I am Lauren Johnson-Cummings, a native of Akron, OH. I relocated to Simpsonville, SC as a teen in the mid nineties with my parents and sister. I attended Spelman College, followed by the University of South Carolina. I am married to my best friend Maurice Cummings and we have three amazing children. I thoroughly enjoy reading non-fiction, weekends with my family and watching romantic comedies. I love fresh cut peonies, a red lip, anywhere in the Caribbean, santal fragrances, all shades of pink and a good cry.
I am active in several national and local organizations, including the first and best African American sorority. I have enjoyed a successful twenty year career in the events industry. My first job after college was with the American Diabetes Association working on fundraising events and I’ve worked in various event roles ever since. Most recently I was the Executive Director of the Greenville ONE Center, a boutique conference center in downtown Greenville, SC. Summer 2023 I made the decision to open my own event design firm, Lauren Celeste Designs, LLC. Lauren Celeste Designs allows me the creative freedom to design unique decor themes, which is my true passion.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in The Golden Strip?
29 years.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love art in all forms, design and interior decorating. Most people assume that I like to plan events because I’ve done it for years throughout my career. I don’t. My passion lies in ideation and creation of themes and executing a clients vision for their event. If you need to create a color palette, source decor, arrange flowers, make centerpieces or hang aerial decor, I’m your girl.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in The Golden Strip?
This is a really great question. I’ve had the fortune of meeting so many interesting people through my work so this is a tough choice. I would have to say Xanthene Norris, she is a living legend.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about The Golden Strip?
Each of the towns or cities that make up the Golden Strip have their own unique character and vibe. I’ve lived briefly in Fountain Inn and Mauldin and in my opinion, they are so different from Simpsonville, SC where I’ve lived the majority of the last 25+ years. I enjoy the small town charm of downtown Simpsonville, especially now that it has even more to offer with new food halls.
Q: With so much growth in our area, there are always new places popping up. Tell us about the a “new to you” place that you recently tried.
I enjoy trying new restaurants. My family and I recently went to the Texas de Brazil restaurant in the Haywood Mall.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME or NEIGHBOR?
Comfort, Ease, Familiar.
Q: If you had a free day with no plans, what would you do? Or where can we find you on the weekends?
For the past 15 years or so I have traditionally worked on weekends. Now that I have more control of my schedule, I really enjoy spending time at home; organizing, or working on projects. You can almost always find me at the local Target, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby and my local favorite, Ice Cream Station.
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
Samuel L Jackson….guaranteed to be a blockbuster!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Never give up.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
Spend serious time examining and really getting to know who you are. What makes YOU excited, curious, fearful, etc. So many people are clones of others. It’s cliched, but you really only have a finite amount of time here on earth. It’s up to YOU to live the life that YOU want to live. There will always be challenges and barriers but examine the workarounds and do the things that make YOU fulfilled. Finally, take the risks, either you learn or succeed, both are wins.
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of The Golden Strip?
Cheryl Johnson.
