Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Davis. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Stephanie received her start in media as a writer for a national comedy publication. It was then she realized how much she loved to write compelling content that empowered others. That opportunity led her to start her own publication (WE) Empower Magazine in 2015. In 2018, she later added to her publishing portfolio with an additional digital publication, Hustle and Soul Magazine, and OurBlk™️ Creatives. Today, she advocates and gives a voice to women who find themselves struggling to pursue something greater than themselves. As an Award-winning publicist, serial entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and journalist, Stephanie works with many brands, business owners, and celebrities by helping them strategize, plan, and execute PR campaigns. Both Stephanie’s personal and professional experiences have positioned her to be experienced in and share knowledge in the areas of business, marketing, social empowerment, pursuing purpose, and more! Stephanie has been featured in Rolling Out Magazine, TV One’s Sister Circle, ACHI Magazine, Formidable Women Magazine, Medium, Pretty Women Hustle Magazine, ShoutOut Atlanta, AspireTV, and FoxSoul TV!
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?
Once I started Empower Magazine, things shifted for me. Finding ways to finance my vision was a challenge at first. But I became creative with ways to bring in revenue. While working in corporate America, I allowed my career to finance my vision.
When I started my business, there were very real risks. There was that uncertainty as to whether business would come in and projects would be sustained, but I knew God was leading me to it. He opened a way to do it that started me off with a small seed of faith and it only grew from there.
My sense of purpose has only strengthened through the years. I started my business with a vision to make a difference and work on projects that matter. I work with many who have a real heart and mission behind them. They affect lives through their work.
I’m not just living my passion; I’m also pursuing a greater purpose.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m the CEO & Principal Publicist of Empower Media Group. I also am the Publisher of WE Magazine, Hustle and Soul Magazine, OurBlk™️, Black Media Honors™️, Founder of Black Influencers Guild & the Our Sole Purpose™️ 501c3 nonprofit organization, owner of The Elle Elle Collective luxury lifestyle brand and SCORE.org Business Mentor. Tenacity, perseverance, hard work, and a relentless desire to rise above my past has allowed great success as an executive and entrepreneur. Believing that if I can, others can too, Therefore, I now seek to empower the masses; To help break those cycles and ceilings, to banish those “labels” and to pursue their divine purpose through God-centered leadership.
From teleseminars to keynote addresses, with topics formulated to fit the audience and needs, Participants walk away with a sense of confidence, empowered and driven to action. A recognized leader, I have hosted empowerment events and numerous functions under the Empower umbrella. Additionally, I served as a speaker, panelist, thought leader for Mercer University Business Department, Old Dominion University, Clark Atlanta University, and the Art Institute of Atlanta.
I’m proud of many things because every accomplishment is evidence that God’s favor has gone before me! I partnered with TV One to bring to life the first editorial cover for the national, all-African-American women talk show, Sister Circle. This project inspired the development of other concepts including custom-created dolls; branding the Sister Circle editorial as a historical publicity move. Since then, Davis has worked with the likes of Wendy Racquel Robinson, Dr. Cindy Trimm, Tami Roman, Q Parker, Brely Evans, Common, Dr. Jamal Bryant, Mona Scott-Young, Anthony Hamilton, David Banner, and more.
At the closing edge of the pandemic, I produced the Inaugural Black Media Honors which aired on Aspire TV and was later picked by FOX SOUL as a part of their regular programming. This was definitely major for us & our team pulled it off. We’re super excited as we prepare for Black Media Honors 2023 in April.
What sets me apart is that I’m purpose-driven and not money driven! As a Business Mentor. Tenacity, perseverance, hard work, and a relentless desire to rise above my past has allowed great success as an executive and entrepreneur. Believing that if I can, others can too; it is my sole desire to empower the masses; To help break cycles and ceilings, to banish those “labels” and to help others pursue their divine purpose through God-centered leadership.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the aftermath of high-profile killings of Blacks at the hands of police, the United States is undergoing a powerful reckoning on the issue of race, permeating virtually all areas of life and business. Public relations and adjacent fields like marketing and advertising are no exception. Our industries must move faster to close gaps in hiring, retention, and promotion.
Achieving progress on racial disparity means executives need to step further into territory that’s been uncomfortable for them. There have been positive signs of change with some top firms committing in certain terms to hire more senior leaders of color in the very near term. Still, many executives have largely played it safe, making vague commitments and in some cases only giving lip service to one of the defining issues of our era.
This approach may have sufficed in the past, but simply won’t cut it in the current moment we face. More diverse voices mean more stakeholders guiding companies to take meaningful, measurable steps to help battle the racial pitfalls that continue to hold America back.
Companies need to focus on wider and stronger partnerships, for example with historically Black colleges and universities and ethnic communications organizations. When people of color, particularly younger people, enter an organization they’re often overlooked by senior executives as potential mentees and don’t get access to the same level of grooming and talent development. Leaders must bring employees of color into the fold to cultivate their skills and leadership attributes.
The Media & PR industry must embrace an inclusive culture to attract and retain the next generation of leaders of color. Making real diversity, equity, and inclusion progress requires entrepreneurial thinking and meaningful action!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theempowermedia.com www.blackmediahonors.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/blackmediahonor?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits
Media Girls Network
Antoinne Duane Jones
Getty Images
