Today we’d like to introduce you to Paulette Payne.
Paulette, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey in this industry began in high school and my love for communication, in both the written and spoken form, developed as writer and reporter for my high school newspaper. It was a journey of discovery of my voice, my ideas, and what would become my gift.
Over time, I was appointed editor of the newspaper by my teacher, Dr. Helen Webb. I credit her for seeing in me what I did not know existed and for giving me the opportunity to explore and cultivate “it”. My life has taken the course that it has in large part because of her.
I have extremely fond memories of sheer dread for having to sell ads to businesses in order to help support the activities of the paper. With time, however, approaching business owners to sell ads became an activity that I enjoyed and looked forward to. I credit those experiences for my insatiable interest in the experiences and histories of people.
Interestingly, it was in high school too that I was given the moniker, “Oprah”. I was a big fan of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and was intent on watching it every day after school. Perhaps my peers knew that or maybe it was because I had “big hair” like Oprah, or maybe they unknowingly knew that one day I would pursue a career in communications. Either way, being likened to Oprah Winfrey was and continues to be a compliment of epic proportions. The name stayed with me through college and it was there that I majored in mass communications and broadcast film with an English concentration. Although the nickname given to me by my peers was not the sole reason I chose the major, it did help to shape my future dreams and goals.
Opportunities to expand my skills were endless, and even more so after I was elected to represent my college (Paine College) as its campus queen. Speaking engagements abounded, relationships with media personnel were cultivated, and my journey of “becoming” was tangible. Following graduation, I was employed by the local news station as an associate producer where I was given the opportunity to write news copy and report on human interest stories for the station’s mall programming. It was surreal to see my stories in the mall as I shopped. I was later given the opportunity to expand my communications repertoire by serving my alma mater as its public relations director. I not only discovered my love for promotions, graphic design, and marketing, but broadcasting opportunities were endless, including serving as on-air talent for both television and radio commercials promoting events and initiatives of the college.
Fast forward 15 years later after I moved to Atlanta for graduate school (Clark Atlanta University) . Though my academic focus was far different from what it was in college, my heart for communications never changed. In 2010 Oprah Winfrey launched her network OWN and gave people around the country the opportunity to audition for their own show on the network. There was no question in my mind that I had to audition, so I took the mammoth opportunity by the horns and launched my campaign. Although my audition did not advance to the next level, the experience gave me a glimpse into my future. After graduating with a degree in Africana Women’s Studies, I decided it was time to begin speaking my dream of working in television into existence. When given the opportunity, I boldly proclaimed that I wanted to host my own talk show. Because words have power and can create our reality, I not only hosted one, but two television talk shows. The first I named “Profiles with Paulette Payne.” Both were eventually canceled, but the experiences were no less life changing.
Skip ahead to March 2020 when the world turned upside down and inside out simultaneously. I remember feeling an undeniable pull to do something when COVID-19 reached our shores, but I was not sure what. I have a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and I remember receiving a clear impression that I was supposed to use my gift, the same one that was birthed and cultivated while serving as editor of my high school newspaper. In April 2020, the vision to create a space for conversation about the global pandemic emerged. That four-part series led to another in May about systemic racism and police brutality in America following the murder of George Floyd. The once canceled shows were the springboard that launched me back into my purpose and on July 18, 2020, the virtual edition of “Profiles with Paulette Payne” was launched.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not. I was, and can still be at times, the poster child for all things doubt, fear, procrastination, and inconsistency. In essence, self- sabotage. I lived in my head more times than not and wondered why I was not getting anywhere. My struggles were compounded when my health was compromised. I lost interest in things that brought me joy. Lethargy and fatigue crippled me constantly. My body was in a constant flux of pain and weakness. I was later diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and until I received proper treatment, I lived on an erratic rollercoaster of hormonal imbalance. It was difficult at best, but I was always reminded about my dream and held it close when I needed to be reminded that what I was going through was seasonal.
Profiles with Paulette Payne – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
“Profiles with Paulette Payne” is a virtual talk show that seeks to inform, inspire, and empower its viewers through a variety of human interest, health and wellness, current event, and lifestyle topics. Through the show I am able to explore my own personal intrigue about these topics through my guests and their experiences and specialties. My hope is that my viewers are able to take nuggets of information and wisdom that will support them on their journey. Producing “Profiles” continues to be a labor of love and the people that I am meeting along the way have inspired me to keep going. However, if I am being honest, Doubtful Debbie still rears her head at times and I have to temper her voice of doubt and criticism with what God says about me, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
At this juncture, I am most proud of the consistent actions and behaviors I have established for the show, because remember, consistency has never been a friend of mine. My creativity, enthusiasm, and productivity have all been fortified because of it. The feedback and support that I have received are icing on the cake.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is a series of consistently executed ideas that when multiplied over time, expand and lead to opportunities that inform the next round of consistently executed ideas. In essence, success is not the destination, rather the journey. When viewed through this lens, disappointments and setbacks will be less traumatic and used as fuel to keep executing those ideas. Success is a transformative experience.
I keep a working notebook of show ideas, dream guests, timelines, show themes and topics, etc., and review them periodically. Each time I am able to mark off guests that I have interviewed, ideas that I have implemented, branding ideas, or concerns that have transformed into beautiful experiences, I am filled with not only gratitude, but an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
Having full ownership of the creative direction, administrative affairs, and branding strategy for the show can be overwhelming, and sometimes the applause and accolades don’t come, especially when I’ve had a creative breakthrough at 1 o’clock in the morning, however, my sense of accomplishment is no less exhilarating.
The success I have achieved thus far would be impossible without the support of my family. In fact, my sister has graciously taken on the role of executive producer. Sharing in the show’s production with her has been a treat.
Life has a beautiful way of unfolding and I am beyond excited to see where this leg of my journey will take me.
Contact Info:
- Email: profiles.w.paulettepayne@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulettelpayne/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profiles.w.paulettepayne
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/ProfilesTalkShow
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