Media Mogul In The Making: Meet Flisadam Pointer

Media mogul in the making, Flisadam Pointer. Photo provided by Flisadam Pointer.

This week’s featured media mogul in the making is the founder and editor-in-chief of the independent entertainment blog ENVERT and our very own editor-in-chief, Flisadam Pointer. Get to know Flisadam and her professional journey below.

You are an adjunct teaching Digital Media at Rutgers University. What made you go into education rather than staying in the media field solely?

“Truth be told, I had no intention of pursuing a career in the field of education! I have a great deal of respect for educators. So to be responsible for molding the mind of a pupil is one I do not take lightly.  During my graduate studies, I had the opportunity to conduct a case study on how social media influences digital album sales examining Solange’s A Seat At The Table rollout. My professor at the time was impressed by my research methods and after graduating invited me to come back to teach undergraduates but I declined. She reached back out again, so I decided to take the leap and I’ve been teaching every since. She’s now my program director, I guess she saw something in me that I didn’t.

I love all forms of media which is why teaching it has been so enjoyable. After graduating I choose the path of digital media as in social media storytelling by way of marketing despite majoring in journalism because there are many ways to tell a story outside of just blogging. But life is full circle, in the past year or so I have been writing a lot more. Conducting artist interviews, album reviews, video spotlights and more. Quite ironic really.”

Tell us about ENVERT. How did it start? Where did you come up with the name and where do you see it in the next year?

“ENVERT is my creative baby! Initially, ENVERT started off as a one-hour weekly radio show on Rutgers University’s WRSU student radio station to showcase my favorite tracks I found on SoundCloud that week. It quickly grew into a two-hour weekly show with on-air performance, music premieres and in-studio interviews. There was a void to showcase independent artists and I tried my best to fill it. 

It really upsets me that despite being in the number 1 media market with stations like Hot 97, Power 105.1, Z100, WBLS as well as major television networks like BET & MTV that these artists weren’t getting the media coverage they deserved. Execs would rather play the same 6 tracks or videos all day. So the name came from my goal to reverse what entertainers were getting attention or inverting the coverage. 

We are growing little by little every day, so in the next year I would love to being producing a lot more video content and if possible live shows.”

Of all the forms of multimedia, what do you think is the most effective channel and what is your favorite or specialty?

“It’s hard to say which form is the most effective. It all depends on your audience as well as your intended goal with your content. Podcasts work great for long-form material. Video content is good for adding context to a narrative. Text based content is great for exploring opinions. I would say of all the mediums, I feel like words are my speciality so it’s my go-to medium. I am however beginning to explore outside of that with video and audio a lot more.”

Do you have a dream interview? If so, who?

“I love interviewing! I’ve always been a very curious person so speaking directly with the creative source is one of my favorite things to do. I have a ton of dream interviews. At ENVERT we cover independent artists so my list for indie musicians would be Kay Cola, ODDISEE, E-40, Kandi Burruss, Lupe Fiasco…there are so many. As for artists signed to the Big Three I would love to interview, Xavier Omar, Jazmine Sullivan, NAO, Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey but I have an elite team I call my honorary Aunties that I would love to interview but I would probably pass out but I could get a word out that includes Anita Baker, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan and Diana Ross.”

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

“I have several pieces of advice I would like to offer that I pulled directly from my professional journey. First, it’s never too late to start. Even after graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in Journalism and Media Studies I decided to take another path. After hobby blogging for 6 years, I am just now fully embracing my identity as a blogger. Second, you are more than capable of turning your dreams into a reality. You do not need that “journalistic stamp of approval” from a major outlet in order to create amazing content. Research the market, network amongst those actively doing what you want to do, try your ideas out, fail then try again until you succeed. Lastly, understand that you may need to blaze your own path. The ideas you have may not be actualized in this moment, don’t let that deter you from executing on your vision. At one point executives though 106 & Park was a far fetched idea, fast forward to today it is internationally recognized as a culture reset and has influenced all other similar platforms that came after it.”

Why should someone support IEMC?

“People should support the IEMC because we are here solely to support the PEOPLE. As major media outlets continue to layoff and underpay their staff, it is important to us at the IEMC to provide the necessary resources whether financial, referrals, trainings and more to these media figures and journalists in order to help them earn a living off of their craft as a freelancer. Handing control back over to those who if they weren’t here the industry would come to a stand still. That’s why!”

To check out ENVERT’s latest coverage click HERE to visit its official website or follow the site on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can connect with Flisadam Pointer across social including 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!

Media Mogul In The Making: Meet Kiara ‘Kierra Leone’ Wilson

Media mogul in the making, Kiara ‘Kierra Leone’ Wilson. Photo provided by Kierra Leone.

This week’s featured media mogul in the making is a podcast curator and creative director extraordinaire, Kiara ‘Kierra Leone’ Wilson. Wilson is the co-host of the podcast You Go Gurl and our very own director of sponsorships. Get to know Kierra and her professional 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?

