2020 was a year that will never be forgotten. From a deadly pandemic to a global movement for racial justice, and a record-breaking hurricane season, it seemed like an endless stream of bad news. Despite all the obstacles 2020 presented, it wasn’t completely awful. Chenese was able to pivot, adjust to the new normal, and still thrive in uncertain times.
As the coronavirus pandemic forced millions to adhere to shelter-in-place, events transitioned from face-to-face to virtual. This year marked Chenese’s 20th career anniversary in entertainment and the plus size industry, but her plans to commemorate the milestone had to shift into a virtual press tour. She was interviewed by many media outlets including The Curvy Fashionista, Volupt2 Magazine (France), Queen Size Magazine, Slink Magazine (UK), Theories and Thoughts Podcast, Sheen Magazine, FabUplus Magazine (Canada), So Empowered Magazine, Podcast Magazine, Baton Rouge Business Report, The Philadelphia Sunday Sun, and more. She received praise for her contributions in helping bring plus size representation to the forefront.
PLUS Model Magazine’s feature stated “To say that Chenese Lewis is one of the top plus size trailblazers of the 21st Century is an understatement.” and Chenese was dubbed “One Of The Original Plus-Size Influencers” by Forbes.
She was also interviewed on several Instagram Live shows such as FabUplus Magazine’s The Curvy Couch, The Goddess Life with Tomiko Fraser Hines, Dia&Co’s Nadia Plus, and a conversation with photojournalist Jovanna Reyes sponsored by Bandelettes.
Prior to the shutdown, she returned as a judge for Baton Rouge Fashion Week’s annual model search and saw over 100 models vying for a spot to walk the runway, her company was also an official sponsor of the event. Chenese was honored at the Empowered Diva Awards, which streamed during a virtual ceremony. She went on to participate in various virtual events. Chenese moderated a panel discussion entitled “In Living Color: YouTube, Podcasts, & Online Content” for the Mid City Micro-Con, hosted by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library System. She also moderated the “Fashion Panel” during the Black Women In Media Virtual Conference And Awards. She was a panelist for Afros And Audios Virtual Podcast Festival “When, Where and How To Begin Your Podcast” panel and for Women In Film & Television Louisiana’s “Actress to Actress”, an online table talk. She taught an online workshop about developing business networking skills to delegates of the Ms. Full Figured Louisiana USA pageant. Chenese was also a speaker for Podfest Global Summit which set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ for the largest number of attendees at a virtual podcasting conference in one week.
As an influencer Chenese worked with brands such as Urban Skin Rx, Rene Tyler Plus Sizes, and moderated a Twitter chat for LAMIK Beauty entitled “Owning Our Beauty On Our Terms”.
The Chenese Lewis Show remained the most influential podcast for the plus size industry. Several national brands and retailers appeared on the show, some making major announcements. A few of the notable guests included Tamara Ivey, Marketing Manager of Customer Acquisition for Ashley Stewart; Nicole Phillips, Director of Social Media & Communications for 11 Honoré; Phil Ryan, Managing Director and CEO of City Chic Collective; Keisha Holmes, Merchandise Manager for Curvy Sense; Johnathan “Kayne” Gillaspie, celebrity designer and reality star from Project Runway All Stars; Yesenia Torres, Design Director of Eloquii; Nadia Boujarwah, Co-Founder & CEO of Dia&Co; and Ashley Neil Tipton, winner of Project Runway season 14. She also had an exclusive celebrity interview, nine-time Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, Kelly Price announced on the show the launch of her debut clothing line!
Chenese already has exciting things scheduled for 2021, make sure you follow her on all social media platforms and visit www.CheneseLewis.com often and to stay up to date!