Meet Michaela P. Shelton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaela P. Shelton.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Michaela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been passionate about writing. After graduating from college with a degree in Journalism, I decided to start a blog series called “Reckless Behavior” to document my post-college experiences as a Black millennial. After two years, my blog started to build a following and I received a lot of positive feedback. Therefore, shortly after my co-founder Imani Baylor and I created our business Queen Media Collective, I decided to create Reckless Behavior The Series, a digital web series that is loosely based on my life and blog series. The purpose of the web series is to create something for us, by us that promotes the beauty and culture of the Bay Area. In addition, I wanted to make sure other Black millennials know that they are not alone and we are all dealing with life struggles relating to themes such as finances, relationships, finding a good job and self-esteem. The web series will be released in January 2020 and I am very excited because this is my first digital project and I am the director, writer, producer, and star of it.

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?
Some of the struggles during production of Reckless Behavior The Series included dealing with so many people and personalities. I have a cast of about 20 actors so getting to know how everyone works and conflict resolution became a big factor that I wasn’t anticipating. Another struggle was definitely finances. The entire production was self-funded so making sure everyone was paid and we had every resource we needed was a bit challenging at times. However, we pushed through and everything worked out, which is a blessing!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Queen Media Collective – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
My company, Queen Media Collective is a brand where women of color provide quality content and media services for entrepreneurs. The brand was started by myself and my business partner Imani Baylor to give people of color a platform to express and promote themselves via poetry, podcasts, and written blogs. Last year, we decided to add digital media which will include the Reckless Behavior The Series, table talks and public service announcements. I am most proud of the opportunities we have provided many people of color. Most of our creatives are just starting out and it makes us happy that they chose our platform to do so. What makes us different from others is that we are very open-minded to what creatives can express on our platform. Our main objective is to give them the freedom to display their truest selves the best way they see fit.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In the future, I plan to keep contributing to Black storytelling by continuing to write motivational and inspirational lifestyle articles, publishing a few books and creating TV shows and movies. All of these entities will be somehow inspired by the struggles I’ve faced as a black millennial living in America.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://queenmediacollective.com/
• Email: Queenmediacollective@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Queenmediacollective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queenmediacollective
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Queenmediac/
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nw96oD2sqU&feature=share

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