Life and Work with Anna D

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna D.

Anna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I first started getting into media and radio, I was only 17 years old and it was more like an accident. Four years later, at 21, I see I have found my calling. At the time, I was just a sales associate for DTLR at Southlake Mall, and that’s when I got the news that DTLR was having its first fashion show in Atlanta, and I was looked to for covering SnapChat for DTLR media. My store manager, KeJuan McGee, literally kept urging me to do it and continued to tell me that I would do great! So, I did it. Fast forward to the show, somehow, I ended up having to cover interviews for the event, but that all came as a surprise. I was completely shocked when I had to prepare myself for my first interview— Lucci. At the time, he just dropped “Wish Me Well 2” and all I could think about was, “DO NOT MESS THIS UP!” But as soon as I touched that mic, and got in front of the camera, I fell absolutely in love. So, since April 2016, I have been very involved in media and radio from a birthday bash to car and bike show, to celebrity in-stores, and more! That day changed my life. I went into college a Pre-Med Biology major, and I was so unhappy, all because medicine was no longer where my heart and mind were. I finally took that big step, followed my gut and my heart, and changed my major to Communication and have been building on my career since. A lot of people see me at my age now and believe that I am lucky and that this happened overnight. However, I have been doing this for years, hosting shows, interviewing, networking day in and day out, doing everything I can to make sure Anna D is known. I genuinely did start at a point of being unnoticed and seemingly unappreciated, but through me sharpening my skills and wanting more for MYSELF, I demanded and finally got the respect I deserved. I absolutely love what I do. I can be me in every shape, form, and fashion.

Has it been a smooth road?
Honestly and truly, it has not been a smooth road. Though it wasn’t the roughest, it was definitely not smooth. But, unlike others, the struggle was not with the climb in my career or not being able to complete the tasks to the best of my ability— I struggled a lot with confidence. I did not believe I was good enough for this industry to be honest. I struggled with the idea that I could do something other than a 9-5 and be successful and happy. I was one of those straight As all throughout grade school, graduating with a 4.43 GPA, going to be the next big physician/athletic trainer, find a nice wholesome man, great family, ton of friends, and saw drugs and alcohol as bad and disruption to the mind, lol. But, nothing was going the way I envisioned. So, I constantly battled with being uncomfortable. I was uncomfortable with no longer having control over what I wanted to do between medicine or media. I was uncomfortable with the lack of support I had from friends. I was uncomfortable with the change that was happening out of my control. Not only that, but I was also dealing with anxiety—very bad. I could probably remember about 6-8 anxiety attacks a day just because of the stress and expectations others had for me and that I had for myself. I was never lucky with the guys, so relationships always went left— it actually made me feel worse about myself. I didn’t talk to majority of people I graduated high school with, I lost friends in college, and my family was too far, so I felt alone. I went through those anxiety attacks alone too, so at one point, I just wanted to be done— not with life, just with feeling less than worthy. But, after one day, God spoke to me and I looked myself in the mirror and realized, I am in control of my life. I am in control of who I let bother my spirit. I am in control with who I let affect my emotions I let affect the things I thought about myself. I am the only person in control of all of these things. I had to learn to run my race, let go of anyone holding me back, protect my peace, and run my race.

