The wedding of Rashida Miller and Nathanial “Earthquake” Stroman was one for the books. But not because of his comedic legend status or her illustrious career in business and real estate, because of their genuine and pure love story that’s genesis begins in the cozy hills and sparkling lights of Los Angeles, California.
Getting into the real estate business at just 19 years old and coming from a longline of success in her own familial legacy, Rashida wasn’t intimidated by her husband’s highly successful career.
“I was an account executive at a real estate firm in Beverly Hills and an active realtor. I was at that company for about eight years. And I kind of like transitioned to work for the Federal Reserve auditing banks. It was at the time when so many homeowners across the nation lost their homes and some of the banks were not giving loan modifications as they should have because President Obama had created different programs for people to keep their homes and unfortunately, some banks were just foreclosing on people. It was an $8.5 billion settlement, and that was the project I worked on.”
So, with her own success as a rising star in business and real estate, it wasn’t overwhelming for her to enter into partnership with another respective star in his own field. After meeting Earthquake at the iconic Laugh Factory comedic lounge in L.A. at 25 years old 13 years prior to their wedding day, Rashida recalls that despite not immediately connecting after their first meeting, that the two stayed in contact. And it was his sensitive heart and tender spirit that made her interest in him peak.
“I grew up in L.A. So we’re constantly seeing celebrities just growing up here. And in fact, I really ran from them because I sold a lot of homes to entertainers and athletes and being around them in that way — they just typically aren’t my type of guy that I would date. So, after meeting at The Laugh Factory and that not really going anywhere, we still remained in touch over the years — it was always like a check-in type thing.
“Around 2018/2019, my niece was really sick with leukemia.” Rashida says transparently. “I started a GoFundMe account for her parents because they wanted to do some alternative treatments to help outside of what the doctors were doing. And I just reached out to everybody. It’s not really in my nature to do that, but this was my need for her, so I reached out to all of my resources. And he donated and then he also called me and shared his story about a recent passing of somebody very close to him that was, you know, a child who also ended up being three years old too. We really connected on that and bonded over it. And that just showed me how caring of a person he is. Speaking with him just showed me another side of him. I was so grateful and it made such an impact.”
Right before COVID, I got another check-in text from him. He was like, ‘Hey, do you want to do dinner and movies or something?’ And I was like, ‘You know what? I sure do!’ I had just gotten out of a relationship. And he was somebody who I knew and always felt respect from for years at this point. So, I agreed.”
This agreement to his proposition for a date came weeks after prayer and fasting on Rashida’s end focused on honing in on what she really wanted out of life.
“I don’t have any kids, don’t have any liabilities, I own my own business. And I was at a point where I still didn’t want to settle in waiting for my husband and I was very specific about that. I decided I was gonna focus on myself. I decided to go back to school, and I’d say about like a good two weeks of that — just constant prayer, intentional meditation, and focusing on exactly what I wanted — is when he texted me, I was like, ‘You know what? Let’s do it. Let’s go. Let’s give this guy a chance.’ And we have not left each other’s side since then.”
After staying together during the COVID-19 pandemic, the two realized their fate wasn’t just logic and good timing, but love and God-ordained destiny.
“He just ended up being everything I wanted in a person and more. Like I could not have even dreamt of this type of relationship with my husband now. And to this day, I’m just like, ‘Wow! You really are that guy!”
Connecting altogether spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally was important for the pair and amidst the isolation of 2020, their confirmation of such a connection was apparent, making them individually and collectively realize that they were the one for one another.
“He is a God-fearing man. He continues to pray and he thanks God even before he gets on stage. Every show, he writes a note to God thanking Him. And I just really respect that he’s very humble and we’re literally just each other’s best friends. So, I prayed for it, God showed me and then He provided.”
“Even though I have been independent forever and had my own, he stepped in and was like, ‘I got this. I got you. What are your goals? What are your aspirations? What do you want to do in the next five to ten years? Whatever it is, I got it. When you’re with me, you don’t have to worry about anything.’ And that’s been really refreshing to experience.”
But in order to become the wife she always desired, she had to become the woman of her own dreams first.
