35: Media Diva Career Notes

Soooo ... It's my birthday.  #35 to be exact.

Of course I'll do some reflective posts today, where I self-reflect and make resolutions for this new year of life. But for this post, I've decided to do things a little different and share some things about me that most don't know.

I'm pretty much an open book when it comes to my personal life, but I rarely talking about my career/accomplishments -- Unless I've sent you a resume, or we're friends on LinkedIn.

So, in honor of my 35th year, here are 35 Media Diva Career Notes: 

1. When I was little I wanted to be two things: A writer and a teacher
2. I wrote my first short story at age 7. My mom still has it.
3. I started writing songs when I was 11, even wrote some for me and the friends I used to sing with in middle and high school.
4. I was told to become a songwriter when one of the groups met with a local producer (which suited me fine because I hated performing).
5. I am registered with BMI (since 1998) but have never published any of my songs … most people close to me never heard them.
6. I became a journalist in 10^th grade (s/o to KBYRD!) … I was promoted to a producer in 11^th grade.
7. I got my start in radio and promotions when I was the sole girl on the KMJJ street team, when I was 17.  I interned for then Music Director, Candy Rain.
8. I also street teamed for Universal Records for 2 years in college.
9. I published a hip-hop newsletter when I was a sophomore in college (at LSU) called Urban Word.  This was before blogs were cool and digital photography was extra accessible. I created it on Publisher, printed in with my own funds, and placed it in dorms.
10. Urban Word got me noticed by KLSU hip hop DJ and I ended up with a co-hosting gig
11. The first host name I came up with was Athena … I was told to change it LOL. That’s when mahogani was born -- And yes it was inspired by the movie. 
12. Back then, mahogani was my creative alter ego.  We are now one in the same.  
13. After appearing on the hip hop show, I was ushered into my own paying show featuring R&B music, which came on right after – The After Party.  I did that show for 2 years, and left it to my then boyfriend … who lost it for not showing up (Grr)
14. I have a Bachelor of Arts in MassCommunication from the Manship School at LSU.
15. I changed my minor 3 times before deciding on Audio-Visual Arts (aka Film). I’m glad I chose it.
16. I directed my first music video for a class in AVA minor, for a group named Tabu. I never got a copy of it though, lol.
17. When I graduated from college, I wanted to go into radio, but when corporations bought out local stations, they did away with the department I wanted to run – Promotions.
18. Instead of radio, I ended up in news, and I’ve worked for 3 of the local TV news affiliates in Shreveport (3, 6 and 12) as a producer. (My show went to #1 each time).
19. I got fired from one of those stations (guess which?! Lol)
20. I worked in radio again for a year (2004-2005) as the producer of the Quenn Echols Morning Show.  (I reminded QE that I came to him after graduating college to get a job and was ignored LOL.)
21. While working at KDKS, I also worked at KTAL (Ch. 6). For six months, I pulled 70-80 hours a week … I eventually had to let that go (lol)
22. I’ve had a lot of non-media jobs since the age of 16 such as: Babysitter, Grandy’s, Montgomery Ward, Work Study in offices at both XU and LSU, Eckerd’s (now CVS), Tinseltown (in BR), a Call Center, and Substitute Teaching.
23. I left news in 2007, and ended up working on film sets for a while.  The best experience was being a P.A. for “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” – it reignited my love for film production.
24. I became a professional photographer in 2007, working part-time at JC Penney. By, 2009, I was doing freelance photography on my own under Mahogani Media.
25. I left JCP in 2010 and entered graduate school. Since film school wouldn’t take me, I’m studying to be a Career Counselor.
26. I have worked in event promotions half my life but my favorites of all time were Juneteeth (when it was at Hamel’s Park), Universal Records listening parties, the events I promoted for Just a Little Café and the 318 Cypher).
27. I co-created the 318 Cypher but was left to run it on my own. I just wanted to create a platform for the artists who weren’t getting a voice or platform in the local music scene. It’s been one of the highlights of my career.
28. I still want to be a writer … I have 2 manuscripts, dozens of short stories, 2 short film, and a feature film (for TV) that I want to publish/produce/direct.
29. I may still teach later in life – but instead of English, I’d do Journalism, Communications or Psychology.
30. My creative idols are Spike Lee, Marc Baptiste and Anthony Mandler. 
31. My favorite author, e. lynnharris, passed away in 2009. I haven’t worked on my manuscript since.  But every time I write, I think of him.
32. My favorite people to photograph are artists – because they always want to tell their story through their photos.  (I will always be a journalist at heart).
33. I have a long list of creative career goals, one of which is to have a feature story in one of my favorite magazines with me as both the writer and photographer.
34. Along with success writing, photography, and promotions/PR … I aspire to be a producer or director in film or TV, but my passion is documentary.  Again, the journalist in me.
35. In 2002, The Creator told me my purpose – Storyteller.  And I plan to fulfill it in every way, whether I’m telling my story, or your yours.

 Though I have accomplished much in my life, I feel like I am just getting started in living my purpose.  I spent much of my life helping other artists (as I do now), and now it's time for me to showcase MY talents on a larger level.  So ... Stay Tuned ;-)   www.mahoganimedia.com  

  

When I Was ...

This post was inspired by the MTV show "When I was 17".

I asked some of my Facebook friends to give me numbers, which would represent years, for a birthday blog post.

Every birthday I'm in state of self-reflection ... and though some don't like to look back, I thought this would be a great exercise to remember the good (and bad) times, and see just how far I've come.

Thanks to all who contributed their numbers ... #Salute

WHEN I WAS ….

When I was born … My birth mother decided to give me a better life, and amazing parents. I’m thankful for her decision every day.