I encourage all women and girls who are now starting this journey to keep believing in themselves. Don’t look to the girl who gets 5k+ likes on Instagram and doesn’t compare your motion to another person’s motion. Your speed does not have to be their speed. A lot of times, young girls get discouraged in this field because they may not see themselves as qualified or even old enough to compete with those already making a name for themselves. I know I did. A lot of women in this industry are good, grown, strong women. And here I am, barely old enough to buy my own movie ticket, thinking I can compete with the big dogs. Comparing myself to where they are and neglecting the fact that there is sooo much more life ahead of me. I am young and doing amazing! I have literally stamped myself and a name for myself. I gave myself the stamp of approval and didn’t think twice to look for someone else to approve what God has already approved and ordained over my life. So, I advise any girl, or boy, to look themselves in the mirror daily, I speak out what you have accomplished and speak into existence what you will accomplish next. Don’t look to see what someone else has accomplished and don’t say you want to be where they are. Work hard and go further than where they are. Be your own role model. Learn yourself first, because then, no one will be able to stop you.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Anna D TV – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Well, Anna D TV is the big branch of everything that is in store. I am a media and radio personality and have been a media correspondent for DTLR for about 3-4 years now. I will go to their events they hold in Atlanta from concerts, to celebrity in-stores and meet-and-greets, to football camps, basketball tournaments, charity events,etc., and connect and engage with their social media followers. I would cover the event from start to finish and connect with their followers and make them feel apart of the ongoing event. I do model on the side, but it is not my passion. Another passion of mine, however, is an event host. I have hosted events from pageants to artists showcases, to fashion shows, talent competitions, and smaller seminars. I was also a radio host on Georgia Southern’s Campus radio show, “The Catch Up” on 91.9 The Buzz. And I aspire to soon be over the airwaves in Atlanta. I am most proud of the two brands I am now developing. One of which, I just held a women’s seminar and vision board party called, “Finding the Key” which was a bonding, women empowerment, and goal-focused event to help women find THEIR key to success that I am soon going to be expanding into high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, in my community.

What sets me apart from others is that I use my voice, life experiences, and positivity to invest in and influence not only the youth but also my generation and those before me. I believe in myself, tried and tried and tried, and fought my way up to a ladder even for people who did not believe in me, who tried to sabotage my work and my future, and who disregarded me and did not see me worthy enough to be what I am and what I will be. But, I did not sit and cry. I smiled through it all thanks to the family and friends and team I do have that fought for me and helped keep me afloat. Being a media and radio personality is more than just speaking on topics going on in the world, or my community or the latest music dropped by the newest artist. It is the gateway to people’s minds, hearts, and ears. Pursuing this career as a personality will allow my voice to be heard. Along with the actions and events I have already done and will continue to do, I can redirect the minds of those before, with, and after me, to see that there is so much More to Life than what we see. I want people to see that the time we have now is precious and we must believe in ourselves and in the life we want for ourselves far beyond what the eyes can see. I am compelled to use my voice, drive, faith, and ambition to encourage others to reach for greatness. I am determined to reach my goals in order to have my voice and influence heard over the masses of people. I want to give young minds, like myself, the confidence to see you do not have to wait until you are in your late twenties, or thirties, to be well into your career, to invest in yourself, to write checks for people working for you or for organizations you are donating to, or to see that you do not have to wait until you are a well-known public figure in order to make changes in your community and to soar in your career choice. Everything flourishes from the root. If we do not properly comfort, teach, and ensure our youth with the tools to be strong, confident, encouraged, and excited for growth and success, then it would be even harder for generations after them to grow and soar. I envision myself being a strong, influential media and radio personality leaving a mark on every person I come into contact with in any shape, form, or fashion—and nothing else but that.

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I honestly don’t have much advice in finding a mentor because mine gave up on me. I had one for a brief moment, and shortly after, I reached out in a time of need and struggle and got no response. Before then, I had no mentor. I managed myself, booked myself, and worked for myself. Now, I’m slowly starting to get one. But, it is happening unexpectedly. I won’t tell anyone that it’s mandatory to have a mentor or role model in your field, because I didn’t. I had no one I aspired to be like, or who inspired me to want to be on the radio. It’s something God told me years ago and when I finally got to the point of understanding what it was he was telling I am set out to do, I took it and believed in Him and that I could do this. That worked for me. My self-fuel works best for me because I am not dependent on anyone else to manifest their belief, support, and encouragement into me. I am the only person in control of my life and my destiny. Networking, however, is essential. Networking can do nothing but make life easier. Building connections with people is a lifelong thing everyone should partake in. If you want to brand yourself and you want your brand to grow and succeed, then you have to go out and interact.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Instagram.com/annadofficial
• Twitter: Twitter.com/annadofficial
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbTa0moUVjoYYxMez3Ibgg

Image Credit:
Photographer: IG @tayrose4real

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