By Amanda Moses
On March 16th, the Apollo Theater played host to an inspirational discussion between some of pop culture’s most innovative female trailblazers in a master class teaching high school students about “Attaining a seat at the table.”
Based on Amazon’s bestselling book, “Women Behind the Mic” by LaJoyce Brooksire and Michelle Joyce, the event showcased female veteran executives who work as the driving force for some of pop culture’s most iconic artists. For many of these women they were the first females (and first of color) to shake up the male-dominated industry to cultivate Hip Hop and pop artists like Usher, The Notorious B.I.G., Sean “Puffy” Combs, Prince, and more.
It was fitting that such a discussion took place in the iconic Apollo Theater—the quintessential site of talent, especially black talent, for close to 89 years and the epicenter of the Harlem Renaissance and great migration. The event invited various schools to learn about the entertainment industry from those who functioned as the engine behind many of these artists.
The event also invited George Patterson, the Senior Director of My Brother’s Keeper and My Sister’s Keeper, Hezues R., the founder of Social Impact Content (S.I.C.) Film School, members of New York City Educational Department (DOE), and elected officials.
Flavia Puello-Perdomo, the Chief of Schools for Community Supports and Wellness at the NYC Department of Education (DOE), welcomed guests to the theater and shared that the Chancellor is a firm believer in providing career opportunities for students.
“I’m delighted to be here to honor and celebrate Women’s History Month with all of you. Like the event today, ‘Women Behind the Mic’ with women who have dreams, who have aspirations, and I know for a fact that New York City Public School students have dreams and have aspirations, because I was one of you with dreams and aspirations. So, I believe, and I know that our Chancellor deeply believes that the work of the New York City Department of Education is not just to prepare you for college and career, but to prepare you to live off your dreams to find your voices,” Puello-Perdomo said.
At the master class, nine female entertainment veterans discussed the way in which they broke into the industry, which many of them underscored internships, mentorship, and higher education as critical factors. Moderated by Sirius XM host Swaggy Sie, the event kicked-off with a stream of questions about perseverance, how opportunities came about, and what it was like starting their careers.
Robin Dunn, creator of F.A.C.E. Coach and Choreographer began the discussion by emphasizing the importance of being knowledgeable in whatever facet an individual studies, especially during a time when social media can bring people to the forefront of entertainment before they’ve mastered the necessary experience to do so.
“It’s so important especially nowadays because the magic of social media gets you to a destination so much faster. And then behind the scenes, the individual may or may not have a particular skill set. So, a ballerina untrained would then hurt themselves. So whenever, as far as data is concerned, as far as even approaching anything, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re not going to do it well. You’re not going to do it for long,” Dunn said. “Without having a solid background or whatever you’re doing, again, you’re not going to last, the duration. So, if you want to last for decades in the industry that you’re in, you’ve got to get the training.”
Thembesia Mshaka, an award-winning Hip Hop campaign writer and voice over artist, chimed in and stated that she learned three powerful tools that everyone needs no matter what career path they take, which she learned from a finance author named Carla Harris.
“You need a champion, a sponsor, and a mentor. Okay, so you need somebody who’s gonna speak for you in rooms that you’re not in, you need someone who’s going to provide resources for you, whether that’s money, whether that’s access, whether that’s networking, and those people are your sponsors,” Mshaka said.
Kymberlee Thornton, who works in A&R, Publishing and TV Production, began her career in the 80s in the Hip Hop industry. She shared that she spent long nights at clubs listening to artists and trying to cultivate talent.
“So, when people tell you that you can’t do something, don’t stop there. You’ve heard on this stage that most of us have known each other for years, if not all of us, and we are a tribe. So, the first thing you want to do is build your tribe, that tribe will lead you into the next talent, the next songwriter, the next job, the next opportunity to keep your head held high so that you can get to one of us. If not, many others out there like us, they still haven’t been heard. So, study your craft. And with that, I would also tell you, one thing that I did when I was younger and I was still at performing arts is I started going to the library to look at books that would tell me what was at the record label what those salaries were, where those jobs were located,” Thornton said.
The discussion culminated with Denise Felipe-Adams, the Executive Director Mayor’s Office of Innovation & Emerging Market, who presented three citations for the individuals behind the event, authors LaJoyce Brooksire and Michelle Joyce and producer Lonai Mosely.
“Exposure to the arts helps young people tap into their potential and discover new possibilities. Today I am pleased to join New York Department of Education and Women Behind the Mic and Harlem’s Historic Apollo Theater as they celebrate National Music in our Schools Month and Women’s History Month, and the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop,” part of the citation read. “This event had a career master class for high school students which has been presented by a panel of prominent, vibrant media, entertainment sectors.”
Photos by Amanda Moses
