Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynae Bogues.
Lynae, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I guess you could say Parking Lot Pimpin’ has been in the works ever since my childhood. I’m really not sure why, and my parents cannot attest to it either, but I’d always had a peaked interest in Black History. I would say my passion for it was ingrained early on when I would visit my mom’s side of the family in Gluckstadt, Mississippi.
Gluckstadt was a happy place, abundant in love, soul food, watermelon, cousins and play cousins; but very poor otherwise. I knew the poverty that had become characteristic for this side of my family, save a few that left or went to college, was due to a lack of education in general. But I also gathered that it had much to do with them being black and living in Mississippi. Mississippi is still currently one of the most backward states in America as far as racial equity and equality go.
Anyway, I’d always wanted to share what I learned in and outside of the classroom (mostly outside because I wasn’t satisfied with the 28 days of repetition of a few figures I’d gotten once a year like most of us who didn’t attend Afro-centric grade schools). Over time I’d had several ideas of how to do that: after school programs, mentoring programs, open mic sessions, and then after I got my Masters in African American Studies, I started teaching it on the high school level.
Really, it was quarantine that set me on the path to getting it done the way it needed to be done. Writing poetry is my first love, and right before the pandemic, I’d just begun to consistently perform professionally throughout the open mic circuits in the Metro Atlanta Area. However, I knew that spoken word as an art form only attracted a relatively niche audience, and I wanted the world to hear what I had to say.
So, I decided to make concept films or visuals for my pieces. Not your run-of-mill soft music in the background, walking across the train tracks sort of visual, though. (Not that there is anything wrong with that) Again, I just wanted to move outside of what was commonplace in order to draw in a broader audience. Think along the lines of Lemonade or Black is King lol. That’s what I was going for. However, working with my iPhone, rigging cheap visual-audio equipment could only take me so far.
I needed money to capture my vision effectively, and the teaching day job I have wasn’t going to cut it by itself. So, I decided to take inventory of my gifts and talents and see what I could market quickly. Something that would amass an audience that I could eventually introduce to my work to, and I came up with Parking Lot Pimpin.
One day, I sat down to start talking on topics relevant to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Amaud Arberry. Brainstorming, I thought to myself, what can I do that will make this come off less preachy and still be relevant, engaging, and unique. And I said “self,” and myself said, “girl what?”. And I said, “let’s go do this in the parking lot.”
Lol, so that’s how it came to be! I started making 10-12-minute videos on YouTube and quickly realized people were not going to pay attention for that long even if the content was engaging. So, I turned to IGTV and started making shorter versions with edits, cuts, comedy, and truth and personality.
I guess that’s what got the people hooked.
Has it been a smooth road?
While this process has been rewarding, it has not been easy in the slightest bit.
The most significant adjustment was getting used to all of the attention from people on social media, good and bad. The amount of support I received initially was overwhelming with comments and DM’s saying “Thank You” for the work I am doing and the information I am sharing on social media. I have also been shared by and had short conversations with Lena Waithe and Winnie Harlow, and virtually touched elbows with several other people with large platforms.
However, since I speak on controversial topics within the context of Black History — and not just on racial injustices against black people, but also issues within the black community — I have also gotten some very negative feedback. I have gotten comments and DMs that have been harassing in nature and extremely disrespectful.
These interactions have not just been targeted at my work but also to me personally. I recently posted a video about the neglect of queer persons in the Black Lives Matter movement. The opening statement of the video called into question the sexuality of a well-renowned leader in African American History. Even though the line about him was very brief and nowhere near the main idea of the episode, many people were unhappy with me for mentioning it at all.
My profile gained 25,000 followers over seven days, no exaggeration.
Since then, I’ve quickly had to learn the consequences of putting myself out there. People I don’t know from all walks of life have gone out of their way to tear me down. But people have also gone out of their way to build me up.
I debated even addressing it in this article. Still, I think it’s necessary to call out the responsibility people have that create content on social media and those who are just there to consume it.
When starting this series, my mission was to spark conversation and evoke change in areas I felt were oft-neglected in mainstream conversations. And with that comes the fire. I could say I didn’t ask for this, but at the end of the day, I did.
The only other obstacle that seems to be in my way is time, wrestling with time to meet the demands of my new audience for more content and even merchandise. I’ve also had other influencers advise me to act fast and take advantage of my platform. As a creative, I have so many ideas, but falling back into my schedule as a grade-school teacher makes organizing and executing these ideas challenging.
Nonetheless, I’m working through it all and staying prayed up! I am taking it one step at a time and working as strategically as possible to keep pushing forward.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Parking Lot Pimpin – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Parking Lot Pimpin is an IGTV series that combines black history, current events, fashion, wit, and comedic relief. I provide insight into a learned black woman’s purview of the world in about 2 and half minute clips every Friday afternoon.
I currently write, star, edit, and produce all of my content, and I am very proud of the growth and attention my short series has received. I appreciate women who can grow large profiles by providing beauty, fashion, fitness, or even skin tips. However, I am thankful that God blessed me with the talent and wisdom to produce content that feeds people’s minds and souls.
My work is known to uplift the underdog; to create content that allows those set aside to feel seen. You cannot talk about Black history without talking about black women. You cannot talk about black history without talking about black queer folk. My series represents me: an ally that roots for EVERYBODY black.
Many black history-oriented pages have surfaced in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement’s resurgence. However, I think what sets me apart from others who provide similar information is that I am a woman who provides this information via engaging video clips. My production quality also resonates with my followers in such a way that they are committed to returning every week and sharing my work with others consistently. Some even developed stan name suggestions lol. I think the two in the lead right now are the #Lynzies and the #lynhive.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Atlanta is home. Although if you ask the people closest to me, they will say, “She not even from Atlanta, she from Oxford.” But Atlanta is where I went to undergrad and grew into the young woman I am today.
Spelman was key to my making Atlanta “home.” Spelman showed me the diversity blackness has to offer and the wealth of history this place has to offer. It’s full of artistic, musical, and intellectual offerings, black excellence, and opportunities to gain exposure and network. And, while racism in Georgia is definitely still a thing, Atlanta offers a bubble where black people can be great, free, and unapologetically themselves.
The weather is perfect; I can choose whether I want to be a part of the bustle city life, or stow away on the countryside. I feel like this sounds like a, “please move here” ad, but don’t we full lol.
But seriously, I could see myself traveling far and wide but making Atlanta home forever. I feel safe here. There is love in this city, and so many beautiful people to discover.
Contact Info:
- Email: neezyprods@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/_lyneezy.com
Image Credit:
Kyle Woodruff
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