This week’s featured media mogul in the making is entertainment journalist, Natalee Gilbert! While her work has been featured across many platforms including The Feature Presentation and FM Hip Hop, she’s building a quite a buzz with blog, The Fresh Finds. Learn more about Natalee’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?
“Journalism intrigued me because of the freedom to express that came with it. I was very interested by the way others often worded their opinions of another’s music through different structures and heavy research. Two blogs that really pushed me to pursue music journalism is DJBooth, which I commend for their unique approaches to different topics and artist pieces. Pitchfork also pushed me toward music journalism because of their ability to describe music and make one feel as if they’ve heard the songs already. They also aren’t afraid to be honest so that’s another plus.”
How did you get your start in the media field? Did you study communications in college? Internships? Hobby writing?
“I started through Tumblr. I never studied journalism or was apart of any internships but I had a strong desire for writing and underground music growing up. One day, I had the epiphany to delve into the industry when I attended a music festival called The Meadows in New York City. From then, I wanted to help artists tell their stories and get more exposure for themselves.”
Tell us how you built up your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?
“I build my platform through Instagram, an app called Shapr and going to underground events. As the saying goes, it’s really who you know. I also tried my best to find any platform that matched what I wanted to put out. The first one I seeked for (outside of my own blog, The Fresh Finds) was a company called Kulture Hub, who I found through an Indeed ad. My ultimate goal is to have my own hub with Power 105.1 and expand The Fresh Finds. I really want people to enjoy reading my content about artist who are on the rise and I want the artist to like it it too. I’d say my audience is mostly hip-hop or R&B lovers.”
So far throughout your career, what has been your proudest personal media moment?
“I’d say my proudest was earning my internship with DJ Suss One’s The Feature Presentation. Before then, I’d apply to companies like XXL or Complex just to be shut down. But DJ Suss One and Amber really believed that I had what it takes.”
What advice would you give aspiring mediapreneurs looking to enter the field?
“Do your research and listen to music for your leisure or else it starts to feel like a job. But most importantly, keep pushing. This industry is hard to get into but I guarantee your work ethic will get you there.”
Connect with Natalee Gilbert on Instagram to keep up with her! Be sure to follow The Fresh Finds on Instagram.
The Independent Entertainment Media Coalition is a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization dedicated to provided financial, educational, and professional resources for freelance media figures. Help in our efforts! To make a donation, please click HERE!
CEO of Tha L. Spot, Empress Lanice. Photo by Dajeanius.
This week’s featured media mogul in the making is the media boss of all media boss, Empress Lanice. From public relations, event programming to interviewing rising talent, Empress Lanice does it all. As the CEO and owner of media platform, Tha L. Spot, Empress is a driving force behind the independent entertainment scene. Learn more about Empress’ 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?
“Thank you! I’ve always had an interest in journalism and it heightened when I went to college for public relations. As a publicist, we have to know how and what to pitch to journalists, and with the courses I took it encouraged me to start my own website thalspot.com (currently thalspotonline.com). The website was for me to become a better writer as well as, to promote my friends then it grew into something bigger. Ever since then, that changed the direction of my life.”
How did you get your start in the media field? Did you study communications in college? Internships? Hobby writing?
“I went to Hofstra University to study public relations which of course includes learning about the various forms of media.”
Tell us how you built up your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?
“Oh wow. This question is a good one. First, to clarify, when I started Tha L. Spot as a business in 2012 it was both a media and public relations company. In 2017, I decided to take out the public relations department and create a new business for it called Empress Lanice Public Relations Agency. In 2012, when I started, I had a vision and I just took action. It first started as writing, then I added the public relations (once I received my degree), then I added media correspondence, then added music concerts and fashion shows, then it expanded to a television show. And, I ended up doing all of the above. In 2018, I did put Tha L. Spot in hiatus because I felt overwhelmed. You all are now seeing the rebirth of it in 2020, and a lot has changed from when I started. However, our mission has always been to provide an additional platform for entertainers and entrepreneurs to share their art or business, and for them to connect with each other. Over the years, I have seen partnerships from those who either were featured on my website, tv show, attended my events, or who were my clients. I’ve seen their careers grow to new levels from their connection to Tha L. Spot. I’ve also seen readers, viewers, or attendees become fans/supporters of these individuals.
I am personally an advocate for entrepreneurship and for entertainers to see themselves as entrepreneurs not just performers chasing checks or opportunities but creating their own checks and opportunities. Also, in connecting with each other to expand themselves.
If I sum up our audience, it’s entertainers and entrepreneurs between the ages of 21 – 45 years old. This age group is the same for our viewership, readership, and attendees, and most of these people are those who enjoy being edutained (educated + entertained).”
So far throughout your career, what has been your proudest personal media moment?
