Tasha Mack Discusses Building Black Girls in Media, Transformative Conferences, Navigating Career Challenges in NYC & LA, Leading a Movement, & Mentoring the Next Generation!

Ever wondered how one woman's vision could transform the landscape for Black women in media? Tasha Mack, the brilliant mind behind Black Girls in Media, takes us through her remarkable journey from a modest group chat in 2018 to hosting powerful conferences and brunches in major cities. Tasha opens up about the importance of community when navigating career moves to bustling cities like New York and Los Angeles, where finding your tribe can make all the difference. Her candid reflections offer invaluable insights into overcoming challenges and embracing growth, both personally and professionally.

But that's not all—Tasha delves into the emotional and strategic aspects of leading a movement. From taking a two-year hiatus to meticulously planning impactful events, she discusses the balance between authenticity and change. As we touch on the need for a supportive and collaborative environment versus competition, Tasha's heartfelt stories, including mentoring her high school-aged niece, underscore the profound impact of guiding the next generation. Tune in to celebrate Tasha's inspiring contributions and discover the empowering resources Black Girls in Media offers to both women and men in the industry.

Talk Soon! ✌🏾

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Have you personally dealt with like women, whether it be older or younger, who have purposely tried to create conflict?

Speaker 2: 0:08

Yes, for sure, and I think that that is why I do what I do to make sure that that doesn't happen. And it honestly still happens to this day and I just realized, like when I encounter those situations, like I realized we don't have the same values. Hey guys, it's Tasha. You might have heard of my platform called Black Girls in Media and Nyla we need to talk.

Speaker 1: 0:29

What's up, guys? Nyla Simone here with another episode of we Need to Talk, and today I have a very special guest in the building. I got Tasha McCaskill in the building.

Speaker 2: 0:37

How are you? I'm good how?

Speaker 1: 0:38

are you? I'm good nice to meet you now. For those who aren't familiar with who you are, you just had an amazing event this past weekend in New York City called Black Girls in Media. Yes, just talk to me. Well, first of all, I would just like to say personal experience. I want to say my favorite con that I've been to.

Speaker 1: 0:58

Definitely by far, I felt very seen and I was able to just relate with a room full of women. First and foremost, just thank you for putting that together. Thank you, natasha. What made you even want to put that together?

Speaker 2: 1:10

you know, it's crazy, like I. So I started Black Girls in Media in 2018 when I was looking for opportunity, actually when I was here in New York, um, just interning and just really looking for that guidance. So then I was like, okay, let me start start a group chat with women here in New York that I know and we can just give each other advice. And then the group chat just really started growing and I'm like, oh shoot. So then it was just kind of natural, on demand, everybody in the group was like, when are we going to meet? Let's meet. So I'm like, okay, and and then I was like I guess I need to do events. So it's just been an ongoing thing.

Speaker 1: 1:46

I love that. Wait, okay, so 2018 started as a group chat. So were the meetings like originally in a living room and then they like grew into, or was it like meeting at a bar? Like how did it?

Speaker 2: 1:58

yeah, yeah so we talked every day in a group chat um, and then I started. I had members all over right and so wait, but were these your friends?

Speaker 1: 2:07

or these random girls? They start off as friends, like yeah, like colleagues, okay, um.

Speaker 2: 2:11

And then it just grew to strangers, like people just started adding each other, um. And then so 2018, I started doing brunches because I was like, okay, who's in what city? Like, let's just do brunches. Um, first one was in my hometown, charlotte, and then I did DC, I did LA, new York, um, yeah. And then, during the pandemic, I started doing the virtual events because we couldn't do in person, right, um? And then 2022, I did the first in-person conference in Atlanta and then took two years off and then again in demand, everybody's like when's the next one? What's the next one? So I decided to do the next conference in New York it was amazing.

Speaker 2: 2:49

Yeah, I love that.

Speaker 1: 2:50

I love hearing the origin story behind it. So, uh, you said you were working in New York City looking for opportunities. Which is what? What made you create the platform exactly? Um, what work were you doing in New York City that made you realize, like you know? You know what we need a space for us.

