Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Ford.
Hi Thomas, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, at Grady Memorial Hospital back in the seventies. I will not tell you the exact day because that would probably give away my age. My mother is white, my father is Black, and I was raised in the Black community all my life. That experience shaped my understanding of both worlds and taught me early on how to navigate identity, belonging, and perseverance.
My very first job was at the Buckhead Theater in downtown Atlanta. My mother and stepfather did not want me to work there, though I am not sure why. Maybe they thought I was too young or that making my own money would make me too independent. Either way, that was my first real experience in entertainment, and I loved it. I discovered my passion for theater, performance, and storytelling.
If it had been up to me, I probably would have pursued the entertainment industry right away, but life took me in another direction for a while. It was not until I joined the military that my passion for media truly resurfaced. While serving, I became involved in organizing programs for Black History Month, writing and producing stage shows, and even helping my chain of command put together a gala for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Portugal. That experience reminded me how much I enjoyed bringing people together through creativity, laughter, and performance.
Over the years, I held many different jobs—Burger King, Krystal’s, and Waffle House, among others. But none of them ever felt like they fit. Everything else felt like a chore, but media, creativity, and storytelling came naturally to me. As technology advanced, I decided to dedicate my full time to working and establishing myself in the media business.
The media industry is not easy. It is highly competitive and often cutthroat. Many people want to break in, and some are willing to undermine others just to get noticed. Even those at the top sometimes work to discourage or suppress new voices to protect their own interests. But despite the challenges, I never gave up. My passion has always been stronger than my setbacks. No matter how many times I failed, I kept pushing forward.
I will admit that I am not yet at the level of success I aspire to reach, but I have learned why. I have spent a lifetime helping others before helping myself. I have often put their needs before mine, and while that comes from a place of compassion, I have learned that you cannot truly help others if you do not first take care of yourself. That is where I am now—focusing on my businesses, collaborating with people who share my vision, and working with those who understand that it is possible to agree to disagree respectfully.
We live in a time when many people only value agreement. They like you when you agree with them and dislike you when you do not. Common sense and respectful discussion have become rare, and too many confuse opinions with facts. It shows in our households, our communities, and across the country. Still, I do not let that discourage me. I have learned to keep my focus and protect my peace.
Recently, I published my book “Blood, Soil, The First Generation.” I have also written several others that I have not yet released, including Another Imitation of Life. I have written numerous stage plays such as Ain’t No Sunshine, Pop’s Diner, The Rib Shack, and a special Sanford and Son skit for Black History Month. I have also created television projects like Across the Tracks and FBI Crime & Justice. Writing and creativity have always come naturally to me, and with the addition of AI technology, I have found even more ways to expand that creativity.
My journey is far from over. I do not believe that age defines what you can or cannot learn. I am still evolving, still growing, and still learning something new every day. My appreciation for art, music, and entertainment has only deepened. I am drawn to work that has substance and meaning—music and stories that feed the soul, not just the moment.
I consider myself one of the few people who will not judge others based on appearance, beliefs, or background. I respect people for who they are, and I always do my best to help where I can. But I have also learned that not everyone has your best interests at heart. Walking away from toxic or destructive people has been one of my greatest personal accomplishments.
Throughout my life, I have been mislabeled, misunderstood, and even rejected simply because I do not fit neatly into one box. I have been told I am too light to be Black and too dark to be white. I have faced discrimination, including during my service in the U.S. Navy. One experience stands out—a Black superior officer, Lieutenant Tillery, who made it his mission to make my life difficult. He spread lies and tried to discredit me, but I refused to stay silent. I spoke up loudly and clearly. The truth eventually came to light, and though he was transferred, the experience left its mark.
Despite those challenges, I served my country with honor and pride. When people thank me for my service, my answer has always been the same: It was a privilege to serve. I believe that deeply.
My journey continues today as I work to build something lasting through One Family Media Group and the platforms I have founded—Cribbn.com, Brio, TrillList, Rowvera.com, and the Small Black Business Association (SBBA). I am dedicated to creating opportunities, telling stories that matter, and building platforms where ownership, creativity, and unity can thrive.
While others may focus on tearing things down, I am focused on building. Even when I know that progress can be fragile, I choose to keep creating, because that is what I was born to do. I know that there are too few people who think this way, but I also believe that as long as there are a few of us left, there is hope for real change.
I do not know where the road will lead next, but I know my purpose has always been clear: to create, to build, and to help others find their voice. My story is still being written, and I am determined to make every chapter count.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road at all, but I would not change it. Every struggle, setback, and disappointment has shaped who I am today.
Coming from a mixed background, I experienced challenges with identity from an early age. I was often told I was too light to be Black and too dark to be white. That reality taught me strength, patience, and understanding but also exposed me to the painful truth that not everyone will accept you for who you are.
In the military, I faced moments of racism and unfair treatment, even from those who shared my same skin color. It was difficult, but I refused to stay silent. I learned that standing up for yourself, even when it costs you comfort, builds resilience that lasts a lifetime.
In the media and entertainment world, I quickly discovered that talent alone is not enough. It is an industry full of competition, ego, and politics. I have been cut out of opportunities and overlooked by people who saw me as a threat rather than a collaborator. It is not easy to remain positive in a space where integrity is often undervalued, but my love for creativity and storytelling has always pulled me forward.
Financially and emotionally, there have been seasons where I have given everything I had to help others, often putting their success before my own. Over time, I learned that you cannot pour from an empty cup. To make an impact, you must first build a strong foundation for yourself.
Technology brought new challenges too. As a creator and entrepreneur, I have watched social media platforms limit reach, suppress voices, and profit from the work of people like me without giving fair opportunity in return. But even that struggle led to something good. It inspired me to build platforms like Cribbn.com, Brio, Trillist, and the Small Black Business Association, spaces designed for ownership, opportunity, and growth.
The road has been uneven, but every hardship has fueled my purpose. I have learned that smooth roads never produce strong travelers. The obstacles forced me to grow, to create, and to keep believing in the vision that my purpose is bigger than my pain.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My professional journey has always centered around creativity, communication, and building platforms that empower others. From my early experiences in theater and entertainment to my time in the U.S. Navy, I have always been drawn to work that connects people and tells meaningful stories.
After leaving the military, I knew I wanted to build something lasting—something that reflected my values of ownership, integrity, and community. That led me to form One Family Media Group, LLC, a parent company that oversees several creative and digital ventures focused on media, technology, and economic empowerment.
Under One Family Media Group, I have developed a network of platforms that each serve a unique purpose:
Cribbn.com is a social media and community platform that gives people control of their voices and visibility. It was built to create safe, authentic spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and connection without censorship driven by algorithms.
Brio Network is a multimedia streaming platform for independent creators and storytellers who want to reach audiences without corporate restrictions.
Trillist is a digital marketplace and classifieds platform that helps local entrepreneurs and small businesses connect with their communities.
SBBA (Small Black Business Association) provides education, advocacy, and tools to help Black-owned businesses grow and thrive through collaboration and cooperative support.
Rivera.com represents innovation and media expansion within the entertainment and tech space, extending the reach of One Family Media Group’s creative ecosystem.
My work combines business development, creative production, and community engagement. I focus on building systems that allow people—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to take ownership of their narratives and opportunities.
Over the years, I have written and produced stage plays, television concepts, and books, including my recent publication “Blood, Soil, The First Generation.” I am passionate about storytelling because I believe stories change perspectives and unite people.
Professionally, I have learned that success is not measured by how many doors open for you but by how many you can build for others. Every project I launch has that same purpose—to empower, to educate, and to inspire others to see ownership as the foundation of freedom.
Today, I continue to grow One Family Media Group and its platforms, focusing on innovation, collaboration, and the belief that if we create together, we rise together. My career is a reflection of that philosophy. It is not just about media; it is about legacy.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was curious, imaginative, and always observing the world around me. I was the type of kid who asked a lot of questions not to challenge people, but because I genuinely wanted to understand how things worked and why people thought the way they did. I was fascinated by human behavior, by stories, and by how emotions could move people. That curiosity later became the foundation of my love for writing, storytelling, and media.
I grew up in the Black community, surrounded by strength, creativity, and culture. My mixed background gave me a unique perspective. It allowed me to see life from different angles and helped me develop empathy early on. I learned how to adapt, how to listen, and how to find common ground, even when I felt like I didn’t fit perfectly into one space or another.
I was outgoing in some ways and quiet in others. I loved to make people laugh and enjoyed being part of conversations that made people think. I found joy in music, in plays, and in movies that told stories with real meaning. While other kids might have been drawn to sports or trends, I was drawn to creativity and understanding people’s experiences.
Even as a child, I had a deep sense of fairness. I didn’t like seeing anyone being treated unfairly, and I often spoke up when I saw it. That part of me never changed, it carried over into my adult life and into everything I do professionally.
I have always had a builder’s mindset. Whether it was ideas, relationships, or projects, I liked creating things that could last. I was also a dreamer, but I was grounded enough to understand that dreams require work. Growing up, that mix of imagination and determination shaped who I am today: a creator, a leader, and someone who believes in turning ideas into something real and meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ofggnow.com and https://cribbn.com/Tford
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-ford-5a84b81b3/
