Today we’d like to introduce you to Miko Evans. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Miko “Meak” Evans is a Full Time Artist-Entrepreneur with over 25+ Years of experience in Music Entertainment Management, Performing Arts, Creative Design, Marketing & Advertising, New Media Consulting, Small Business & Community Advocacy. Through his entrepreneurship and innovation, he has created and produced countless Branding Identities, Remix Projects, Special Events, and Marketing Campaigns for some of the nation’s newest small businesses, indie recording artists, and major non-profit organizations.
Born Miko Antonio Evans on November 15, 1971 in Atlanta, Georgia, he was raised as an only child by his mother, Daisy Evans in Southwest ATL. A lover of music, Miko began preparing for his music career at his home church, Walker’s Tabernacle Baptist, where he was a member of the Junior & Youth 4 Christ Choir at the age of six. Also, during his childhood, he attended Mary Agnes Jones Elementary School, where he majored mostly in performing arts as a vocalist in the School Chorus. During his last year at M Agnes, he was selected to sing in the citywide Atlanta Elementary Symphony Chorus under the direction of the late William “Billy” Densmore, Director of the former Northside School Of The Arts (now known at North Atlanta High School).
Though he attended 2 High Schools as a result of his mother moving into neighborhoods with different school districts at the time, his last years were spent at Northside High School of the Performing Arts, where he was a member of the Advanced Mixed Chorus and Choral Ensemble as a Bass Vocalist. He also received vocal training in Classical Music and Music Theory. His solo career came into focus when he performed his first solo piece at the 1988 Advanced Mixed Chorus Concert. He graduated in June of 1989.
After high school graduation, Miko attended the Art Institute of Atlanta Fall of that year where he majored in Music Entertainment Management. While attending, he received in-depth training and education in Audio Recording-Engineering, Concert Production, Television Production, Copyright Law, Songwriting & Music Publishing, Marketing & Advertising, and Business Management. His highlight was in March of 1991 when he hosting and conducting a “live” TV interview with Jazz recording legend George Howard at the National Academy’s Grammy’s In The Schools Workshop at Grady High School in Midtown Atlanta, which featured Music legends Jermaine Jackson and The Indigo Girls. Also, during this period, he taught himself Graphic Design as a result of being around other design students and having access to the software programs. He received his Music Business Degree on March 22, 1991.
Miko was introduced to other forms of community advocacy when he became a resident of the first public housing development in America, Techwood / Clark Howell Homes (now known as Centennial Place) in May of 94. He was elected the 1st young Executive Secretary for the Techwood / Clark Howell Residents’ Association and served on the HOPE VI/URD Planning Committee for the redevelopment of Public Housing citywide. He also attended the Techwood Resident Success Motivational Institute, one of the 1st Programs under the HOPE VI / URD Grant, awarding him certification in Leadership Development, Personnel Training, and Motivational Speaking.
This moment was also the beginning of his long-awaited dream to officially launch his own business. He received his business license for M.A.E. & Associates on February 10, 1995, while still doing community work with TCH for low-income residents. Miko was very instrumental in assisting new small businesses with their start–up phase of operation. While providing Creative Design Consulting, Performances, and Entertainment solutions for others through his new business, Miko made history when the Atlanta Housing Authority awarded him his first major consulting contract for their Work 96’ Employment Fair, where he created the Branding image and the T-Shirt Design. He had around seven consulting contracts with them from 96 – 2000.
Towards the end of the 90’s, Miko continued to pursue his passion and build his new business. By 1999, he had up to 20+ small business clients and customers. He continued his journey till 2003 when he changed the name of his business to The MAE Corporation USA (MAE Corp) to reflect the growth, evolution, and future of his entrepreneurial vision. That same year, one of his customers and former grade school classmate, L. A. John Tre approached Miko about sharing booth space with him on Labor Day Weekend at In The Life Atlanta’s Annual Black Gay Pride celebration. While preparing and meditating on what to present during black pride, the vision of creating the world’s 1st LGBTQ EXCLUSIVE Talent Agency & Production Company was conceived. Excited about the concept, the first informational website for Meak Productions, Inc. was launched that early summer. Miko wanted to change the way LGBTQ people was represented in the media by showcasing a more equal, diverse, and inclusive presentation of talent that represented ALL IMAGES of the LGBTQ Community.
In Late Summer 2009, Meak Productions signed a syndications partnership with TAMG, and thus its 1st LGBTQ Radio Talk Show was born called Same Gender Loving Expressions, which featured two pilot episodes in August and a weekly show starting every Monday night in September. Through this new deal, Meak Pro became the 1st LGBTQ Partner & Liaison for TAMG, and TAMG became Meak Pro’s 1st Straight Ally, a partnership that is still lasting till the present day.
