Today we’d like to introduce you to Briyonah McClain.
Hi Briyonah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
A few core memories from my childhood involve climbing trees, getting stitches, and playing the imaginary mom, all while wearing my big sister’s sunglasses or a sparkling belt fashionably tied around my nightgown. I’ve always been curious, creative, and a risk-taker, willing to do things differently. After college, I moved to China with my twin sister, Briyyah, to teach English for a year. Quite the plot twist for a young black woman who had just graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. The experience allowed me to explore parts of the world I never imagined reaching. Despite being far from home, what I knew that year helped prepare me for what lay ahead.
Following my time in China, I moved to the Big Apple to take on what I’d like to call my first “big girl job.” In my role as an event marketing manager at Shea Moisture, I quickly discovered my inherent passion for lifestyle, branding, and community building. I leveraged this experience to transition into brand marketing/management where I developed a love for content creation via social media. That’s when I began to take on freelance opportunities with popular brands, including Dunkin Donuts, Sunny D, and BLK & Bold.
During the pandemic, my creativity flourished even further. I co-founded The Layout with Emily Anadu & friends as a way to bring the Black community together for unified rest and connection in Fort Greene Park. Today, The Lay Out has expanded to provide safe spaces for Black NYC residents to engage in joy-filled experiences among community outside of our inaugural Juneteenth event. Although I now reside in Atlanta and call this place home, New York City changed my life, grew my career, and used my creativity for good.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Life presents its fair share of challenges, and I’ve certainly encountered my own rocky road. My harshest critic? Without a doubt, it’s myself. This tendency often leads me to stand in my own way, navigating each step with careful calculation—a habit born from deeper roots, for sure (lol).
From weathering corporate layoffs to brushing off workplace microaggressions as a Black woman, battling imposter syndrome, mental well-being, and grappling with the never-ending question of readiness for greater opportunities, my journey has been anything but smooth sailing. Each of these experiences has provided me with some sort of armor, allowing me to push through the clutter that is my mind. Despite it all, trekking a rocky road is the path worth taking. I can take on the world now!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m employed full-time in brand management at Sharpie. My typical day involves developing marketing strategies, identifying opportunities in the marketplace, and collaborating on various creative projects (which I thoroughly enjoy)!
Outside of work, I immerse myself in social media management, photography, and creating digital designs for clients. I’m also a content creator with blogs focusing on unique restaurants/foods, fashion, and lifestyle. Throughout the year, I partner with multiple brands to demonstrate how I seamlessly integrate their products into my everyday life, providing insight into my personal style and lifestyle. This is what I’m most known for. With an innate creativity, I’ve cultivated a reputation for my unique style and ability to embrace diverse cultures in my work.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Of course, most of the credit goes to my family! Especially my mom, Regina McClain, and my siblings, NaKeerah Peterson, Jawhon Moye, and my fraternal twin, Briyyah McClain. Collectively, I’ve watched them make many sacrifices. Their individual growth has served as a guiding light for me.
My tribe—Karima Prince, Calvin Green, Tavaya Davis, Jenae Green, Chiana Johnson, Rachel La Touche, Khiry Peterson, and Michael Oloyede—have all been super instrumental in my life. Surviving New York would have been practically impossible without them. They’ve kept me grounded and kept it real! Need a motivational speaker? It’s them. Want to feel challenged? How far are you willing to go? Want to go places you’ve never heard of? They’re ready to book! Honestly, truly—I couldn’t ask for better friends.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewowfactor_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briyonah-bri-mcclain-a310312a/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thechowfactor/
Image Credits
Don Hansen
Hamadi Prince