“I come from a very strong lineage.” Rashida shares. “My grandfather was the president of NAACP in the first Compton chapter and we were one of the first Black families that moved to Compton. He was a Vet, and back then, they allowed Black people to own their own homes. I think it was like one or two blocks in Compton if you were a Veteran. My mom is an architect. My grandfather was a developer as well. I’ve truly come from a family full of successful people. My grandparents on my father’s side moved here from Chicago and they used to run a country club in Chicago. They came out and moved to Alcadena and started fostering children and they became a safe haven for young, Black children in the area. So, there was and is really no option in our family to fail. From a young age, we all had to know what we wanted to do with ourselves. When I was really young, I wanted to become a doctor. But as I became older, I realized I really enjoyed real estate. My aunt owned a very successful, top real estate firm in Sacramento. So, when I turned 18, she came to me about real estate because she thought I would love it and I did. I started as a loan officer with her firm back then, and my first deal was a million-dollar deal.”
“Both of my parents, just growing up, really taught me how to be a strong and independent woman. They really prepared me to be a good person and to not settle. And I just never have. I’m so happy that I didn’t settle.”
So, when it came time for Earthquake to pop the question, Rashida was undoubtedly ready for the next step in life as a wife-to-be.
“About eight months into our dating, he was talking about marriage and talking about buying a house together and things like that. So, I knew [the engagement] was coming and I knew he got the ring, I just didn’t know the exact day he was going to propose. My only rule was I didn’t want any type of public engagement.”
“It ended up being on my birthday.” She gleefully recounts the dreamy day. “He rented out a yacht for like four or five hours. It was really beautiful and then we came back to the hotel, rested a bit, and then he was like, ‘Okay, we’re going to dinner.’ And when we walked in, I realized he had rented out the entire restaurant. There was a jazz player there and there were flowers leading up to the table. We had this beautiful five-course meal and a beautiful birthday cake. And then all of a sudden, the jazz player began playing one of my favorite songs, ‘Unforgettable’ by Nat King Cole. I was like, ‘Oh, shoot!’ Then he got on one knee and he had a beautiful speech prepared and he proposed. And it was just.., it was everything.” Rashida gushes reflecting over the once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Now in preparation for their big day, they sought to plan the wedding of their dreams.
Rashida recounts, “I love cleanliness. I liked the white flower look. And a little pop of red. Our planner, really saw who I was and she got to know me pretty well, so I really didn’t have to worry about anything. Everything laid out so beautifully.”
Reflecting the couple’s reflective love for Black Luxury at the most elegant of epaks, the ceremony and subsequent reception echoed an undeniable sense of all things classy, glamorous and Black Excellence.
And speaking of classy and glamorous, Rashida shares with us the deets of finding her perfect dresses.
“I had a couple styles in mind.” She shares. “I knew I wanted it to be bling-y. But my first vision was actually a mermaid style gown. Slo and I kind of talked about different designers. And that’s when I found Yasmin Bridal which is a shop based out of Newport. Yasmin met with me and a few of my bridesmaids that were able to come along. I was really focused on this mermaid style dress, so I tried one similar. And then she suggested I try on a princess-style. And I fell in love with the fit. I was so happy with how the dress came out. I only had to have one fitting, and it was perfect.”
As for the big day, the bride described herself as “abnormally calm”.
“Everybody kept telling me that I was the calmest bride ever, but honestly, there was nothing to really trip about. Slo had everything down. She had a concierge for me, and for him. I mean, we had zero problems. Both of our assistants were there helping. They were freaking amazing.”
“My glam was amazing. Makeup by Mila Thomas and did my makeup and Chris Gees did my hair and I loved it.”
The two chose to go the first-look route in preparation of their walk down the aisle.
“All my bridesmaids were behind me. We went down this beautiful hallway at the Langham Hotel and his back was turned towards me and I’m just standing there and he finally turned around and he was like, ‘Oh my god! You so beautiful!’ He came over to me and gave me a big hug and a kiss and he was just like, ‘This is just so stunning.’