When I was 7 … I was in 2^nd grade, at New Life Montessori, learning how  to say “ask” instead of “axe”. I was one of few Blacks in my class but I never felt “different”.  Thanks to one of my classmates, I became an Elvis fan, and I believe this is where my love of musicals began. I loved that school.  

When I was 10 … I was in the 5^th grade and had to leave Montessori (school budget cuts) and transfer to South Highlands (an arts magnet school).  It was a total culture shock from what I was used to … and one of the worst years of my life … I was bullied for most of the year – at school, on the bus and at church.  I don’t even know how I got through it.  

When I was 12 … I was a 7^th grader at CMM.  I loved writing, reading, gymnastics, music – and boys. I hated middle school, but cool friends, nice teachers and school dances made it easier to tolerate.  I had a hard time because I wasn’t cliquish, and desired to be friends with all types of people.  I believe 7^th grade was the first time I got my heart broken by a boy, when he chose my friend over me … (First time, but not the last lol).  

When I was 16 … I was heartbroken over my high school sweetheart, but had no shortage in guys wanting to help me rebound.  I was extra smitten with one who went to my school, that most still don’t know I was serious about.   I was an honor roll student, producer for my high school TV station and a die-hard Bulls fan (s/o to BJ Armstrong). This was also the year I got my first job and got to drive myself to school.   I had an awesome Sweet 16 party and I went to the prom with a homeboy of mine from my neighborhood, but we came home early because I had to take the ACT the morning after J

When I was 17 … I was a senior and back on the flagline after a year off.  My favorite teacher was Mr. E, the band director and this was the best year EVER, filled with highs, lows, drama, guys, friends, football games, parties – the works.  I was still working, still driving to school, and preparing to go to college.  I was also an SGRho deb (elected President of my group).  I went to prom with a guy I was on-and-off with, because the guy I wanted to go with declined.  I designed my dress and had it made. We arrived in a white Mustang convertible that my dad rented for me.  Though I had full scholarships from 3 top journalism schools in the North, I elected to attend Xavier University in New Orleans (the other 2 in my top 3 were LSU and TCU).

When I was 19 … I was a sophomore in college, recently transferred from XU to LSU-BR.  I had just met the only guy I was ever engaged to. He was supposed to be a summer fling but we fell in love, and we were trying to see if the distance would be too much for us.  I remember that year being a constant transition for me, but I loved LSU. I really, really did.  Though I did party like most college students, the campus and people inspired me to achieve and one of the semesters I got all A’s and 1 B! But I remember calling my mom to tell her and being asked why it wasn’t all A’s (smh lol).  This was the year I published my urban newsletter and ended up co-hosting a radio show on KLSU.  Though the transitions were many and tough, I think I grew up a lot that year.

When I was 21 … I spent my birthday in New Orleans with my college sweetheart (a guy I dated after the ex-fiance).  Earlier that year, I’d pledged Zeta Phi Beta and somehow ended up with a new boyfriend.  It was amazing at first, but pressures from our fam (Blue & White) got to us both I think … By the new year, we were taking a break after I saw a side of him I detested.  The rest of age 21 was spent in turmoil with a past love resurfacing, and drama from every imaginable angle. What should’ve been a milestone year for me is remembered as the year I lost myself in love – and not in a good way.  I often wish I could do that whole year over.

When I was 24 … It was 2002(-2003). I was back at home and it had been a year since I graduated from collage – and lost my brother Anthony.  My college sweetheart and I were still together … and I was still lost.  Deeply depressed, but making moves toward change. I was in school and working at my first TV station as a P.A.  I’d also finally gotten the courage to seek counseling earlier that year and it was about to pay off.  When the boyfriend relocated to my city … trying to control my life again … and proposed, I finally had the courage to say No.  Months later, it was over and I was free. I’ll remember that as the year I finally realized my worth and got my life back on track.

When I was 28 … I was a producer at the local CBS affiliate.  Single (but not for long) and managing my newly diagnosed Anxiety Disorder (after the loss of my 2^nd brother the previous year).  Work was stressful but my co-producer made it tolerable – until they decided to get rid of him.  The added duties stressed me out even more and left me looking for an escape …which I found in a new relationship.  I was distracted though … and fooled by his warmth and caring nature.  By the time I realized who and what he was, it was too late.  I was back in another abusive relationship.  But this time I didn’t take it … and by the time I turned 29, he was gone.  28 was a rough year, but I learned a lot … I learned that no matter how good you are to someone, you can't change them. I also learned what I will and won’t put up with just to say I have a man – or a job.  

When I was 31 … I was celebrating my first year as a freelance photographer.  After being in a retail studio for the past two years, it was great to get outside and create images I wanted to show off, instead of the humdrum stuff I did at my job.  This was an stellar year for me creatively and professionally because it was the age/year in which I began to build my brand, Mahogani Media.  It was the beginning of an amazingly rewarding journey as a creative entrepreneur.  I’ll never forgot those who were with me during that year – ever.

Now that I’m 35 … Though some never like to look back at their past, I always take a minute to reflect on what I’ve gone through (and survived) and how much I’ve learned and grown, both personally and professionally.  I don’t have a lot of friends or a steady beau, but the people in my life are so supportive and loving that it makes the sporadic moments of loneliness go away as quickly as they came.  I am in a good place. I know my worth in every aspect of my life – and I command just that.  Because of all that I have gone through, I choose not to settle for less ever again.  I never want to look back at another year past 30 and regret anything.  I made that promise to myself on my 30^th birthday and so far I’ve kept it.  Of course, I’ve had setbacks and disappointments, but I have lived life faithful and honest -- staying true to myself and my purpose.  Today I am a spiritual, strong, hopeful, resilient, driven woman who is ready for many more years of progress and prosperity … and continued blessings -- even in the smallest form. 

Here’s to year 35 … and all that it has in store. 

#Cheers