Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiara Cook.
Kiara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a junior, Public Relations major attending Clark Atlanta University (CAU). Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, I grew up mainly listening to E-93.1 (E-93) Radio Station. On-air personalities such as Lil G, Lady Mahogany, J. Chris and Kenya Cabine were a few of my favorite talents to listen to. E-93 was heavily involved with the local communities in Savannah, including the public school system, and any event I attended I would always spot them out. However, my interests for working in the radio industry did not develop until later. During my 10th grade year of high school, I developed a passion for marketing after joining DECA, an international organization which provides high school and college students with the opportunities to learn and prepare for careers in the fields of marketing, finance, hospitality and management. This is when I decided I wanted to become a marketing specialist/executive for a record label.
I admired and aspired to follow a similar path as Traci Adams, who at the time was the Senior VP of Promotion at Epic Records and is now the Executive VP. One day during my 11th-grade year, I discussed with my biology teacher my desire to attend CAU and pursue a career as an on-air personality. However, with the costs of attendance being expensive, I began looking into the mass communication program (Grady College) at the University of Georgia (UGA). My teacher stated that attending CAU would be an investment in my career and future, and encouraged me to attend because it is an HBCU and he was an alumnus of Xavier University. I wanted to become a radio personality because I was told that I talked too much by everyone, but I always felt like I had something to say or a story to tell. He also pushed me to start a Youtube channel or podcast, but I did neither.
During my first month at CAU as a freshman, I joined WSTU Radio Station. I recorded my first drop which was, “Hey it’s your girl Ki (pronounced key) and I got the key to everything you need right here in the AUC”. However, things did not go as planned and I participated as a regular general body member. I met Kinyana McCoy, who was the station’s promotion director and a native of Savannah. We instantly connected and she took me under her wing as a mentee. That year I attended my first A3C event, which was an industry mixer and panel. I had the opportunity to conduct my first interviews, which were with Rachel Jackson, Karen Rydem and Malita Jackson. I began following these dope women and admired their roles behind the scenes in the music industry. Later that year, WSTU toured Radio One Atlanta and that day unknowingly changed my life.
While touring Radio One Atlanta, we met with various personalities, directors and other professionals apart of the Radio One family. Two people who stuck out to me the most were Bre Singleton and Gil Jones. Bre was only a few years older than myself and worked at one of the top urban radio companies in the country. Gil was the promotional director for a few of the stations and has since been promoted to the company’s marketing director. Kinyana was Gil’s mentee, and because Gil graduated from Savannah State University she introduced us. From that day, I realized I wanted to work at Radio One Atlanta.
My sophomore year, I began interning with various media professionals. During the fall semester, I worked with Kinyana at Zaxby’s as their marketing and social media intern. I also assisted her with her personal brand One on One with NetworKin. She encouraged me to attend the 2018 Spinrilla Family Reunion during A3C week. At the reunion, I met Yusuf Muhammad who is the Program Director for the A3C Conference and Festival. Yusuf invited me to shadow him at the concert, which turned out to be an amazing experience. While out on winter break, I began working with Ayanna Gunn, founder of Georgia Media Agency and alumna of CAU. The following spring semester, I wrote my first published article. One of my professors, Maynard Eaton, was an 8-time Emmy award-winning reporter and journalist and felt that I was a talented writer. He provided me with the opportunity to write an article that was featured in the Southern Christian Leadership Magazine. I also joined All Urban Central as a junior publicist. The end of that semester, I applied for a summer internship with Radio One. Although I did not receive the position, Bre provided me with the opportunity to work with the company as a volunteer for Birthday Bash 2019 and Praise in the Park 2019.
During this past summer, I met many publicists and had the opportunity to work on my first set as a production assistant. While on set, I met Tajala “Butta” Kelly. Tajala is a talented media personality and began inviting me to sit in on her interviews. During her interview with Tre Prada, I met his publicist Kenya Sheats, Kenya and I instantly connected since she was an alumna of CAU. Kenya took Butta and I under her wings as her mentee, along with our fellow panther Bryanna Allen who is also a media personality and professional MUA. Kenya has been an amazing mentor to us, and Bryanna and Butta have been great big sisters to me. This past fall semester, I became an on-air talent for WSTU and joined Butta on The ButtaPEAKan Show as her co-host.
Around this time and over the summer, various people contacted me in regards to me being their publicist. However, I knew little information about publicists and never had any interest in becoming one. I spoke with Kenya once I realized that people were actually interested in working with me and that this was something that I probably could not avoid. Kenya encouraged me to try it and see whether or not I enjoyed it. I agreed, drafted up a service guide, and sent it to Kenya. Kenya was excited for me, however I was still nervous. I have always been a perfectionist and anything I attached my name to had to be perfect. Kenya snapped me into reality and explained that perfection comes with practice, patience and passion, not overnight. I continued to hold off on pursuing the idea. That is until one day in December Kenya called me and told me that she needed a publicist (me). I told her I would love to be her publicist, and we sat on the phone for an hour strategizing and bouncing around ideas. I am currently in the process of working on her campaign for her book 100 Sheats, along with a few other personal projects of my own.
Furthermore, I began working with Gil Jones in November as his personal assistant. I enjoy working with the marketing and promotions department at Radio One, and the have met so many amazing media professionals. Working with Butta, Kenya and Gil allows me to enjoy the best of all three worlds. It has also taught me that I do not and should not limit myself to only pursuing one profession. I always believed that I was gifted in various areas of the media industry, and now as I type this, I realized that I am more than gifted. Thank you VoyageATL for allowing me to share my story with others. I also would like to show my gratitude to those who paved the way for me and provided me with opportunities. I truly appreciate it. Two key things I want others to take away are: your network is your net worth, and trust that your path will guide you to where you are meant to be.
Great, 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?
One of the main obstacles I faced was lack self-confidence. The media and entertainment industry can be very intimidating for those who unsure of what they want and are unsure of their own talents/skills. Being a perfectionist has been a blessings because it drives me to only produce high-quality work. In contrast, being a perfectionist is time-consuming and triggers my procrastination. I am learning how to establish a healthy balance in which I am producing high-quality work in a timely manner and not second-guessing myself by procrastinating. I would also compare myself to others, however it was to people who were already well established in their careers/hustles or simply worked harder than me. I had to realize that not everyone’s journey is the same, and how far you go is determined by your beliefs and actions.
Kiara the PR – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I established my brand as Kiara the Pr, previously known as The Kiconnector. Currently, in the developing stages, I specialize in promotions and public relations. I am known for connecting individuals with other individuals, media outlets and companies. I am most proud of my growth as an individual and professional. Last year around this time, I was not doing half of the things I am now and my network has grown tremendously. What sets me apart from others is that I convey the stories of others through my work, as if it were my own. Everyone’s story is different and must be shared in such manner. Furthermore, I plan to expand the network of anyone and everyone I work with.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment honestly has been sharing my story with VoyageATL. It provided me with reassurance that I am establishing something great and to continue trusting the process.
Contact Info:
- Email: kiarac.brand@gmail.com
- Instagram: Kiarathepr
- Other: LinkedIn: Kiara Cook
Image Credit:
Faith Jay, Mecca Joi and Bilal Morris
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