Speaker 2: 3:07

Yeah, so for one, like I said, I'm from Charlotte, so I came to New York by myself no family here, and I think I was just lacking that kind of support. And actually a black woman from VH1, I messaged her on LinkedIn. She gave me my first internship opportunity Didn't even know her, and so I noticed, yeah. So then I noticed, you know, I just realized how that made me feel and then I noticed, every internship I did, um, I was, you know, usually the only person of color, or specifically the only black girl in those rooms. Um, and so I'm just like, okay, where is everybody at? And then how can I feel supported? So, yeah, I was like where the girl? Where is everybody at? And then how can I feel supported? So, yeah, I was like where are the girlies at? And just started a group chat for that.

Speaker 1: 3:50

I love that. I really wish that I was more familiar with this platform earlier in my career, because it definitely would have been something that New York City. Moving to the city by yourself, Talk to me just about your challenges in that alone, because I know New York City was a culture shock for you.

Speaker 2: 4:13

Yeah. Yeah, it was definitely lonely a lot, just like navigating career, navigating the city, but it was also it helped me, you know, just grow stronger mentally, being able to like I say, if you can survive here, you can survive anywhere. So it really just gave me that confidence to start my career and like figure out what I really wanted to do. So I always encourage people and I'm sure can you attest to that like just moving, exploring, and when you move to especially a bigger city, you're just able to grow as a person.

Speaker 2: 4:46

Yeah, that's what it did for me.

Speaker 1: 4:48

I always say that too. If you're going to college or looking to go to college, go out of state. Yeah, like that will force you to grow up much faster than you expect it, exactly, um, okay, so that's your time in new york, and then from new york, I know you also have worked in los angeles as well, right? Yeah, talk to me about la. I hear some people do that transition to LA, and they actually they either love it or they hate it. So how is it for you.

Speaker 2: 5:15

It's funny too, because I feel like people in the media industry they go from either New York or LA, um, and so, yeah, I think my time here I was in New York for two years because I was also in grad school here, I was at NYU. So I was just like, okay, I feel like I've served my purpose in New York. It started just getting a lot for me and so I'm like, okay, where do I want to go next? Because in Charlotte, there, there wasn't a lot of like entertainment opportunities for me and I knew that's what I wanted to do. Yeah, um, yeah. So then I moved to LA and it was kind of like the same people like either from New York and then went to LA or vice versa, um, but yeah, it really is a dance yeah, yeah and, like you said, some people hate it.

Speaker 2: 5:53

I know a lot of New Yorkers who hate LA. They didn't last there um, some New Yorkers who love LA and don't want to come back here. So I see that dance yeah yeah, but for you you loved it. I did, yeah, I ended up loving LA. Just, you know the people I met there, the opportunity, the community, Because you know like when I first moved to LA I moved to Inglewood so it was like I was able to be in the industry, but then also, you know, see that LA black culture community.

Speaker 1: 6:22

Did Issa make you want to move to Inglewood or did you just want to move to Inglewood?

Speaker 2: 6:25

um, actually just a room. You know how it is like. Yeah, it was like four of us and we just was in like a townhouse in Inglewood, so it was just like, but I didn't even realize or know what to expect and then I just got immersed with, like their culture and I was like oh, this is lit.

Speaker 2: 6:43

so, yeah, I loved it. And then, um, when I wasA, I just transitioned like different jobs and so I started off like in events and things like that I'm at Blavity and then I transitioned to social media management at HBO. So just like navigate in the media space and growing while you know, like getting opportunity while also giving opportunity through Black Girls in Media. So just you know that whole experience.

Speaker 1: 7:09

I love that. I love that for you. So talk to me just about, I guess, knowing when to pivot, when to stay, because I hear you say you know you've done these jobs in New York City, then you decided to move across country, then you're trying new jobs there too. I feel like a lot of times people feel like they have to stay loyal to a company, or A lot of times people feel like they have to stay loyal to a company or, you know, people just really want to be comfortable.

Speaker 1: 7:30

But it seems like you're comfortable being uncomfortable and trying new things.

