Charity Graham on Process, Passion, & Building Something Bigger Than Herself | Tray of Truths #36

In this powerful episode of Tray of Truths, we sit down with entrepreneur and community builder Charity Graham, founder of 20 Somethings Media, to unpack the real journey behind building a purpose-driven platform for young Black creatives.

Charity shares how she transformed a simple idea into a growing digital and real-life community centered on educating, motivating, and entertaining. She opens up about the early stages of building her brand, staying consistent without immediate results, and trusting the process even when the vision was not fully understood by others.

This conversation dives deep into mental health, the power of journaling, and how self-awareness plays a major role in growth. Charity also breaks down the realities of being a one-woman team, the behind-the-scenes work that people do not see, and the discipline it takes to keep showing up.

We also explore what it means to build a genuine community, how to identify real support versus surface-level connections, and why authenticity is the foundation of long-term success.

If you are an entrepreneur, creative, or someone searching for purpose, this episode will challenge you to stop waiting and start building with what you have.

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00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome
02:10 – Mental Health Check & The Power of Journaling
06:45 – Using Journaling as Emotional Release
10:20 – The Birth of 20 Somethings Media
15:30 – Creating Positive Media for the Black Community
20:15 – Going From Idea to Execution
25:40 – Staying Consistent as a One-Woman Team
30:50 – Behind the Scenes of Content Creation
36:10 – Passion vs Purpose: Where It All Started
41:30 – Building Confidence & Being Naturally Outgoing
45:20 – How Charity Built a Strong Community
50:10 – Spotting Fake Support & Protecting Your Circle
54:30 – Lessons Learned: Work Ethic & Self-Awareness
58:00 – Vision for the Future of 20 Somethings Media
1:03:30 – Final Thoughts & Advice for Creators

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Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

I just have learned to push through the nervousness and just to kind of do it scared. And um I'm very glad because I can't imagine how many opportunities I would have missed out on if I would have been too scared to walk up to a stranger.

SPEAKER_01 0:11

No matter whatever I do, whenever I put something out, somebody's gonna receive it, whether it be one person or a hundred people, they're gonna receive it and it's gonna help them.

SPEAKER_02 0:18

I just feel like you can kind of feel when they ain't in it for real. Like I have seen that the cost of community is inconvenience.

SPEAKER_01 0:24

Everyone does it. It's easy to adventure off based on what you see from other people, especially because some people like to compare themselves to what other people are going, especially if they're already successful without knowing what all they've been through in order to get where they are.

SPEAKER_02 0:35

If you had no budget, no limits, what could you do, what would you do? And then kind of see what you can, like if you're if this is your vision up here and you're down here, what can you do? What how can you emulate this where you're at?

SPEAKER_01 0:50

I'm very big on reciprocal energy because my whole entire life, all these 25 years, I've always been giving. I've never received nothing. Love, attention, be considered, I never received, so now I'm in a point in my life where like you want something from me, you have to be willing to do the same.

SPEAKER_02 1:06

I see 20 somethings media. When you said where we're gonna land, I ain't even really trying to land. We're gonna take it to the moon. Take it to the stars. We're gonna take it up there. We're gonna take it up there.

SPEAKER_01 1:16

So Welcome to another episode of Trader Truths Podcast. Today I have a special guest. Um, I have an entrepreneur, um, someone I would consider a friend, someone that is very influential in the city of Orlando, and that will soon be global. Um without further more introduction, I'm gonna go ahead and let her introduce herself.

SPEAKER_02 1:41

Well, that was a good intro, thank you. Uh I am Charity Graham, founder of 20 Something's Media, professional yapper, um, and I'm happy to be here with Traya Troops today.

SPEAKER_01 1:54

Appreciate you, appreciate you. And as you guys know, she was on part two of the women's episode that I did have.

SPEAKER_00 2:00

Um, so you are very m f familiar how I start off every episode. So how are you doing mentally?

SPEAKER_02 2:07

I'm doing pretty good, honestly. A lot of things, I feel like a lot of things have been aligning lately. Um Yeah, and then I have been journaling more recently too. I've probably fallen off in the last couple of weeks, but just being able to take inventory of how I'm feeling, my emotions and everything, I do help. I I feel like that helps me just like, you know, I don't know, yeah, really just take inventory of how I feel and like day by day, so I can see the differences and whatnot. So yeah, I would say mentally, I'm actually pretty good.

SPEAKER_01 2:36

That's good, that's good. And um, just explain a little bit more about the journaling. So, like, how did you get into journaling? Is it something that you were doing before or is it something that's completely new to you?

SPEAKER_02 2:46

So I did a 75 hard challenge last year, and like it started like September-ish. And I just had always wanted to try journaling because um I just feel like I don't, I never really like take note of how I feel, like have like a diary or anything. Because that's how my journal is pretty much like a diary. I don't use like prompts or anything like that. So I was like, you know, I often have a lot of feelings. It's like you can tell your friends and whatnot, but I was like, I needed this real raw just written down somewhere. So I started journaling then, and I was like, it feels really good to just like unfiltered, just say what I'm thinking, what I'm feeling, like like my thoughts, and really like put them out on paper. And I'm like, people, I've always heard people say the power of journaling and everything, but I was like, okay, okay. But I was like, okay, I get, I get what y'all mean for sure. So um, yeah, that's I do enjoy it. I'm glad I picked it up. Um, I haven't journaled, like I said, in the last couple of weeks, but I keep it by my bed because usually I will um I'll start journaling. I do it before I go to sleep. And you can look at the page and see when I start falling asleep because my handwriting starts going off a little bit. But I definitely do um I do enjoy it. So I'm glad I picked it up.

