The Team
A couple of Carolina Girls bringing stories to life.
PERRINE DeSHIELD
Creator| Co-Host| Editor
Perrine is Liberian-American and her parents immigrated to the United States in 1980. As the youngest of 6 (3 siblings born in Liberia, 3 as 1stGens) she's had the best role models from both worlds. She’s a marketer, podcaster and style mentor.
Perrine currently lives in Charlotte, NC and works as an Events Specialist for Belk corporate headquarters. Prior to moving back to the south and living in New York for a bit, she obtained her bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her master's degree from Savannah College of Art and Design in Luxury Fashion & Management. While at UNC-Chapel Hill, Perrine worked with Skye on the university's Student Television station (STV). She also reported for Carolina Week and Carolina Connection, the School of Journalism's award-winning news and radio shows.
Perrine was recently honored as one of Charlotte Pride Magazine’s Best of the Best 2019, was nominated as a Best of Belk finalist in 2019 and named one of the Top 30 Under 30 Future Leaders of Charlotte by Elevate Lifestyle magazine in 2018.
Some of her favorite podcasts include: Anything by Wondery, The Read, Root of Evil, Crime Junkie, Dissect, This American Life, Snap Judgement and of course, Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations.
She's a huge advocate for recognizing who you are and gaining empowerment--whether for you own personal branding or for your business.
Tre "SELF" Pierce
Audio Engineer
Tre "Self" Pierce is literally Liberian-American. His mother was born in Liberia and moved to America when she was eight, while his father was born and raised in North Carolina. Talented beyond his years, Tre works in various aspects of the music and production industry.
Whether it is making eclectic beats and melodies or performing on stage and editing trendy photos/promotional tools, Tre is a complete, self-taught creative.
He currently resides in Greensboro, North Carolina and is also Perrine's beloved nephew.
KIRSTIN GARRISS
Publicist
Kirstin Garriss is TV reporter in Charlotte, NC covering just about everything from politics to feel-go features to breaking news. When she’s not covering the latest story, she’s putting her PR and social media skills to work as the 1stGens publicist.
Before moving to the Queen City, Kirstin was a reporter in Hagerstown, Md. She also spent a few years working in Washington, D. C. Kirstin graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism and a minor in American history. During her time at UNC, she also met the co-hosts, Perrine and Skye!
In her free time, Kirstin enjoys working out, exploring Charlotte’s foodie scene, shopping at pop-up shops and thrift stores and watching Food Network and attempting to be a top chef.
And while she isn’t a first-generation American, Kirstin is third-generation West Indian! Her great-grandmother immigrated to New York from Trinidad in the 1940s.
SKYE WILSON
Co-Host| Producer
Skye Wilson is Liberian-American, with her mother being of the Bassa tribe and her father of the Vai tribe. Her parents immigrated to the US in 1979 eventually settling down in High Point, NC in 1982. Skye is the youngest of four children and the only daughter - she was obviously spoiled rotten.
Skye attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies - Media Studies and went on to earn her Master of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling at Old Dominion University. She is currently working full time in higher education focusing on educating folks on and creating safer spaces for folks with marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; additionally, she is working part time on becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. She'll likely get her Ph.D. sooner rather than later since her existential guilt has turned her into a glutton for academic punishment.
She brings humor and lightheartedness to all that she does and is excited to share her story of growing up as a 1st Gen while also lifting up the voices of other 1st Gens. She loves exploring intersectionality and it's role in shaping folks' personalities, experiences, and world views.
In her free time Skye enjoys biking, singing, listening to podcasts, window shopping for home goods, watching HGTV and foolishly believing she can remodel a kitchen, and playing with her dog Maddox.
NICK STUBBLEFIELD
Composer
Nick Stubblefield composes music for promotions, jingles, films and documentaries, as well as pop, show, classical and jazz ensembles and symphony orchestra. Born in New York City to Southern-raised parents, his family settled in Asheville, NC when Nick was two years old.
In 2010, he earned his degree in music composition from UNC Greensboro. His orchestral composition “Interstate 40” was selected as the opener for the UNCG Orchestra’s Spring concert in 2010.
He now resides in the beautiful melting pot that is Brooklyn, NY where he splits his time composing for various projects, performing with bands, and teaching music. Recent projects have included piano performance and arrangements for "Evening: 1910," a theatrical production at the Axis Theater in the West Village that was praised by the New York Times that stated — "The band is excellent, the sound is full and the show is fast and fluid.” His original keyboard tracks will be heard in the upcoming video game reboot “ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove,” due out late 2017.
Nick is thrilled to compose original themes specifically for the 1stGens Podcast! While not a first generation American himself, many of his closest friends and loved ones happen to be just that.