Today we’d like to introduce you to Benton Aladin.
Hi Benton, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey didn’t begin with connections or capital – it began with clarity. Clarity about the vision of what I wanted to accomplish. While “what” I wanted to do was clear, the “how to get there” was out of focus and the path murky. What I wanted to do indeed was a path paved by so few that the blueprint others had used was a tightly guarded path. A path so tight that I had to craft my own blueprint with each step over time. I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling and its ability to build courage, fortitude, hope and aspirations beyond the environment we live in. Those stories weren’t limiting. Yet my own journey was often challenged with the stories that were told to me.
That belief in the power of storytelling; not for entertainment alone, but for equity, legacy, and transformation, is anchored in a quote that defines everything I do: “Until the lion learns to tell his story, the story will always favor the hunter.” At every stage of my journey, my mission has been clear: to help the lion remember its roar – and to amplify its story so that power, truth, and beauty are no longer sidelined or silenced.
In 2009, I co-founded Generation Nexxt Youth Sports Network, a national platform that gave voice to youth athletes and their families. We’ve aired on CBS, NBC, and FOX Sports South, and proudly host the only Youth Football Super Bowl in the country. We’ve worked with names like Deion Sanders, Snoop Dogg, Jason Taylor, Dwayne Wade, and Twan Russell, and built strong partnerships with the Miami Dolphins and Orange Bowl Committee. More than sports, Generation Nexxt is about building identity, confidence, and community.
Eleven years later, during the pandemic, I launched and executive produced shows for Hope TV, a digital network created to keep the church connected with the communities it served during the crisis. What began as one show, Pastoring in a Pandemic, scaled to 28 weekly programs and reached 120 million views across Apple TV, Roku, YouTube, Facebook, and other major platforms – all in the first five months. Hope TV became a model in a very niche sector for how media can meet the moment and deliver with soul.
Together with my wife, Petal Aladin, I co-founded Shuhari Productions, a company built to produce exceptional film, podcast, and live content. Through this work, our excellence in storytelling and production has garnered 23 Telly Awards, as well as an Emmy-nomination for developing and producing the TV series “Vibrant Health,” a show dedicated to bridging wellness, equity, and media with excellence. That moment was more than an accolade – it was confirmation that purpose-driven content could compete and resonate at the highest levels.
In 2024, I executive produced the feature film “Always, Most of the Time” in partnership with QVH Media, which premiered to a sold-out audience and standing ovation at the 2025 American Black Film Festival – a moment that underscored the power of our stories when told authentically and with excellence.
Today, I’m focused on scaling AMPTV – a global broadcast and digital network built to reach 100 million households across the U.S., Caribbean, and Africa. AMPTV is more than a network: it’s a platform where the lion tells its story, and the world is finally ready to listen.
From podcast like Beauty in the Beast and My Dope Blend to original docu-series, and branded content; everything I touch is about honoring the unheard, building with intention, and creating a media ecosystem using a multi-platform strategy to reach 100 million household, but more than that, I’m building something that speaks truth, reflects excellence, and roars with legacy. The journey hasn’t been an unblemished story. There have been setbacks and “rerouting” along the way, but clarity of where we’re going is certain and creating a blueprint so that others can roar and tell their stories. I am resolute and committed to serving and making a positive impact in this sector. It’s one of the greatest honors of my life. And we are just beginning.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. The road has been anything but smooth – and honestly, I wouldn’t trade the struggle. It’s what built me.
There were seasons where I had the vision, but not the resources. Moments where I was producing for others, watching them rise, while privately wondering if my time would ever come. There were financial hurdles, closed doors, and times when opportunity felt just out of reach – not because I lacked talent, but because I didn’t have access.
And perhaps the hardest part? Along the way, there were people who made commitments that were critical to our success – people who said they would show up, invest, build, or walk the journey with us. But when the moment came, they didn’t deliver. That kind of disappointment can break your heart and your momentum – especially when you’re depending on a team to move something forward that’s bigger than yourself.
But I kept going. I learned to bet on myself, to lead with vision even when the support wasn’t there. I stopped waiting for people to keep promises and started becoming the promise. And I’ve been blessed with a partner like my wife Petal, who believed fiercely in the mission even when everything said “walk away.”
What I’ve learned is this: success doesn’t come from a straight path – it comes from how you walk the crooked one.Every challenge, every betrayal, every detour – all of it sharpened me. All of it taught me how to win without waiting for applause.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love the collaboration that filmmaking and content creation require. Brilliant minds, void of ego, working in alignment to achieve a single goal.
What I’m most proud of and what truly sets me apart is my ability to consistently produce at the highest quality without having access to all the resources others might need. I know how to maximize every dollar, every camera, every team member, and still deliver a final product that feels world-class and impactful. It’s not about having everything – it’s about knowing how to use what you have with intention, excellence, and vision. That mindset has allowed me to compete and win – alongside far larger teams and budgets.
I’m known for turning “impossible” into executable. What truly sets me apart is this: I’m not chasing attention. I’m building infrastructure. I’m not here for a viral moment , I’m building legacy-level systems that give creators, communities, and leaders access, equity, and longevity.
Any big plans?
My focus is to continue collaborating with incredible creatives and amplifying their voices and stories. My vision for the future is clear: to shatter limiting negative narratives and craft stories that connect, heal, and celebrate the boundless possibilities of humanity. I want to remind people of their inherent strength and let their voices resonate far and wide.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://myamptv.com
- Instagram: bentonlaladin
- Facebook: Benton Aladin
- LinkedIn: Benton Aladin
- Twitter: Benton l Aladin
Image Credits
Cawanda Green, Lael Aladin