“Oh wow! There were so many whether if it was me being a journalist or a publicist. If you don’t mind, I’d like to give two: 1. My proudest moment as a journalist or content creator was creating my cable television show, Tha L. Spot Show, which is still on the air today on Brooklyn Free Speech on Saturdays at 1 P.M. EST. 2. My proudest moment as a publicist was all the media placements I got for my clients over the years such as BET, The Source, Power 105.1 FM, Caribbean Life Newspaper, Brooklyn Daily Newspaper, News 12, and so much more. For both of these experiences, it was amazing to see a vision turn into reality, and just going after what you want.”
What advice would you give aspiring mediapreneurs looking to enter the field?
“My advice I would give is to not second guess yourself and take action. It’s okay to make mistakes that’s a part of the learning curve. However, if you want to avoid A LOT of mistakes then do your research and find a mentor. One more thing, don’t limit yourself. Always find ways to create and tell the story of others or a current event. Anything is possible and new ways can be created. You have to be able to discern the space you are in so you can know what steps to take to move forward.”
Connect with Empress Lanice on Instagram and Twitter to keep up with her! Be sure to follow Tha L. Spot on Instagram and Twitter.
The Independent Entertainment Media Coalition is a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization dedicated to provided financial, educational, and professional resources for freelance media figures. Help in our efforts! To make a donation, please click HERE!
Creative director, media personality, host of Blkflix, and co-host Run The Tape podcast, Cosi.
This week’s featured media mogul in the making is multifaceted content creator and culture curator, Cosi. Professionally, Cosi is a creative director and media personality his resume includes being the event host of Blkflix and co-host of the podcast, Run The Tape. Learn more about Cosi’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 actually realized while in university, Morgan State, that I had an affinity for writing and expression of opinions of ideas. I also believe that all forms of artistic passion involve some level of communication with the human element, whether it be verbal or non-verbal. I prefer verbal. I prefer speaking and engagement that moves the needle of listeners’ personal choices in life or the status quo within my cultural habitat.”
How did you get your start in the media field? Did you study communications in college? Internships? Hobby writing?
“I studied Journalism after transitioning away from my original love, Architecture. I dabbled in Print Journalism & Magazine Layout, so I was always setting myself to transition into expressive communication in my early 20’s. I had no internships. I had no positions that supported this career path. I literally said to myself one day, and out loud in a crowd to create accountability, that I’d start a music podcast dedicated to exposing people to amazing music. I have been doing this for my closest friends and partners since I was in school, so I said, ‘I definitely can do this!’.”
Tell us about your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?
“RUNTHETAPE! So, it’s a podcast dedicated to bridging the gap between amazing artists and ravenous audiences looking for new music to bring into their rotation. The radio no longer serves us in this capacity. It’s riddled with media politics, payola etiquette, and favoritism. Honestly, my goals are to bring awareness to how music has truly evolved and grown over the years and that it truly has so many subgenres that nobody could ever say, ‘Hip Hop Is Dead’. Sorry, Nas. I will admit that I’m a rap purist (dun-dun-duuuuun), but I try really hard to not come off elitist or judgmental about my audiences listening habits and blend a little of what I’m vibing to in with what they’re vibing with.”
So far throughout your career, what has been your proudest personal media moment?
“In April ’19, we had our first live show in New York. It was sold out and buzzing. The planning stages was a lot, but it was a great moment with people at different stages in their careers. We had Maino as our keynote guest; he’s in a different space. But then had Junae Brown, founder of B2P Agency, and Kim Chanel, Manager of Events @ Audiomack. They’re successful in their own right. So, we’re checking off a lot of boxes. Highlighting Black talent. Highlighting our peers. Highlighting Black women. The feedback was great and really exposed us to established brands for a lot of opportunities that we’re still sorting through in 2020.”
What advice would you give aspiring mediapreneurs looking to enter the field?
“Understand what you do, but understand what your support mechanism does. Some people fault becoming a jack of all trades because you lose the opportunity to become adept at one thing. No. You may not be adept at one, but you can become amazing in all. I conceptualize. I create. I execute. Literally, if I have an idea—I don’t need to get on board with my peers to execute an initiative that I’m passionate about. A lot of creatives have to wait (for the shoot, for the logo, for the EPK, etc.) to launch and lose momentum. Become self-sufficient and then add the pieces, so should anyone ever not be able to facilitate something for you? You got you because when you look back, can you really hold someone else accountable for your vision not panning out?”
Connect with Cosi on Instagram and Twitter to keep up with him! Be sure to follow Run The Tape on Instagram and Twitter. Click HERE to check out their latest episodes.
The Independent Entertainment Media Coalition is a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization dedicated to provided financial, educational, and professional resources for freelance media figures. Help in our efforts! To make a donation, please click HERE!
Independent Entertainment Media Coalition 