Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Gwynn Grant.
Paula, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
A native of Washington, DC, Paula received her Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television and Film from the University of Maryland, College Park in just three years. She landed her first job in 1987 at WUSA TV, CBS Washington, DC as a production assistant on a local music video show and teen talk show.
Within her first year, she became the host of that same teen talk show eventually winning her first Emmy Award as a producer. Paula was next hired by Black Entertainment Television (BET) as an associate producer for “Video Soul with Donnie Simpson.”
While at BET, Paula answered a dare from a friend and tried out for the national Miss Black America pageant – and won. That sizzling 1989 year lead to a morning show radio co-host on Majic 102.3 (Radio One, Washington, DC) while continuing at WUSA TV. This is the 50th Anniversary of the Miss Black America Pageant and Paula will be a part of the celebration broadcast from Kansas City, Missouri this August 2018.
Paula’s next move was to Atlanta after that Miss Black America year to Georgia’s Kiss 104.1 as morning show co-host. She also landed her own teen segment on Fox 5 Atlanta’s “Campus Live.” After a two year stint, Paula pitched a local teen talk show, “The Teen Age with Paula Gwynn,” to WPBA TV, PBS Atlanta. After hosting for less than a year interviewing key guests such as Olympic Track and Field athletes and the Atlanta Mayor, Paula was nominated twice for an Emmy award. Also during this time she won the prestigious “Best Individual in Radio” award from the American Women in Radio and Television for her work at Kiss 104.
During this period, Paula and her husband started their family and learned of fibroids and the devastation they can have. Two children commanded seven months of bed rest a piece. However, Paula was determined to continue even if it was only part-time in her fields, as co-host of a weekly syndicated radio countdown show with American Urban Radio Networks (USA Music Magazine) and as a commercial announcer for national and local radio clients such as Bellsouth, UPS, Mc Donald’s, Publix Supermarket and AFLAC. She also continued in television at PBS (GPB) and in local and national television commercials/programming specials.
Paula‘s primary goal during this time was to manage her health and the health of her new family while maintaining a high professional standard and achieving growth.
When September 11, 2001, struck, national events ended Paula’s freelance and contract jobs. Paula branched out. Using her skills in radio and television, she went on to become a Communications Director and Vice President of Public Affairs in Fulton County and DeKalb County government (GA), honing her management skills while serving as on-air talent and producer for government television. She also did a stint in the non-profit world as Southeast Regional Director of Marketing and Resident Services for Mercy Housing Southeast, a national non-profit affordable housing developer, for low-income families and seniors.
With her television Emmy Award (plus eight additional nominations) and numerous radio awards, she has served as public relations counsel for local and national politicians, top medical professionals, entertainment celebrities and authors. Paula has hosted special television programs for well-known entities such as the Children’s Miracle Network, the WB (Warner Bros. Television now the ‘CW’), UPS, and the YMCA.
In fact, Paula currently is Chair of the Board of Directors for the Atlanta-area, Decatur Family YMCA. Paula has grown into a solid public relations/marketing professional with a keen understanding of community relations and how to best work with the general public, the media and grassroots communities.
Today, Paula Gwynn Grant is Director of Communications for The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, responsible for all internal and external communications/marketing. She is the media spokesperson and representative of the Archbishop.
On her own time, Paula is an independent consultant running her own marketing/communications company, Exuberance Enterprises!. Paula counsels businesses and nonprofits on useful marketing and publicity plans that show real results. Paula currently is working with three doctors (an OB-GYN, an Ear, Nose and Throat, and an Infertility doctor) to help them grow their medical practice and publicly educate us to be as healthy as we can. She also takes on various other clients (government, fashion, entertainment, & affordable housing) to assist them in their marketing/communications goals.
As part of Exuberance Enterprises!, Paula currently works as a show host for DeKalb County Television (DCTV) and Jazz 91.9 WCLK-FM, a National Public Radio (NPR) station. Paula often serves as Mistress of Ceremonies or “emcee” for various live events from pageants and fashion events to award ceremonies/luncheons/dinners to corporate events. She proudly speaks to audiences of all kinds – including corporate and non-profit organizations -about effective marketing strategies, diversity and attitude/energy.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been easy. Life presents us with all kinds of challenges – personal and professional. I’ve had times when I thought I was going to get certain jobs (felt I was the best for the job) and they instead went to another candidate. That was particularly frustrating for me – especially when I had small children and I needed that employment at that time. But God has a plan for our lives and I learned what trusting Him really means. So I had to hang in there. What else could I do? Then, of course, something better came along that was a perfect fit for me in every way. The lesson: what we think is best for us may not always be the best thing for us. Do all you can do and then see what comes to you. You will be prepared for it and it will be perfect timing when it shows up in your life.
With my health, I’ve dealt with fibroids and they’ve truly been a challenge. Over 80% of women have these non-cancerous uterine tumors and they are particularly common in African-American women. From the time I was 22, I’ve dealt with extreme menstrual cycles, pain, and numerous other symptoms that have resulted in me having 5 procedures over time to get rid of my fibroids. To help other women, I have participated in multiple observational fibroid studies as a patient advocate. Right now, I’m a part of the study team for www.compare-uf.org. We are looking at the various treatment options women can consider managing their fibroids.
I’ve shared my entire story there in hopes that it will assist women who struggle with fibroids each day. There are things you can do and you don’t have to have fibroids ruin your life. My last procedure was in Sept. 2017 and I’m now feeling great! I’m probably one of a few women who actually looks forward to menopause! I’m technically menopausal now. I’m free of all that fibroid/reproductive stuff and I don’t have any awful menopausal symptoms at all. I paid my dues in this area! I’m feeling terrific now.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Exuberance Enterprises! – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I love that my company, Exuberance Enterprises! solves a real issue for any type of business – how to get the word out and keep your business name out in the public in a positive way. A business owner can know everything about their business except how to really market it and be consistent in all their communication. They simply may not have the time to put into this area. I love joining their team to assist.
Exuberance Enterprises! specializes in corporate, non-profit, and small business marketing communication with expertise in mass media (including social media). Within these strategies, if you are planning an event of any kind that needs an expert architect, strong publicity or an excellent emcee, I am the partner you need.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Atlanta is the greatest city! Here in Atlanta, you have a true diversity of people, cultures, ages, businesses, communities and faiths. So when you live, work and play in Atlanta, you experience a richness like no other.
This gives you access to so much on multiple levels. This makes it possible for every type of business to prosper – whether on a small or very large scale. That is an empowering thing because it means that you can find or make your own niche. You just have to persevere – with your determination, you can make a beautiful life for yourself and your family.
Like my hometown and many other great U.S. cities, Atlanta’s traffic is a monster! You live with it – we plan plenty of time to get everywhere and carpool a lot. We take the MARTA train whenever we can too. There are new transportation plans for the city so as citizens, we are looking forward to that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.exuberanceenterprises.com
- Phone: 770.833.0575
- Email: paulaggrant@gmail.com
- Instagram: paulagwynngrant
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulagwynn.grant
- Twitter: @paulagwynngrant
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