“Once upon a time I wanted to be a psychologist/therapist. That dream manifested into me wanting to speak and aid my community on a mass scale. I went on to take up broadcasting and mass comm at the State University Of NY at Oswego. 

The possibility of telling the stories  and shifting the lives of a mass of people is what has always made me appreciate media and journalism.” 

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

“My current platform You Go Gurl Podcast mission is to understand and help tell the stories of inspiring and successful creative black women.”

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

“My proudest media moment is everyday I don’t give up.” 

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

“Always bet on yourself, just never by yourself. Dive head first into your passions with no expectations. Enjoy the ride.”

Support Kierra Leone by streaming or downloading the You Go Gurl podcast by clicking HERE or following the podcast on Twitter and Instagram.

Connect with Kierra Leone across social including 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!

Media Mogul In The Making: Meet Jonathan Ramsey

Media mogul in the making, Jonathan Ramsey. Photo by Anthony Steverson.

This week’s featured media mogul in the making is the founder and editor-in-chief of budding music and entertainment site, What’s The Movement, co-host of the podcast A Side B Side, and our very own director of programming, Jonathan Ramsey. Get to know Jonathan and his professional 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?

“In high school, we had a television station where we produced a news show for our morning announcements. Between being in front of the camera or in the control room I got my feet wet early with media. I was even running our media ministry at my church at that time. When I got out of high school, I originally contemplated public office, but I also didn’t like the idea of politics versus the actual governing. I figured I’d get my bachelor’s degree in Journalism rather than pre-law because if I was still passionate, I could go to law school post-graduation. My parents wanted me to be the black Anderson Cooper and I went the music route instead.”

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

“I attribute my real media start at William Paterson University working at our on-campus radio station WPSC 88.7 FM. During my tenure, Brave New Radio was one of the best college stations in the country and won many IBS awards in addition to an MTV Woodie nomination in 2014. At that time I was DJ-ing, producing and hosting my own show, interning at a few platforms like Vibe magazine covering entertainment, and the Star Ledger covering local stories and policy. I was also writing on my own Tumblr blog now a multimedia brand, WhatsTheMovement.net (WTM). I’d even begin hosting live events and shows. I graduated from Willy P with degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Music Management.”

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

“WTM began on Tumblr where I’d write about mainstream music and whatever I found digging around on SoundCloud during the blog era. I was always passionate about music and played a few instruments in orchestra and marching band. Post high school I’d even study music theory so I knew it’d always be in my life. As I was building a name for myself, I found a lot of local acts would reach out for coverage on my radio show which at the time wasn’t geared towards Hip-Hop and R&B. I got to work on transitioning WTM the blog, to a radio format where we’d talk about mainstream music as well as play music and interview the talented artists local to New Jersey.

Fast forward to today, it’s grown and in addition to the editorial, we host live shows, concerts, a branded podcast, A Side B Side and have a few other programs and web series in pre-production. Our mission today is the same as then, provide an outlet to artists, musicians, and anything moving in New Jersey. Our name asks and answers the question: What’s The Movement? Our audience is eclectic music listeners that want to find the diamond in the rough. People who enjoy talent over popularity in such a saturated market.”

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

“My proudest moment would have to be landing my first big name interview with the late Mac Miller on my radio show. It was only a phone interview but it meant a lot for a younger Ramsey. It was confirmation that I was definitely living in my purpose and blessed that it aligned with my passion. If I had to pick a number two it’s the moment I get to come to the mic and say thank you to the people who have supported our concerts. It’s a lot of work that goes into curating and producing events. The end result is always worth celebrating.”

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

“Learn to become a one-man (woman) band. If you want to stay hired, companies want someone that can do it all. Be open to doing off-beat stories or things your aren’t accustomed to. Everything you want is on the other side of the fear of the unknown. Practice being in front and behind a camera. Learn how to shoot video and high-quality photos. Learn how to edit audio and video. It’s nice to work with a team but oftentimes this journey is lonely.

I hate to sound cliché but good relationships are essential. It really is who you know. Get out from behind that keyboard and phone, and go exist in real life. Network on and offline. Meet artists, fellow media folks, and have fun while you’re doing it. Otherwise, this becomes hard work instead of passion. Listen to all genres of music leisurely in addition for criticism. Lastly, sometimes doors don’t open. Nothing worth having is easy to get to. When you hear the word, ‘no’, but you know you have all the tools, what is your resolve? If you’re not invited to the table don’t be too afraid to build and set your own table. For me, eating a meal on my own has been more fulfilling than at the ‘big’ tables I’ve got to eat crumbs from.”

Support Jonathan Ramsey by visiting What’s The Movement‘s official website whatsthemovement.net and following the site’s official social media including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Connect with Jonathan Ramsey across social including 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!