“And he just looked so handsome. Of course I had my hand in his suit, so I wasn’t too surprised at what he was going to look like. But he just looked so clean and handsome and just happy. Neither of us were nervous. We were both ready and we were ready to turn up.”
And even after coming out of model retirement during London Fashion Week this year, Rashida said her walk down the aisle was daunting thanks to the grandeur of her gown.
“I know what to do with gowns. I have modeled a few wedding gowns. And so the key is to kick. My petticoat was so long and I was a little bit nervous but the designer was there and they cut it a couple times just to make sure I would be okay.”
“When I came out, there was a violinist there. I grabbed my dad’s hand and couldn’t stop smiling. And before we started walking down the aisle, Major comes out and he started singing his hit song, ‘This Is Why I Love You’. And although I couldn’t see him, I could tell it was live. And so, I was like, ‘Hold on! This was not planned!’ Then as we were walking down the aisle, he popped out in the front where Nate was and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, he surprised me.!’ So, he totally surprised me with Major. I did not know that was going to happen. It was such a great surprise!” She recalls.
With Bishop Noel Jones officiating the nuptials, the ceremony was destined to feel altogether sacred and spiritual.
“Our vows were by far my favorite part. Quake is known for just going off the top of his head and doing that. So that was just a very beautiful moment. Everything he said was just absolutely breathtaking. I had to write mine down. I couldn’t go off the top of my head.” She laughs. “I didn’t want to forget to say something or want to miss anything.”
As for the reception, the event was one for the books. Both fun and familial in nature, the big day’s grand finale included a celeb friend-filled guest list, a heartfelt philanthropic initiative guests were invited to participate in and an impromptu performance by R&B King Bobby Brown.
“It was just lit.” She says. “Johnny [Gill] sang for our first dance. He sang ‘My Love’ for us, and from there it just all went by so fast. That’s the only thing I can say I can regret. It’s like everything went by so fast. I wish I could go back and live in it all over again.”
“Everybody was turning up.” She shares. “And then my DJ, DJ Efeezy out of Miami, I’ve known him since I was like 23 and I was like, ‘Dude, you have to come to my wedding!’ And he’s such a big DJ. He’s so beyond that. But I’m like, ‘Bro, you have to come to our wedding.’ The moment he saw Bobby Brown, he was like, ‘I have to try to figure out how I’m going to get him to sing.’”
And once DJ Easy began playing Brown’s iconic hit, “My Prerogative”, the crowd went wild, and before they knew it, the R&B King had a mic in hand with his N.E. brother Johnny dancing alongside him and the crowd jumping and singing along.
Alongside honoring their aunts, they also honored the victims of the wildfires in Altadena. “We already have everything we could ever want so we didn’t want gifts. Instead we just asked everybody to donate to our fundraiser for the fire victims in Altadena. About three of my friends lost their homes, so we just asked everybody to donate so that the funds could go directly to them.”
“Just overall, seeing the room, it was just so beautiful. Having our families and friends there, loving on us and happy for us — there was such a genuine happiness around the room and even a couple of love connections were made!”
When it comes to legacy, Rashida believes it will start with the introduction of their first philanthropic endeavor as husband and wife: The Stroman Foundation.
“I was young when I worked as a Housing Counselor at a nonprofit community development corporation in South Central LA. It was around the time when so many people were losing their homes, and I was able to help Black families and seniors obtain loan modifications to avoid foreclosure. Seeing people keep their homes was incredibly rewarding. That experience really cemented my passion for philanthropy. It’s something I’ve always wanted to be part of.”
Rashida continues, “I want to be known for making a difference and an impact in the Black community and in lower income communities. That’s something that I’ll be building for years to come.”
We wish the Stroman’s a lifetime of happiness and marital bliss!
Written By Writer, Kennedi LéShea.
Credits:
Wedding Planner: Slomique Hawrylo of Carpe Diem Events
Venue: The Langham Huntington Pasadena
Photographer: Mood Photo & Video
Stationary: Scripted Ever After
Cake: Sweet Traders
Bridal Fashion: Yasmin’s Bridal Company
Florals: Blue Iris Floral Couture
Event Rentals: Create Event Design