Meak Productions was the 1st in Atlanta to do LIVE Radio Recordings and Remotes for many major LGBT grassroots and non-profit organizations, along with sponsoring many LGBTQ events for major club promoters.
In 2011, Miko made LGBTQ history again when he was informed by Xtreme Entertainment of a major collaboration for that year’s Atlanta Black Pride, which was approaching 15. Excited about the historical value of this moment, Miko decided to host and produce a Black Pride Press Conference featuring all major black LGBT organizers and club promoters.
The press conference and radio show became such a success that Miko was requested to do it again. Miko decided to create a special division for any and all things for the Black LGBTQ Community; thus History of Black Gay America was born by way of the Atlanta Chapter. The official National brand launched completely in January 2016 with the election of our 1st Lady, Angela Hutchins. In 2023, History of Black Gay America became its own official non-profit organization, with plans to develop chapters in other cities.
To date, Miko has a Design and Business Portfolio that spans 28 years, with 15 years’ worth of Media Productions to add to that. Additionally, via both companies, he has a total of 8 syndicated radio shows, with three simultaneous online TV shows.
Meak Productions celebrated its 20th Conceptual Anniversary in May 2023, where an Anniversary mixer was held at Atlanta City Hall, sponsored by Councilwoman Keisha Waites. During this occasion, Miko was awarded 2 City Proclamations and a State Resolution by GA. State Representative Park Cannon.
Now celebrating 28 years in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Miko’s future plans is to take his two business visions and concepts to the International level that it deserves and hopefully pass the torch to other promising, passionate youth and young adult leaders.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Between Grade School and entering into High School, Miko was often teased and bullied due to the fact that he was not the “typical” young boy who was into sports; he was into the arts, at the time he was more around girls and because his favorite superhero happened to be Wonder Woman, which is when rumors about his sexuality started. Though not publicly out, he came to terms with his sexual identity in the 10th Grade, around 1986.
Though he grew up in church most of his life, he was often bullied and teased at his home church until he was high school age. Also, he experienced his first church hurt experience during the early 90s when he changed his denomination from Baptist to COGIC (Pentecostal).
Being a black gay male who is a full-time Artist/Entrepreneur was not an easy road, being born and raised in the bible belt / confederate south. It even took years before I was excepted in the community I was meant to serve.
As you know, we’re big fans of Meak Productions, Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Meak Productions, Inc. is the World’s 1st LGBTQ EXCLUSIVE Talent Agency & Production Company, now celebrating its 20th Conceptual Anniversary. We were certified as an Official LGBTQ Business Enterprise by the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce of Washington D.C. in 2021. Our Founder, Miko Evans, was awarded 2 City Proclamations for his work with the company, the LGBTQ Community at large and for his 25+ years in Entrepreneurship and Innovation on May 5, 2023, along with a State of Georgia Proclamation /Resolution.
Meak Productions has made history in multiple ways, not just with the Agency itself but in various arenas related to the LGBTQ Community and Entertainment Management. This Vision was the 1st to produce an All-Inclusive LGBTQ Calendar worldwide; the 1st online media outlet of its kind in Atlanta to introduce and provide Radio Media Sponsorships for various organizations nationally via our indie syndicated radio& podcast shows; the 1st to present Out Indie LGBTQ Artists/Actors on a level of professionalism that other Agencies don’t focus on, and a host of other historic accomplishments. Via our Annual Quarterly Agency Campaigns, we present talents in a collective and professional way that makes the public pay special attention to the Talent, their brand and image. As of the present date, we are the ONLY Agency that produces these types of campaigns, which have now become a Signature Staple of the Meak Productions Vision.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Understanding the difference between a business networking event and a network social is KEY! Business networking events normally happen during normal business hours either in the Morning or Afternoons.
Network socials are for socializing and personal gatherings, usually not business-related.
Make sure that whatever networking event you attend that it’s in line with your intended goals for your business growth.
ALWAYS network because people won’t know who you are and that you exist without it.
In finding a mentor or business coach, get with something who gets YOU and can see you for what you are worth. Not making you a carbon copy of them.
Finally, NEVER be afraid of change and reinvention. As you mature and grow personally, your business grows as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.meakproductions.lgbt
- Instagram: instagram.com/meakproductions
- Facebook: facebook.com/meakproductions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meakproductions/
- Twitter: twitter.com/meakproductions
- Youtube: youtube.com/meakproductionstv
- SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/meakproductions
- Other: mixcloud.com/meakproductions
Image Credits
Photos courtesy of SlingShots-Atlanta, A-Squared Visual Media, Peach Media, Meak Pro Media and various photographers.
