Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayra Clouden.
Hi Kayra, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised on the beautiful island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. After leaving home for college, I attended the University of New Haven in West Haven, CT where I received degrees in TV/Video Production and Digital Media.
Upon my college graduation, I completed internships with the Jerry Springer & Steve Wilkos show, an internship with Lionsgate in Cannes, France during the 71st Cannes Film Festival and an internship with G/O Media (Formerly Gizmodo Media Group) where I was ultimately hired as an Associate Producer at one of their sites, Jezebel, and I moved to New York to start my career.
During my time in New York, I created a web series called ADULTIN’ with friends, was hired as the Development Assistant at MTV/VH1 and delivered a TEDx Talk at Lincoln University.
I have since moved to Atlanta, GA and I’m now an Associate Producer working across the Love & Hip Hop Franchise in addition to a few other VH1 shows.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This is less of a road and more of a rollercoaster with insane highs, steep lows and plenty of loopty-loops.
I’ve experienced burnout, imposter syndrome, and grief in addition to extreme bliss, gratitude beyond measure, love in unimaginable ways and more.
I was super determined to be successful in my field, which made me feel like I had to do everything all at once and be everything to everybody. Once the pandemic hit, I realized how very tired and depressed I had become since I started my journey and realized it was time to make a change,
I’ve since decided to put myself first in every aspect of my life and make sure I’m having a well-rounded experience as opposed to a life that’s SO focused on working and my career.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is rooted in turning ideas into reality and utilizing different mediums to express my truth.
My bread & butter is television production and development where my strength is being able to conceptualize unique ideas and present them to my team in ways that everyone can get down with.
I’d say this is what really sets me apart the most. I understand that my power is rooted in my lived experience as a Black woman from the U.S. Virgin Islands and I allow my experiences through life to inspire me
In addition to making TV, I also paint, write, act, model, edit, do yoga & pole dancing, and I’m an aspiring DJ – I loooove music!
There’s really no limit to my creativity and I allow myself to explore whatever my heart desires and use those experiences to influence my art
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have a pretty dark sense of humor – it may be how I process trauma? Idk. But I tend to deal with the lows of life by finding the silver lining & that’s usually comedy for me
I also rap and I’m going to release an EP one day!
Contact Info:
- Email: kayrajcloud@gmail.com
- Website: www.kayrajay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayrajay/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kayrajay
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQIaJhKA9FaVaRserRpTopg
Image Credits:
Liquan Cruz Amani Nowell Gio Roper Kristopher Raul Guzman
