Media Spotlights – Page 6 – Independent Entertainment Media Coalition

Media Mogul In The Making: Meet Dana Belfleur

Media mogul in the making, Dana Belfleur. Photo provided by Dana Belfleur.

This week’s featured media mogul in the making is the co-host of the Rants and Revelations podcast, Dana Belfleur. Learn more about Dana’s journey below.

You are a multi-talented individual dipping and dapping in a bunch of other expressive fields. So, what was it about journalism or media that piqued your interest?

“Contrary to many of my peers in the industry, I’ve never considered myself creative or expressive. I’ve always thought I was a black and white person– one who thrives off logic as opposed to creativity. Digital media, specifically YouTube and podcasts, piqued my interest because they can be used as educational tools to provide truth and knowledge. I can tell my story in a nontraditional format and connect with my viewers and listeners to encourage them to conquer their own challenges.”

How did you get your start in the media field? Did you study communications in college? Internships? Hobby writing?

“Interestingly enough, in elementary school and high school, I was part of the media team. I served as the student morning news anchor and in high school was also able to produce, write some news pieces and worked the teleprompter. I enjoyed doing that so much, I applied to Florida State University to study broadcast journalism. However, that was my back up plan because my heart was set on Spelman College. Once I got into Spelman, I chose a different major then started my YouTube channel less than a year after graduation.”

Tell us how you built up your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?

“I now have a podcast called Rants and Revelations with my best friend from highschool, Michelle Benjamin. We decided to work on this project together because it was a fun outlet to share our stories. What started as a passion project, now has a detailed 3 year plan to target Black, millennial women who are in different stages of their lives. Whether single or married, a mother or forever the rich aunt, corporate professional or entrepreneur– we believe we all have a story. More importantly, we know we can achieve our individual goals with a strong support system, even if it is a virtual one (ours is the RandRTribe). Our podcast is called Rants and Revelations because we get to have funny, genuine conversations that allow us to grow, evolve and learn (hence the Rants). And we get to reflect on lessons learned so that we are able to achieve our best selves (hence the Revelations). Our top goal is to encourage our listeners to evolve right along with us.”

So far throughout your career, what has been your proudest personal media moment?

“My proudest media moment, hands down, has been starting Rants and Revelations. Getting it off the ground was hard work and putting ourselves out there was even harder However, the response and support we’ve gotten so far shows me we are doing exactly what we’re called to do: help women learn, laugh and evolve– together. I cannot wait to see where this journey takes us; hopefully, it’s on a screen near you!”

What advice would you give aspiring mediapreneurs looking to enter the field?

“First, you have to figure out exactly what your end goal is. Once you’ve decided that, come up with a game plan on how to accomplish this goal. Put together a list of mentors who’s done it and take tips from their paths. Once you’ve set your mind to it and you’ve created your plan, like Nike, just do it! It is intimidating to come into this field if you feel like you don’t have enough experience or the right pedigree but when you’re walking in your purpose, everything is aligned and it works out. Be committed to your own success, have the self discipline to work hard, and as you grow in your career always thank those who helped you get to where you are and make room to pay it forward for those who are up and coming.”

Connect with Dana Belfleur on Instagram to keep up with her. Follow Rants and Revelations on Instagram. To view the latest of Rants and Revelations, visit https://anchor.fm/rants-and-revelations.

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Media Mogul In The Making: Meet Corein Carter

Media mogul in the making, Corein Carter. Photo provided by Lawrence Locke.

This week’s featured media mogul in the making is content curator, podcaster, and journalist, Corein Carter. Corein is the host on budding podcast Play on Words with her work being featured on platforms such as XO Necole, Blavity, Sheen Magazine, and Business Blurb. Learn more about Corein’s journey below.

You are a multi-talented individual dipping and dapping in a bunch of other expressive fields. So, what was it about journalism or media that piqued your interest?

“I’ve actually been writing since I was in the 5^th grade. I started doing poetry which I became very good at and it landed me the opportunity to be nationally published in a poem book at the age of 11 years old. My passion for expressing myself thru writing was a love of mine, so much so I went to college to study mass communications with a focus on journalism at Winston Salem State University.”

How did you get your start in the media field? Did you study communications in college? Internships? Hobby writing?

“After college, I didn’t see many opportunities available for me at the time to share stories of POC’s in the magazine industry. I felt discouraged by the lack of opportunities and discrimination at the time and essentially gave up on my writing dreams. After several failed attempts to secure an internship at some of the known publications we are all familiar with, I went on a six-year hiatus where I wrote nothing, not poetry, not journal prompts nothing at all. I focused on traveling the world as a flight attendant with hopes of making my way up in the rinks of corporate in the company I worked for. In 2016 I had a life-changing event occur that turned me back to writing as a form of therapy. I started journaling more often and creating stories and came across an old college friend who inspired me to take writing seriously again. I felt empowered thru writing and wanted to tap back into it. In 2018 I started my own blog/podcast called Play on Words that helped get me back in the groove of writing and media.”

