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Exploring Life & Business with Christi Henry of Join The Group Chat Sis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christi Henry.

Hi Christi, 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?
Where should I begin🤔 Wheeeew Chiiile this is my third career! I can pat myself on my back for being resilient and determined to pursue a career in every industry I’ve had an interest in… radio, marketing/advertising, and television. Having to start from the bottom transitioning into the television production industry, as a single mom, was not easy. Lots of support, prayers, and the power of our ancestors… Mama, I made it! This industry can eat you alive and/or be very rewarding. I’m so proud to see Black women in positions that allow us to tell our stories. I mean, who can tell our stories better than us? Hellooo!? We still have some mountains to climb … because racism is real, Sis. My experience impacted me in ways I didn’t expect. Working as a true-crime producer opened my eyes to unimaginable circumstances of male and female detainees who were, as most described it, at the lowest point of their lives. I was forced to reevaluate this county’s criminal justice system, realize the lack of mental health resources compounds the criminal justice system, and empathy, sympathy, and compassion goes a long way.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No indeed! Uhhh, racism, sexism, misogyny, and their cousin who is always forgotten, nepotism. I don’t believe Black women travel a smooth road within their career and/or entrepreneurship. We must work two, three, four times harder to combat the stereotypes.

We’ve been impressed with Join The Group Chat Sis, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I guess I can describe myself as a true-crime producer\wellness advocate. Recently, we witnessed the resurgence of BLM and heard many conversations centered around racism. Racism in the workplace where we must work harder than Mediocre Megan, racism in the schools we entrust our children will be nurtured and supported rather than criminalized. Racism in restaurants we frequent for a good meal, good drink, and relax. Racism in our neighborhoods we retreat to for solitude and protection. For the first time, since I have been in the television production industry, I sat front row and watched black women reach deep down, pull out, and display the mistreatment that we buried in order to maintain a career in this industry. Next came many programs, campaigns, and the infamous black square that inundated social media. Yes, let’s increase diversity! Buuut, how do we recover from the mistreatment? How do we assist black women in gaining the confidence needed to advocate for themselves without fear of retaliation? Where do Black women go to for support when they feel unseen and unheard? Join The Chat Group Sis was born. I realized we don’t have many support groups providing tools and resources for women’s health, self-care, mental health awareness financial management, within the non-fiction, unscripted television industry. We quietly complain to one another, move onto the next gig, more complaining, and nothing changes. So, I decided to take a different approach in changing the toxic culture Black women suffer in the tv/film production industry + other creative spaces and curated a safe outlet that champions Black women creators to be their true, authentic selves. This is a new landscape for me. Excited and nervous. Very hopeful. The consistent alignments and reassurance have kept me going. Taking a chance on myself is truly rewarding.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Peace that coms in the form of freedom.

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