Speaker 2: 7:34

Yeah, what's the magic to?

Speaker 1: 7:35

that.

Speaker 2: 7:36

I think it's just like desire, like I love a good pivot. I do Like you said, like I feel like it's important to realize we're not stagnant, we're not stuck, and go with your heart. So it's like if I'm doing um, if I'm at a company or doing a job, and like my heart's no longer in it, or just like spiritually, I feel like in order to grow, I have to leave, like I'm always down for that and like going towards the next thing yeah, could be nerve-wracking yeah, yeah, for sure it could be nerve-wracking, but, but I love change.

Speaker 2: 8:11

I feel like change is like exciting to me understood.

Speaker 1: 8:14

Yeah, so you took a two, a two-year break um with black girls in media. Within those two years, what were you going through and like what? What were you doing mentally to prepare for the next phase of black girls in media?

Speaker 2: 8:27

I love. See, this is why I love you, because like that's literally what I was doing is like mentally preparing, because you know, just my team is small, I'm the only founder, so I do feel like a lot of the brainstorming and just the planning is on me and it does take a lot. But, like they say, like to whom much is given, I guess.

Speaker 1: 8:47

So it does.

Speaker 2: 8:48

And everybody at the conference came up to me like thank you for answering your call, because sometimes the call I feel can be feel like a burden, you know, it can feel like a lot of pressure and I went against that fear and so those two years I was just kind of preparing for the work that I knew I was about to go in and just also preparing and recovering energy wise and all that it does take a lot.

Speaker 1: 9:12

Yeah, it takes a lot. Yeah, but yeah, you did an amazing job and even down to just like I was impressed by the efficiency, yes, and the politeness, just the energy, like you could tell everything was done with good intention because you felt it in the room.

Speaker 2: 9:29

Yes, for sure.

Speaker 1: 9:31

But just talk to me about how you picked your superstar lineup, down to the hosts, down to even the girls, their volunteers I'm assuming, yeah, even the volunteers were amazing. I'm like where did you find these people?

Speaker 2: 9:43

Yeah, oh my gosh, you know what's crazy. Everything is always so organic. Like you said, like I'll, I'll send out a call for, like needing volunteers and then we'll just select them, me and my team and then every time it just works out like God just sends amazing people our way. Yeah, every time, all my team members just like come to me and then it just works out. And then, when it comes to the lineup, it's really me choosing just from different perspectives. A lot of times, like women who I see their work and I'm just like they need to be on a stage and more people need to hear, like how they got here, like specifically, like, for example, you, you know, like I watch you, I'm a fan of your work, and so I'm just like how can I connect with her? But also, you know, get her to share her light with my community.

Speaker 1: 10:31

That was. That was really great. I was happy to see Dante even the girls that I met there who now I'm fans of and following Like I think you did a really good job curating and that's why I was like I know we usually do artists and stuff like that, but I'm like this needs to be talked about and this needs to be highlighted, because, yeah, that was it. I felt like even though I was pouring into others' cup, I felt like my cup was being poured into as well.

Speaker 2: 10:59

Yeah, it's kind of like reciprocation, like you give but then you also get so much in return.

Speaker 1: 11:05

Yeah, and that was your niece who went up there in high school. I was like, oh my god, I'm about to cry.

Speaker 2: 11:10

Oh my gosh, I was so emotional all day because like, uh, it's just because you never know, like who you're inspiring, you know. And so to see her there asking questions and then saying like I want to do what you do, but like she's still young, so she's still trying to figure out, so the conference was, you know, there for her to see and learn from y'all, like okay, I like what she does, I like what she does, and just that inspiration.

Speaker 1: 11:33

I was like, oh, yes, I think a lot of times, people like to make women compete in these spaces, so I think that's what makes Black Girls in Media so special is that it didn't feel like a competition, like it really just felt like oh, I like, I like what you do and I like how you do it, even though we're all in some way doing similar things. It was just more so love based and that was a fly part about it. But have you personally dealt with like women, whether it be older or younger, who have you, you know, purposely tried to create conflict?