Tell us how you built up your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?

“I built my platform up initially thru my personal blog and podcast Play on Words. I have a very raw, rare, and real style of writing and podcasting. It’s sort of an “in your face’’ style where I would hold nothing back but still leave my followers with a message to receive. People seemed to Love It! That boosted my confidence enough to reach out to local magazines. In 2019 I started off writing for The WERK Magazine when I was living in Atlanta, it was a great opportunity to get my feet wet and launch my professional writing career. I currently write for four large publications as a contributor. xoNecole, Blavity, Sheen Magazine, & Business Blurb. My mission is to tell authentic stories of POC’s rather it is dealing with current news, relationships, social justice, mental wellness, or motivational tips that will help other people stay inspired. My audience is millennial women and men of color between the ages of 25-34. I like to call them young professionals.”

So far throughout your career, what has been your proudest personal media moment?

“My proudest personal media moment would have to be becoming apart of For(bes) The Culture group. It’s a branded partnership with Forbes including a group of young professionals, who are banding together in the community to share resources, tools, knowledge, and opportunities with likeminded POC. The amount of support, comradery, and opportunities this group has extended to me thus far is beyond what I could have asked for as a climbing journalist in the game.”

What advice would you give aspiring mediapreneurs looking to enter the field?

“My advice would be “Stay Patient with Yourself”. What you ultimately desire will be yours in due time. I learned thru this process of breaking into media it’s necessary to give yourself room for growth and life understanding. Timing is key. If was to start my writing career straight out of college my focal point in writing would be a lot different. Allow yourself room to mature as a person and an artist b/c that’s essentially what writing is. It’s a form of art thru words. Write a story even if you feel it’s bad, you may have an ‘AHA” moment, later on, realize that material is relevant or worth using accordingly.”

Connect with Corein Carter on Instagram and Twitter to keep up with her. To view her latest work, visit https://linktr.ee/inlivingcolored.

Media Mogul In The Making: Meet Maureen Aladin

Media mogul in the making, Maureen Aladin. Photo provided by Aladin.

This week’s featured media mogul in the making is founder and executive producer of TWELVE18 Media, Maureen Aladin. TWELVE18 Media is a black-owned and operated production company creating stellar digital and broadcast content starring some of your favorite online influencers. Learn more about Maureen’s journey below.

You are a multi-talented individual dipping and dapping in a bunch of other expressive fields. So, what was it about journalism or media that piqued your interest?

“I have always been naturally drawn to creating content. The right-brained side of me needed an outlet, so I created my production company, TWELVE18 Media, to not only create content for myself but for future clients.”

How did you get your start in the media field? Did you study communications in college? Internships? Hobby writing?

“I majored in political science in college, and received a masters in computer science, so everything I learned about production and new media, I learned by getting my feet wet and building my portfolio as a producer. I worked on film, television and digital projects. I did not do any internships, but I certainly paid my dues by working for free on various projects. It was taxing on my pockets, however, the experience I gained was priceless.

As a writer, I am constantly crafting pitch decks, one sheets and corresponding with brands or sponsors. It is almost to a fault, as it becomes challenging to shift and find the time to work on all of my scripted ideas. I did, however, pen my first ebook called Nursing Mama Mantra. It’s a humorous and very real account of my experience nursing my baby as a new mom. The book is also filled with positive affirmations that I intentionally repeated as mantras to my little one while nursing.”

Tell us how you built up your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?

“TWELVE18 Media’s goal is to create original and branded content that makes a positive impact on its viewers through edutainment and laughter. We want our projects to evolve into ecosystems (think Disney), and the projects we are hired to produce – to touch the hearts, minds and emotions of its viewers.

Our platform is our community. We have a growing base of people who love our original series like My Life Offline, Hello Fitness with Lita Lewis and Comida Caliente. Based on our current slate of content, our series attracts Black and Latina females.”

So far throughout your career, what has been your proudest personal media moment?

“My proudest personal media moment was sitting down with multiple networks and deciding to release our series My Life Offline online! The series received its first festival win from the Harlem International Film Festival in 2016. We also held a reunion at the YouTube Space NY sponsored by some of your favorite curly girl hair brands. The series was a labor of love that I am very proud of and look forward to resuming in 2021.”

What advice would you give aspiring mediapreneurs looking to enter the field?

“Pursue your passion(s) relentlessly. Time is short, so do it in fear. Don’t spend too much time in the lab, make a plan, execute and share your God given gifts with the world! It’s waiting on you!”

Connect with TWELVE18 Media on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the company. To view their latest work head over to their official website http://www.twelve-media.com/!