SPEAKER_01 3:53

I want to keep it going. That's what's up. That's that's kind of the one thing that got me in the transition of becoming the man that I am today. Um, as a lot of people know that watch my stuff, I suffer from depression and just battling within myself. But the one thing I did before I started podcasting was journaling everything that, you know, I seen, that I experienced or that I thought about myself. And it was more of a release for me. So it's also good to hear that you're also doing it because I feel like that's something that a lot of people need to get into. Because I feel like either it can be something that's, you know, you know, just energetic for yourself or it can become a release. You know, releasing those thoughts, it'll prevent yourself from overthinking and just keep going back to the same thing once you write it down. It's like, damn, okay, I finally got that out. Yeah, now I'm ready to replace it with something positive.

SPEAKER_02 4:34

Like I can leave it in the journal. That's what I like. I like to write something down and just leave it in the journal because especially like uh if I'm like feeling away about like a friend or something, and it's like I just need to just I don't I don't necessarily want to be like selling out to another friend. I'm selling out in that journal. And I can and I can leave it, and now I can see how I can progress. How can I now come and and reconcile with whoever it was? But I need the real raw emotion, like really just how I'm feeling straight up. The journal sees it all. So it is definitely a release in that.

SPEAKER_00 5:03

That's true, that's very true. And the journal in the journal would not go behind your back.

SPEAKER_02 5:07

Okay, you feel me saying nobody better not read it.

SPEAKER_01 5:10

Exactly, exactly. That is so true. So I want to get um, just to start off, I want to talk about 20 something media. You know, your baby, you know, um, I'm extremely proud of you. You know, we just met, what, in December? Yeah. Um, and it hasn't even been that long. And, you know, I've already, you know, you showed up for me, I showed up for you. And just seeing the things that you're doing and the impact you have on the community, especially the black community, um, I just want to be able to give you a flower straight off bat. You know what I mean? I came to your event, I was able to meet people. Um, I came there with some of my buddies as well, and just the hospitality of the people that show up for you, and just knowing that it's not even on a global scale, you know what I mean? And this is just the beginning for you, so I can only imagine what's in store. So go ahead and tell everybody about 20 Something Media.

SPEAKER_02 5:57

How much time we got?

SPEAKER_01 5:58

A lot of time, man. I got a lot of time.

SPEAKER_02 6:00

Okay, so 20 Somethings Media is a digital community, has recently grown, thankfully, into uh an in-real life community as well. But it is built on educating, motivating, entertaining young black people. Um, it stands as a positive space in the media. That was what I what drove me to create it in the first place. Because we have stuff like the shade room and like these other like media things, which the shade room is a very powerful piece of media. Like they are like, I call them like evil geniuses. Marketing-wise, they're really, really smart. They know how to really capture the attention of people and I mean capture like the black community as as a whole. However, it doesn't always put the best perspectives out about young black people to people outside of our community and to each other. Like, them comments are not a safe space for anybody. Absolutely. So when I was thinking about the kind of content that I like to see on Instagram as someone who is chronically online, I want to see something more positive. It can still be funny, but not at like someone else's expense, I feel like. Exactly. So I felt like there was a missing piece in the media specifically for young black 20 Somethings, all puns intended. So I mean, I wanted to fill that space. It didn't start off that way. Originally I wanted to sell a product, and so 20 Somethings was um really just like the media side of it, and then eventually it was gonna be the content that backed up a product. But I I kind of got lost in the content of it all.

SPEAKER_04 7:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 7:29

And I am loving being lost in it truly. Um it's grown a lot. It started back in 2021 when I was starting my master's program at Florida State, studying integrated marketing communications. So this is um it's pretty layered. I I call myself a professional yapper because I have like, you know, in real life outgoing, extroverted experience, but also like the books, the theories, all that kind of stuff too. So um, yeah, I'll say it was just content, just kind of like Instagram posts, um, even some videos and things in like 2023, 2024. I started like mini mic um interviews uh at FairMuse Homecoming, stuff like that. 2024 is when things kind of started to scale a bit. And with my first in-person event fully hosted by me in November of 2025, and I started doing pop-ups and like activations at events earlier in 2025, it has definitely grown exponentially pretty quickly in the last couple of months. So that's been really, really exciting. And I am having a really good time introducing 20 something's media to more and more people, and people are really starting to see the vision, and it is so fulfilling, I'll say, because especially when I first started, like my good friends, I love them so much, but when I was telling them, like, okay, I want to start this uh this multimedia platform, and they're like, okay, yeah, girl, like they don't really know what it is. They it's it's kind of hard to explain in some ways, especially like the visions and how far I see it going. So they weren't really sure. I had they had to kind of see it happen to be like, oh, okay, I get it. Like they was gonna stand 10 toes behind me either way. But it's I it's good to see that, you know, eventually they understood it. And now as it's being introduced to more people, it's being perceived in the way that I would like it to, the way that I'm putting it out. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:20

You know, and just what, it's been five years. Yes. All that within five years. And you know, the thing is too that you said you got lost in it. And I feel like a lot of people get whenever they get lost, they you know become doubtful and they become, you know, they self-sabotage yourself and they end up giving up on their dreams. For you, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. So I just want to say that, you know, even it's a lot of people out here that you probably not aware of that actually look up to you. So how do you handle, you know, because for instance, like you said in the beginning, you got lost and everything's going fine now, but what is the the the back end of everything? You know what I mean? Because not only do you have to remain consistent, but you still have to show up because your your platform is for people. Yeah. It's not for just charity, it's for the people. How do you continue to show up and remain consistent and remain accurate with everything that's going on in the world?