Speaker 2: 12:07

yes, for sure, and I think that that is why I do what I do to make sure that that doesn't happen. Um, and it honestly still happens to this day, and I just realized, like, when I encounter those situations, like I realized we don't have the same values, because everybody who was on the lineup, everybody in the room, our intentions is to support each other. It was no bad energy, no jealousy, no, like you said, no competition, and so I really align myself with those type of women and we just started along.

Speaker 1: 12:40

You know, I love it, I love it, I love it. Ok, now we're going to play a game. But before we play a game, I got to ask you this is usually a music-based podcast what's a certified sleeper to you? Like? A song you feel like people should listen to that? They're not on yet. It could be an old song.

Speaker 2: 13:01

It could be a new song.

Speaker 1: 13:08

Y'all when I tell you like my music is. I call it bipolar because my playlist is like everywhere, okay, like from that's called uh, diverse, well-rounded, yeah so my shuffle can go anywhere.

Speaker 2: 13:15

I don't. I can't play my shuffle in person because I'm embarrassed like no. So, um, you know, fast car by tracy chap chapman, and then a fast car. You don't know that song? I know I don't, okayman, you don't know that song I don't, I don't, okay, so like I don't know classic songs, that like you'll hear in like a cafe or something. Okay, like I like stuff like that, Okay, but then also, like you know, new music and rap and all that.

Speaker 1: 13:39

So Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. She's putting me on today. All right, and then all right. Now we're going to play a game called Questions that Need Answers. All you got to do is fill in the blank. Okay, the older I get, the less I the less.

Speaker 2: 13:53

I want to focus on just work Like I don't know. I want things to be aligned, I want to realize that like I'm more than just work. So I think that the more I get, the more I just I don't want to say, don't want to work. But yeah, focus on other things too.

Speaker 1: 14:07

Honestly, that's some real shit, though we need to unpack that a little bit, because I feel the same way there's more aspects to you than just work. We have families we have health, we have hobbies, we have other things. How are you going about navigating that?

Speaker 2: 14:21

I think, just embracing the seasons, embracing like the work seasons, embracing the rest seasons and, like you said, doing hobbies. That's why I feel like we're just in this era where we're like OK, what else can we do, like we're humans, let me rollerblade.

Speaker 1: 14:38

I feel that. Oh, because, yeah, I forgot you're in LA. You definitely probably rollerbladed. I believe that, yeah like random stuff All right.

Speaker 2: 14:50

You would never believe me if I told you. Never believe me if I told you I was in a dance team in college At A&T. Shout out Aggies Going to the light.

Speaker 1: 15:03

I would believe that. What Hell? Yeah, yeah, From time to time it's good to do Nothing. My personality trait is, I would say yeah like chill, chill, positive.

Speaker 2: 15:18

What's your sign?

Speaker 1: 15:20

Virgo it's Virgo season too.

Speaker 2: 15:22

Yes, did we miss it? No, we just got here, okay, okay, yeah, perfect timing, right.

Speaker 1: 15:27

Happy birthday. Yes, thank you. Sometimes I look back at my life and I feel aligned. Yeah, that's powerful Good for you.

Speaker 2: 15:36

Yeah, thank you.

Speaker 1: 15:37

I love that. Well, tasha, thank you for coming on the pod. Thank you for what you do for us. I really appreciate it, I value it and I just want you to get your flowers. So thank you for coming on here, thank you.

Speaker 2: 15:50

Shout out to your gram.

Speaker 1: 15:51

Of course, shout out to your gram and shout out to the Black Girls in Media page.

Speaker 2: 15:55

Of course, yes, so my Instagram is TashaJMac with two Ks Black Girls in Media At Black Girls in Media on Instagram website everything. So, yes, connect if you want to excel your career or just get that motivation for the media industry and get tips and all that and hear from amazing women like Nyla, yeah connect with us Tap in.

Speaker 1: 16:17

They got a newsletter. They have community events. Everything you need and more.

Speaker 2: 16:21

Yes, and men too, Just because it's called Black Girls in Media. Like men, you're welcome Everybody.

Speaker 1: 16:32

Until next time, guys Talk soon.