing to use her knowledge of wardrobe to bring out the beauty in people of all ages. It was her passion for styling and being a personal shopper that allowed her to meet Lula Mae Hardaway, the mother of the legendary Stevie Wonder, her long-time idol. Ms. Hardaway was so excited about the work she was doing for her. She was compelled to recruit her services for her son. This lasted 10 years as Stevie Wonder’s wardrobe specialist, along with his Design Team, Bonita spent years traveling the world on tour with him all while developing her singing, writing, and producing skills as his protégé.

Bonita has a sultry, anointed, and powerful sound that moves you to your core. Her most requested cover songs are “ The Battle,” by Yolanda Adams and “Rainbow by Vicki Winans. She has shared the stage with National Recording artists such as Shawnice Wilson, Melvin & Doug Williams of the famed William Brothers, and AL Mac Wil on the 40th Anniversary of BET’s, Bobby Jones Gospel to name a few.

Some of the highlights of her singing career have been appearances with the students from the combined I’M Saving Myself and Musication Choirs on Good Morning America, Stevie Wonder House Full of Toys in Los Angeles, and the South Western Michigan Christmas Orchestra at Lake Michigan College, all to packed houses.

Bonita is not just an artist but a tool for change in the lives of youth and young adults through her I’m Saving Myself Prevention Program, a 501C3 organization. It was birthed in 1998 after a tragic suicide of a popular, young basketball star back in Eau Claire, her hometown. Bonita is a rare artist who has chosen to use her amazing gifts of vocal training, singing, writing, producing, and teaching to impact the lives of youth and their families in schools and communities all across America. “I’m Saving Myself,” has become the Anthem and the vehicle for change for hurting youth through music and performing arts. I’m Saving Myself along with Thread of Hope Records has been used to ignite hope in a hopeless generation, and give them a place of confidence and sustainability. Mitchell has written and produced two CDs under the Thread of Hope Record label. Her debut album titled “It Is Well With My Soul” was released in 2010, and it pays homage to the rich history of Gospel music with Hymns; she released original music on her follow-up release “Cherish Your Life,” a prevention and healing CD. Her upcoming project “Let This Mind Be In Me,” is scheduled to be released on all digital platforms in the Spring of 2021.

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