This week’s featured media mogul is the owner of ThaGreyMatter, Breona Garrison. Learn more about Breona’s creative 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 came across journalism in high school and it was really the creative aspect of storytelling that really piqued my interest. The way individuals could use words and phrases to express ideas or real-life stories was fascinating and for the most part, inspiring. Once I got to college, I saw how many individuals used media every day to express themselves which really was the spark for branching out on my own and creating TGM.”  

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

“I studied Communication in college and also pursued a few media-related internships. I was an editorial intern at both XXL and Seventeen Magazines while also completing another internship at smaller publication, QuirkyDaily. I also wrote poems and short stories, now what I would consider blog posts, in my own time. Writing allowed me to find my peace and home within the media field while the internships gave me the exposure to other like-minded individuals who gave me the push I needed.” 

Tell us about your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?

“I launched Thagreymatter or TGM in April 2015 and the main mission of it was to create a dynamic platform for artists where their work is highlighted and celebrated. The goal was to create a platform specifically for artists in the Tri-State area to express themselves freely. This included events in both New Jersey and New York; both of which allowed artists an opportunity to show their talents live. TGM’s audience includes all artists who have something tangible to share such as rappers, singers, poets, comedians, actors and actresses. Even though that is the primary audience, I choose to remain open to anyone who consider themselves creative and has something to offer the world.”

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

“My proudest personal media moment would be my event at the Nuyorican Poets Café. I grew up with an understanding that this venue was powerful for not just poets but all artists. I was thankful to be able to host an event there and bring artists I had worked with from all over the Tri-State into one space and a knowingly famous one. I was also proud of TGM’s first cypher that I was able to premiere for the crowd. It was a moment of raw talent and collaboration, which I have always felt was my most beautiful moment yet.”

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

“The biggest piece of advice I would give someone else who is looking to enter the field is be careful with the words you use to speak to yourself. Often times we tell ourselves we can’t do something or give reasons why we will fail. If you are pursuing anything within in media, it is important to first nurture the relationship you have with yourself. It will fuel how you interact with others and how you get things done. Truth of the matter is, you can do anything you want to do, as long as you believe it.”

Connect with Breona Garrison on Instagram and Twitter. Stay connected with ThaGreyMatter across social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

This week’s featured media mogul is the founder and publisher of Modern Stitches Magazine, Ashley Scarboro. Learn more about Ashley’s creative 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’d like to say that journalism found me! I’ve always loved fashion in all capacities, but it wasn’t until my junior year of undergraduate school [where I was a sociology student at the time] that I realized that number 1, I had been decorating my walls each year with magazine ads and number 2, I was naturally a talented writer.

It was in that moment I decided to graduate and further pursue my graduate degree in publishing with a focus on magazine editing. During that time, I interned at Vibe Magazine and developed my own digital magazine at the same time. The rest is history now.”

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

“I kind of dove headfirst into media. Once I entered graduate school, I learned more than just journalism and the fundamentals of running an amazing magazine. I made priceless connections and interned as much as possible. As previously mentioned, I interned at Vibe Magazine several times per week. I also volunteered as a Production Assistant for Mercedes Fashion Week for five seasons, and through consistencies with the magazine, other media opportunities appeared. Modern Stitches became an official media partner of NYFW in 2017, styled and conducted several fashion tv news segments, and even covered Black Girls Rock! I never studied communications, a simple network and follow up can take you places you wouldn’t believe!”

Tell us about your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?

“For the past seven years, I have been the Founder and Publisher of Modern Stitches Magazine. It is a digital streetwear and vintage publication where we strive to celebrate individualism, highlight fashionable content and is a blueprint to all things sustainable. We have several thousand visitors who visit our website monthly and that usually consists of fashion enthusiasts, mostly women and those looking to find locations to shop vintage in their local areas.”

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

“Every opportunity I receive is a proud moment because they aren’t given to everyone! However, if I have to chose it would most definitely be the release of our very first print issue in 2017. The Vintage Rebellion Issue. Holding those copies of what was once just a figment of my imagination showed me that truly, anything is possible.”

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

“Some great advice I would give to those interested would be to be consistent, persistent, but considerate. This can be a tough field to navigate and I’ve received a ton of no’s, but understand that there are yes’s on the way! I always say, make sure to humanize everyone. Sure you may run into or work with celebrities but they’re no better than you. They have a schedule and so do you so use your time and their time wisely. Always Always Always show up and do your best and everything else will fall into place!”