SPEAKER_02 10:17

So um, first when I say I got lost in it, I do mean that just like in creating the content, I got kind of like, I like I just really liked doing that. And the eventually, like the product of it all just kind of like went off. So I guess, yeah, I kind of did get lost in it, but it was kind of like I shifted focus, is what I'll say. But as far as staying consistent with everything, I am a team of one. Um I it's everything is me, my Canvas subscription, my uh CapCut Pro subscription, um, and my iPad, truthfully. It's it's really just me. So it is difficult sometimes to stay up to date and accurate. I do, it's got to be accurate. It's no point in having this platform and putting stuff out from the perspective of young black people if I'm just gonna be saying anything. So, you know, I definitely have to have my ducks in the roll, my facts all there. Um, it is a lot, I'll say it. Like you said, it's not a self-serving thing. It is fulfilling to me, but only when it is perceived and put out there and appreciated by the people that it is meant to be seen and appreciated by. So it's definitely a lot. It is a lot, but I enjoy doing it. So it doesn't always feel like work. Sometimes it does, but it doesn't always, you know how that goes but it doesn't always feel like, oh my gosh, I have to do this, I have to do this. I, you know, reframe it to like, oh, I get to make this post telling people about yada yada and rahda rada, you know. So um, yeah, and I like to think of myself like 20 something's media is needed. People need to see, you know, um positive content that feels so like um familiar too. I always want my content to feel as if it's from a friend or like it's something that you would read in your group chat. Very relatable. Yes, very, very relatable. It's a lot of my voice, honestly, which as I grow and want to have a team, I have to kind of transfer it so it doesn't just straight up sound like it's just Charity Graham extended, but 20 something's media does feel like an extent an extension of my own personality. But I just wanted to just feel taking from that, so it's not just my personality, but it's friendly, it's relatable, it's lighthearted, it's funny, you know, it's all of it's all of that.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

I mean, and like like I said earlier, it's it's working, you know what I mean? And um when we first met and uh Ruthie extended out basically your name, and I was just like, damn, she'd be perfect. Like it's it's it's just the energy and the hospitality that you provide and that you bring, it doesn't make it seem like it's the same thing over and over, you know, and it's it's good that you remain consistent through it all. Um, but like you said, it's you you just said something um that we both understand. Sometimes it can become overwhelming, sometimes it can you know become like, damn, you know, it's not that the fact that it feels like work, but it's like okay, damn, this is a lot, especially with it just being us. And a lot of people don't understand why it just has to be us. And that goes into financials, that goes into just being able to trust people to have the same vision, and like you said earlier, you mentioned it to your friends. It's it's not the fact that they didn't believe in you, they just didn't see how far it can go like you do. Right. And that's important to have a team because if somebody only sees your vision halfway, they're gonna give a half-ass performance.

SPEAKER_03 13:25

Right.

SPEAKER_01 13:26

So how just explain, you know, the behind the scenes work of everything and how it's not as easy and it's not as predictable as people can think. Because this is not a guaranteed, you know, type of work.

SPEAKER_02 13:38

Yeah, nothing is guaranteed. Honestly, even with um, because eventually I do want 20 South Media to make me some money, pay me, pay my bills and things, that would be ideal. Um, and I haven't generated from the content alone, I'll say, I it's not generating me money to make a post. Like, I'm not making, even when they go viral, it's not making me any money. You know what I mean? This is all off straight passion. So the behind the scenes just, I mean, it looks like a lot of being on Canva, moving stuff around, a lot of, a lot of graphic design, I'll say. And then um beyond that, there also are articles that are written and posted on 20 somethingsmedia.com. So sometimes there is um, you know, some like editorial work that goes into it too. And I've had other people write articles for me as well, but sometimes it is just me. I'm up in there, I'm I'm writing, I'm getting pictures to go with it. Um, I have a community calendar that has been neglected in the last couple of months, but I will be going and finding events across like the nation that are clearly targeting young black people, their cool events, and I will be like getting their event details, putting them in the calendar. I have to get pictures and all of that. So it's a lot. And I'm I do all that on the back end, then make a post to promote it on the Instagram. Um, when I go to events and I do like um mini-mic event coverage, or when I do like activations at events and stuff, I gotta think of the activation, put it together, uh film it, be there at the event present, interacting with people. Then I gotta go home, do all the editing. I'm doing all this. I'm working off of like probably like six gigabytes of storage at most.

SPEAKER_01 15:10

Mm-hmm. They don't understand. They do not understand the storage part.

SPEAKER_02 15:14

Like my God. I I would delete message threads. I don't know what we said two weeks ago. Girl, I I needed uh I needed to take a video. I had to delete our whole thread. Whole group chat is gone. So um it's it's a lot of that. And the and then the editing to like, I enjoy the editing once I'm in the process, but all it does sometimes hang over my head, like, oh, okay, dang, I had to edit this video, I had to do this, because like you do want to remain consistent. You do want to have systems in place so that it is um it's easier to stay consistent. And especially if eventually you do want to bring on a team and you have the financials and the resources to do that, um, you want to already have things in place so that your team knows, like, okay, these resources are here, or this is, you know, templates, just ways to do things so that they come in and they're not just doing anything. You know, and it's easier for them also to see the vision if they can see that, like, if they can, if it's just more solid to follow, I guess, especially if you're gonna be like a part of it, truly. So that's just some behind the scenes of it. It's a lot of a lot of thinking, a lot of editing, a lot of just stuff. But I like media, I like creating, so I enjoy it. It's it's like second nature, second nature for you.

SPEAKER_01 16:21

Um, so where does this passion come from? Because I feel like, you know, can do you think your passion is your purpose? Can that can that be possible? Can or is it something that, you know, developed over time? Like how how do you how do you view your passion for you know being present for the community? Because like I said, it's for for most people, it's easier to forget about and stop doing because it's an option.

SPEAKER_02 16:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 16:44

For you, it's a passion. So where does it come from? You know, like it has to be something that, you know, it's huge in your heart because like like I think I tell people um majority of the time, like, I don't have to do this. Like you said before, we're not getting no money from this. So a lot of people think behind the scenes, oh, they're getting paid. Oh, no, this is I'm showing up for you. This is for you. It's also for me too, because I feel good doing it, but like this is for you, but I have a passion for it. Yeah. So where does your passion come from?

SPEAKER_02 17:13

So I have how I am just extroverted and real, just kind of outgoing. I have been like this since I was a kid. Like I've always been very talkative. I've always liked creating stuff, making stuff. So I think it's even interesting for me to see how that's changed forms over the years, how it's been expressed differently. Like when I was a kid, I used to love me a good lemonade stand. I feel like, honestly, I thought I was gonna be an entrepreneur or a business owner low-key a little bit before now. And I some I struggle with calling 20 South Media a business because, again, no direct revenue most of the time. So um, that's changing a little bit now with like events coming into the space. But yeah, I have always been very creative, wanting to do stuff, creative things, I'll say. Um, yeah, I used to make like keychains with my friends. I made like, my mom was a seamstress, so I I've sold some stuff and was like, maybe I could have me a clothing line. Like it was just always something I wanted to make and create and just do. Like I've always wanted to have my hands in, hands on of some stuff. And let's see, when I was in high school trying to figure out what to study in college, this is when it was really like, okay, how do I encapsulate all of this into something? And I was like, I don't even know what meant. I almost went to school for marketing. I almost went to, I was going to FMU either way. So I was almost doing uh marketing in SBI. Um, I was looking at UCF for, not UCF, USF, and they had an advertising program that almost got me. I'm not gonna lie, it almost got me. But um I didn't do that either, and then I found public relations, and I was like, because really I wanted to study people, but not like in a psychology kind of way. I just really enjoy talking to people, meeting new people, like talking to strangers. I love doing stuff like that in the in the in the Ross line, in the grocery store, just anyway, like little one-liners with strangers. I walk away and I'll be like, uh, that was nice. You know what I mean? I do like talking to strangers quite a bit. And it's just something about like having uh something to say, but wanting it to be perceived a certain way. So it's like it's all about the way that you say you have to know what you want to say, how you want it perceived, and who you're talking to, also. And some people don't really know how to how to do that. Like communication.

SPEAKER_01 19:29

I'm one of them.

SPEAKER_02 19:30

Like, oh Lord.

SPEAKER_01 19:31

I mean, it it no, let me let me correct myself. It depends. Like, you're a very outgoing person. Trade, don't speak until I'm spoken to. Like, it's very hard. I told you this before I can the event. I said, it is very hard for me to just go places and just be like, hey, how are you doing? Like, if something is like, if it's relatable, if it's similar, like I can, I can thrive off of that. But like, you throw me in a room, it's five people I don't know, and my goal is to start a conversation with them. Like, I have to see something that I can relate to or am comfortable with. But if it's just like a regular, random, you know.

SPEAKER_02 20:06

Which is which is real. I mean, there are people who are like, they there's like networking coaches that'll teach you how to go into rooms and find something to talk about. Because it doesn't come natural to everybody, truly. But I mean, like I said, the yapping has been in me. My report card said, great student, great girl, she just talked too much. Talkative, okay? I and I already know that. I already know that. Yeah. Um, but yeah, as far as where the passion came from, um, I mean, I grew up in church, like singing in church. So, I mean, the create the dancing in church. Um, we used to have youth Sunday, so we could do like all the different, I done did just about everything. I done prayed, I read the scripture, I have MC to church, like, and next week we'll have kind of stuff. So I've I've always, I've never been scared of talking in front of crowds. Um, and my mom, obviously, she knows that I'm, she, she know, she knows her kids, so she would always like push me to do stuff like this to go and speak at some stuff, or like not being shy either. So, because I don't really think I've ever been like too shy. I mean, I still get like nervous a little bit, but I just have learned to push through the nervousness and just to kind of do it scared. And um I'm very glad because I can't imagine how many opportunities I would have missed out on if I would have been too scared to walk up to a stranger or too scared to like put myself out there. So yeah, I will say it is a passion that has developed over the years, but it's always been kind of like present. You know that one TikTok sign, it's like Maddie knew who she was from a young age. That's that's how I feel. That's how I feel.

SPEAKER_01 21:35

Like, I mean, yeah, that's it. It's it sounds like it's it was always been rooted in you. It's been destined, you know what I mean? And you kept following it, and look where you are now. So that's that's good, you know? And for somebody that's the complete opposite, you know, it's it's like it's it just I feel like bubbly right now. Like it's I I don't know. Like it's like it's I don't know. I um the the the episode I have dropping Wednesday um with someone I know her name is Debbie. Like I told her before we started, I was like, you have a bubbly, energetic attitude, and I love it because it just makes me want to just feel off it. Just like just rub off it. Cause I'm just like, damn, I'm not usually like this. I'm more of like a reserve champion. Yeah, reserved kind of guy. You know what I mean? And I can talk. I can, yeah, but I gotta, you know, get in that groove. But to know that it's always been in you, it just makes me feel like, damn, like that could be me. I can start today and just be bubbly trade. You know what I mean? It's not a bubbly trade. It's it's it's it's easier said than done, but like it's just knowing that somebody, I'm not gonna say you've been positive your whole life. Of course you've been through things, but like you remain the same through your youth to now is like you can do the same thing too. You don't have to be this, yeah, you don't gotta be Johnny Bravo. You can be a nice, you know, reserve, you know, happy guy. But my next question is for you. Um, on the back end, you know, I see things, um, I always watch from a distance and I always compliment when I can. The one thing I will say that I truly love about everything you do, you have a community that supports you 110%. Yes. As someone that, you know, uh now that I'm more out and I have to be an extrovert and do different things, I'm noticing now that I don't have a big community. And it's and it's it hurts from time to time, but you know, like I said before, I'm Johnny Bravo, it doesn't really phase me because I know that no matter whatever I do, whenever I put something out, somebody's gonna receive it, whether it be one person or a hundred people, they're gonna receive it and it's gonna help them.

SPEAKER_04 23:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:33

How did you build your community? Or is that something that has, you know, for instance, like I just said, it rubbed off based off of your energy, or was that something that had to get built brick by brick?

SPEAKER_02 23:42

Mm-hmm. So thankfully, like I said, I am a friendly person and I would like to think that I do have good energy. So, I mean, when I meet people, I just kind of lead with that. Yeah. And um, like you said, how you said, like, uh, just me being so bubbly, it's it's making you feel that way too. I do like to, like, I like to sometimes talk to the like a someone who looks shy in a room and go and talk to them because more than anybody else, these people who are already working the room and talking to everybody, that person is gonna remember you coming over there to them, making them feel more comfortable. I love turning a shy person into a yapper. It is oh my, I love doing that, especially with a man. I love doing stuff like that. Like you think you all nonchalant, all this kind of stuff, and then we get to talking. And look, I I came in doing all the talking, I'm not gonna lie. But after a while, look, you yapping, and now I'm listening. That's the kind of stuff I like. I love doing stuff like that. So, dang, what was the question? You see, I get tossed in the yap.

SPEAKER_01 24:37

How did your community, you know, come apart?

SPEAKER_02 24:41

Okay, yes. So, um, like I said, I have always been friendly like this. So my friends always tell me, I got too many friends. I've always had probably at least, at least two or three friend groups all throughout life. And so then as I go and I meet new people, it's just, it just grows. I don't know. I am someone who definitely likes to um make and create new relationships and then also um nurture the ones that I've already made. So I mean, yeah, I mean, the people that are in my life, I am so, so, so grateful for them. And as far as them being the community that they are and showing up the way that they did, like, honestly, the last press play, my setup crew, I was like, I want to kiss all y'all in the mouth. Like, they were so good. Like, literally, I came in with my clipboard, I said, I need this done, this done, this done. And they were like, yes, ma'am. And I was like, thank y'all. Like, it was, it was crazy. It was literally crazy, honestly, even how just how they showed up and they were like, and they were telling me afterwards, like, to see you and you have this vision and you're still like you go so hard for it. It is an honor to be able to help to carry it out. And I was like, Y'all gonna make me cry in this tori tori. Like it was, it was, it was beautiful, truly. And I think that, because I see people from high school, when they'll when they see me now, they were like, I always knew you was gonna do something. Like, they're like, they like, I was just like, almost like they was waiting for me to like come all the way into it. And I'll be like, wow. So it's it does make me feel like it's it's been in me for quite some time. And um, yeah, I think I just have a community that feels that same way. Like they see the work I put in, they see the passion. So when I say I need some help with something, they are always like there and ready. And so I really, I really appreciate that. But I also am supportive of my friends and what they have going on too, and just my community in general. Um, people that I maybe want to be connected with, or I see them as what 20 Somethings Media stands to support. Like I go to local shows, I go to hear local artists perform, I go to other events that one, it could be something that 20 somethings media would want to create, something that we want to um like report on, like the mini mic videos that I do, I would just see an event and say, oh, that looks cool. I could do some content at that because people aren't gonna say you can't come and do interviews. Ain't nobody gonna say that. So I'll just I'll just show up with my mics. Really, I just show up because I'm like, this is cool, this is dope. I want to be in the space, I want to be a part of it. And um, yeah, that helps too, honestly, going and just meeting those new people in those spaces. Like-minded individuals are always going to support most of the time if they have good people you want to be connected with. So, I mean, I feel like that's that's really bad. I just show up. That's probably the biggest thing about building a good community is showing up in these spaces, showing up for the people once you meet them, and and being genuine about it. That's probably the biggest thing, too, is showing up and showing up genuinely and authentically. Like, for sure. If you want someone a part of your community just for for what they can gain, they're not gonna be part of your community. Maybe maybe like a network or more like business associated kind of word, but no, it has to be real and authentic.

SPEAKER_01 27:43

For sure. And I feel like even with that, you know, I I know a lot of other people that have businesses and that have different platforms, which I'm very grateful for because I can just easily, hey, I want you to meet this person, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. I love plucking people into other people's life just for the purpose because I can see someone's vision. I mean, I see it exactly how they do, but I have the utmost respect for and I have the utmost faith in it. That way, if I'd be like, okay, you want to start a hot dog stand, I'm gonna find somebody that like hot dogs. And I'm gonna find somebody that that already owns a stand. That way they can help you with your stand. Right.

SPEAKER_02 28:15

Like, I actually know someone with a secret sauce that would go great on your hot dogs.

SPEAKER_01 28:19

Exactly. You know what I mean? So I just love plucking other people in other people's direction because I want everyone's journey to be well. However, the one thing that I do dislike about communities is that it's always that one person or it's a few people that are only in it for the benefits. How do you separate people that are unintentional and that only want to be around you for what you have or what you will receive in the future? For instance, you throw events. So a lot of people are like, oh, I'm trying to get in free, you know. I mean, I can just keep liking and reposting, and then I can she should give me a free ticket.

SPEAKER_02 28:54

I just feel like you can kind of feel when they ain't in it for real. Like I have seen that the cost of community is inconvenience. So I have inconvenienced myself at times for the betterment of, for, for like my community, or to um, you know, for the sake of community, for like doing something for somebody, and it's just it's inconvenient to me, but it would help that person. So I feel like if that person isn't, you know, willing to inconvenience themselves for you, I don't know. How how deep are they in the community? Are they are they just in it for themselves or are they in it for the community, for the mutual benefit of us? Because I mean, I don't know. Hmm. Some people do just be trying to just be. They're just trying to be around. Just trying to be around for real, which is, I mean, that is gonna happen. Yeah. But I guess you just wouldn't prioritize. I'll say those kind of like um, maybe even like collaborations and just that kind of energy, I feel like. Those kind of those kind of people.

SPEAKER_01 29:50

See it though. How how do you how do you know I mean, like I know for us it's like you just know, but like, if you had to explain it to somebody that, you know, have a lot of snakes in their yard, but they they just ain't cutting too low to see them, yeah. How would you tell them, like, okay, you need to pay attention to this? Like, one, what's one thing you think people need to pay attention to?

SPEAKER_02 30:07

I mean, honestly, it's easier to see like if that person has something that they're trying to build on their own, then I am more inclined to like to trust them a bit, I'll say. Because we both got, we both are trying to go somewhere, we're both on a path, and we both got some stuff to lose, too. You know, I think it's Whoa whoa.

SPEAKER_00 30:29

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SPEAKER_02 30:43

That might be something, but I don't know. Sometimes I feel like you can feel from the energy. Me, I am, because I am so friendly, and sometimes my friends call me, I hate it when they call me naive, but sometimes I do get that word. So I will also like vet some people. Like I will send it to my homegirl, to my friends, and be like, what you know about so-and-so? You know, what is what's the T because as I'm getting deeper into the Orlando creative space and even like the um like the music space, I am I'm like I'm kind of a newbie around here. So I'm like, well, what's what who's who who should I talk to? Who should I steer clear of? All of that kind of stuff. So I mean, that helps as far as knowing the the snakes in the yard is having some people who can um who done been in the yard a little bit before me too.

SPEAKER_04 31:24

Yeah, for sure.

SPEAKER_02 31:25

But yeah, I don't know exactly if there's a specific thing that I look for in terms of people just wanting to buy. I mean, because they're not really always good at hiding it either, that they just want something for their own benefit. They do sure. This the what is it called? The uh in sheep's clothing, the wolf in sheep's clothing, it'd be like she in sheep uh costumes. I can see through it. Like I see you can tell, you could tell.

SPEAKER_01 31:48

For sure. I definitely agree with that. And for me, it's uh I won't say it's new to me because I was a promoter before all of this, so I already.

SPEAKER_02 31:55

Yeah, I had to dig deep to figure that out. I said, okay, not too much period. You had you lived a whole nother life before this.

SPEAKER_01 32:01

Hey, wait, somebody told you that?

SPEAKER_02 32:02

No, no, I did a little lurking.

SPEAKER_01 32:04

Oh, you did a little lurking. I did a little lurking. When we when we met, all that was gone. Yeah, exactly. So I don't I don't know. I don't know. Whatever you found, I don't know how you found it, but you found it. So you do you got it, all right? Investigating. Come on now. Hey man. You ain't you ain't the only one. You ain't the only one who can do some scrolling, some looking. But yeah, I was I was promoted before that, but even in this space now, it's it's kind of weird because it's like, I am just doing stuff with cameras. Like, I'm just getting up here talking, and people want, oh, I got a I got a crazy story to tell. And I always give people the chance. If I don't know them, I try to get on the phone call with them and I'll be like, Yeah, let me let me vet you out a little bit. Um, so what you gotta say? Man, I just feel like you know, people ain't shit, all right, yeah, brother, yeah. We'll catch you on the next season. Yeah, this is not that. You just want to get on here because you see an opportunity.

SPEAKER_02 32:52

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 32:53

This is not for opportunities. No, I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 32:54

To get somewhere with a mic. Honestly, as a as a podcaster, like I can only imagine the people that come to you, like, oh yeah, let me get on the pod, let me get on the podcast. I could I can only imagine. Like, if I was you, I probably would be like, I'm not checking requests. I will reach out to you.

SPEAKER_01 33:09

I I had to post about that because it did, it was getting bad. And I'm humble to the fact that people even reach out to me. Yeah, that's but it's it's it's it's like like come on, bro. Like, this ain't for you, brother. You know, if you want to do that, start your own podcast. You know, I will help you, but don't, you ain't gotta be on mine to talk about that. Like, and I've had some guests that want to take directions with that, and I'm like, nah, this ain't that. Yeah, this is this. So, my next question for you is, you know, through everything that you've done so far, what is one thing that you learned about yourself through all of the processes, all the phases, because everything seems to have been good. You know, I'm like I said before, you may have had a few bumps in a row, but what is one thing that you learned about charity? Like, aside from, you know, you know, just energetic, happy, uh, you know, all the other things that, you know, you already knew about yourself. What is one thing that you like, damn, I didn't know I was capable of this? Or damn, like, I this me? Yes. So what is one thing?

SPEAKER_02 34:05

So I have always been a uh procrastinator for real. Like, you know, those kids, um, it's like, imagine it's it's fourth grade. I got a science project due the next day, and I knew I had this project for weeks. And it's it's 9 p.m. And I tell my mama, can you take me to Walmart to get a poster board? And I'm starting the project the day before. Like that, time and time again, that has happened to me. So I've always like, always been procrastinating. And honestly, sometimes I actually do feel very like lazy. Like I feel like I spent a lot of time scrolling, laying down, not doing a whole lot of stuff. So honestly, when I when I turn around and I see the stuff that I've done with 20, like the like the content that I put out, planning whole events, and then the events going well. Like literally, there were some moments that press play. I was standing there and I was like, dang, I did. Like, I put this together. Like it's it's crazy. Like I curated a whole vibe, I'll say. So I think it's just interesting to see, or what I feel like I've learned is that um my personality and the things that I felt like I was good at, that they are like, like I'm I'm really good at, I guess I'll say, and it's it's um more of a skill than I thought it was. Like I thought I was just friendly and I just, you know, had some good energy. I could make friends easily. But now I see it as I can curate content and experiences that make people feel good. So I'll say it's one, I found out that I am a harder worker than I give myself credit for sometimes. And um, yeah, that the skills are much bigger than just having a big personality and um, you know, being creative, knowing how to do some of those stuff on Canva. Like, no, I have some, I make some flies, but hey, now it people be like, who's your graphic designer if I do say myself? I can, I can, I can get jiggy on camera now for real. And I think it's just seeing that those those skills are bigger than, yeah, just having a personnel, like it truly is a skill, I'll say. So I think I've I've learned that about myself. I think that's I think that's pretty much it. I think, yeah, though.

SPEAKER_01 36:10

That's what's up. And and I always uh tend to say this, we are we're always our biggest haters. Like, I feel like we always, we know, it's it's like uh it's like it's very twofold. Like, we know we like the best at this shit, can't nobody fuck with us, but at the same time, it'd be like, you ain't really there yet, Brussels. Like, you ain't all that. But you you popping your shit, but you ain't all that. Yeah. Like, that's how I feel. Like, sometimes I'd be saying that by myself with podcasts, and I'd be like, yeah, like you doing your thing, you got a few little clips, and a lot of people listen to you, and you doing good. Yes. But you ain't really all that. Like, you can't you can't really step in a room and just be like, but at the same time, you can. Because it's a lot of people that quit. And it's a lot of people that if y'all go head ahead, you're gonna blow them out.

SPEAKER_02 36:54

Yes, I think it's just as you see the vision, you see how far you want it to go. So instead of turning around and seeing how far you've come, all you can see is how much further you want to go. So I think that's why we often end up, you know, being like that to ourselves. Because I I am the same way. I have to, I have some friends that have to be like, you know, don't downplay what you're doing, all that kind of stuff. And it's it's very necessary because again, it's very easy to think like, yeah, I'm, yeah, it's cool or whatever, yeah. I'm I'm I'm doing my thing, but I ain't I ain't really you know what I mean? Yes, because there is a lot of people that quit or a lot of people who are um they'll say, Oh, I like what you're doing. I'm trying to do something similar. And I'm like, okay, great. I can't wait to support it. And then the Instagram page is made. It ain't got no post. It ain't got no post on it. Deactivated. Deactivated, they didn't.

SPEAKER_01 37:40

Under construction.

SPEAKER_02 37:41

Oh, oh my gosh. They do, they do one thing and then they stop. And it's like, I'm not even like trying to talk bad about it, but it's like, dang, like, I was ruined for you. I was excited to see what you had going on. Why you stopped? You really never started. Sometimes they never really start. It's just a whole lot of like, this talk and no start. I'll be like, dang, man, come on.

SPEAKER_01 37:59

You could, you could do it. You could do it. Do you do you have friends like that though?

SPEAKER_02 38:04

I have some friends that have things that they want to do, but they are not necessarily doing the stuff to do it. Like they're like, yeah, it would be cool to do this. And I'm like, right, girl, so do it. So do it, you know? And I'm like, I want to help you. I want to root for you. I want to have something that I can say, like, yes, my friend is doing yada yada yada. You know, I want to be able to brag about you, but sometimes it's like they're stuck in fear of like, uh, it's a lot of fear of being perceived. Honestly, as outgoing as I am, I don't have a lot of friends that are like exactly on this energy. I have a lot, which is probably good for some balance. I can't imagine me hanging out with like three of me's. Like, of course, you know, my friends, they have energy, they're funny, they, you know, all that kind of stuff. But a lot of my friends are a lot more reserved. Like, when we go out somewhere, I am definitely the one who's going to walk up to some strangers and and talk first for sure. But um, yeah, I do have I have some friends that have things that they that want to do. And some of them say that I do like inspire, like they see me doing stuff and chasing after my dreams of 20 somethings, and they come back and say that I inspire them. I'm like, oh, like that that really touches my heart. And that's why I'm really like, okay, so yes, like get out and do what it is that you want to do because you can do it.

SPEAKER_01 39:18

So how so if they're not, if your friends are fearful, does that affect the relationship at all? Or is that something that you kind of expect, being that you may have experienced fear, you know, in the beginning before, too?

SPEAKER_02 39:30

I would never fault a friend for being scared. I would never fault. I mean, now now when you are just like like ignoring every all of your potential and stuff, it does get to be like, all right now, girl, come on, like what you waiting on? But it's never, I'm not gonna, I ain't gonna cut nobody off because they're scared to do their stuff, you know. It's just, I'm just gonna be like, danger, you could have did it, girl. You could have, you could have did it, but it's never gonna affect the relationship.

SPEAKER_01 39:51

And what do you, what do you, you know, like I this is gonna be hard to answer, but like, where do you see 20-something landing? Like, where do you, because like like for me, when people ask me, okay, where do you see your podcast going? I'm like, honestly, I don't even think it's gonna be a podcast when it's said and done. Like it might be something else. Like, I don't, I don't know, bro. Like, this could take off and go. Like, I've heard people say, Oh, you're gonna have a TV show. Oh, you're gonna have, I don't know, you're gonna be a motivated speaker. Like, I I don't know where it's gonna go. Do you know where you would like to end up, or do you just want to just keep going and see where it takes you?

SPEAKER_02 40:24

I mean, I got ideas. I got plans. Like, um, so like I said, it started off as an Instagram page, but even then I have visions of it being comparable to like essence, is what I usually compare it to. So, like, I wanna have podcasts and media things under the umbrella of 20 Somethings media. I want to have like festivals and things. I want to have so many different forms of media under 20 Somethings media, truly. And I mean, even with like events how they are now, like, I throw, I threw two day parties. I'm gonna throw a day party smoke. I didn't even see it being that per se until it happened and it and it went well. So now, like events in general, like a lot of people like hitting me up for collaborations to things now. They're they're talking about like parties and stuff, and I'm like, hold on, y'all. I am actually not a party promoter. Like, I know which way I don't want it to go too far in. I'll say, like, I don't want people to be confused about what Twenty Sunthers Media is.

SPEAKER_04 41:21

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 41:21

But I also am not limiting myself, you know. I wanna, I wanna do a lot. I want Twenty Suthers to be able to show up in a lot of different ways in spaces. I want it to be as versatile as young black people in their 20s are, which is so many different walks of life. I want to be able to connect with all of those different people and meet them where they're at. So, I mean, I I see 20 Sumeths media. When you said where we're gonna land, I ain't even really trying to land. We're gonna take it to the moon. Take her to the stars. We're gonna take it up there. We're gonna take it up there. So, I mean, I don't know. I would love to do like a festival. I do want to do more events, different kinds of events, not just like parties and things. Uh, I wanna I wanna do a lot. Have me some merch. I wanted to do a podcast for a while, but and I was I was really diehard. Like, that's gonna be the next wave of 20 something's like, I'm just the Instagram page now, but when I start that podcast, like I was really like, when I was um at Florida State, they had a podcast studio. Now, white people's money stretched. Okay, they got everything over there. So I was like, okay, I can start filming here and all this kind of stuff. I went in there one time and I never went back. So all the buttons scared me. I didn't know what to do with any of that. So I was just, um, and after a while I was, I was beating myself up, like, oh, this podcast, I'm never gonna start it. I don't know when I'm rich gonna do it. And I mean, all the opportunities came up. I was then I started doing the mini mic stuff. Then people were like, oh, 20 South Media is a podcast. And I'm like, well, no. So it's it's a lot.

SPEAKER_01 42:47

It's yeah, it's hard. It's a lot. It's hard in the media world to not get labeled to one specific box. Like, um, you know, Zach and me and Zach had a conversation um when I called him and we chopped it up, and he was like, uh, I'm trying to remember exactly what he said. He was like, I don't want to, I don't want to be called a network. And I was like, you don't have to be a network. Right. You can be whatever you want to be. You can be a platform, you can be whatever. Like, you don't have to allow what people tell you or allow what people say you are to be what you are. Like you can just be your name. Yeah. Whatever, whatever you want to be. You don't have to be anything. Because, like I said, like for now I'm calling myself a podcast because that's what I'm doing right now. I haven't done like many mics, I haven't done any hosting events. Yet. But yeah, yet, but under my LLC is Trail Truths Media LLC. It's not no podcast. You're not gonna label me, but for the time being, this is what I'm doing. This is this is what's going on. Exactly. So my next question to you is, you know, the being the fact that you don't have um, like you said, like a landing spot. What is the like the the the issues that come with that as far as in like, you know, because I tell people all the time we have to be on 24 7. Like your mind has to continue to be crazy. Sometimes you have to be very youthful, almost childish in a sense, in order to, you know, remain creative. