Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Ashley Bryant.
Morgan Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The start of my “Atlanta history” begins in 2009, when I moved here from Oakland, CA. I moved from The Bay Area on sort of a whim. I had never heard anything bad about Atlanta and the city offered everything I wanted, it was black, queer and inexpensive. I came here with about 600 dollars and didn’t know a single person so my first few months here were super uncomfortable. One of the first things I started was a blog called Oaklanta, it’s how I got my name and brand. I would write about the things in Atlanta that reminded me of Oakland, making comparisons at times. Since 2009, I have been involved in too many things to remember but a few things have been constant, fashion and any platform that would allow me to run my mouth!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth was the opposite of my transition to Atlanta! There were days when after paying my rent I only had enough money for boxed mac and cheese. Regardless of how difficult and lonely my early Atlanta years were, I promised myself that I would not leave until I felt like I had accomplished what I came here to do. If I could advise young women moving here, I would tell them a few things. Respect the people and the history that came before you, find a tribe of genuine women that you can lean on for support, trust your instincts, and work your ass off for whatever it is that you are trying to build. Atlanta needs more badass women!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am the head of operations and PR for The Bohemian Brands. Our company includes Bohemian Eats (Food Blog with a focus on Atlanta cuisine), Brown Bohemians (a coffee table book highlighting the magic of brown communities that will be published by PowerHouse Books), Souk Bohemian (an online lifestyle apparel and accessories brand), along with The Native Bohemian (a modern BnB and global marketplace). My role in our brand balances what my partner Vanessa Coore creates. She does a beautiful job curating our brand and telling our story. Most of what I do is operational. Although I am very much a creative, I prefer to do things that are methodical and keep our brand moving along. Vanessa will have a dope idea and I will figure out a way to make it happen, keeping in mind cost and sustainability. On the PR side, I consider myself the connector of dots. I pride myself on being able to talk to anyone and create opportunities where they may not have been. As if I don’t have enough to do I am also starting a podcast called “Oaklanta Talks”, it’s launches this spring.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
In general, the biggest barrier for all brown women globally is white supremacy. Point blank, period.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebohemianbrands.com/
- Email: morgan@thebohemianbrands.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/
oaklantathebohemian, @ soukbohemian, @oaklantatalks
Image Credit:
Kelley Raye
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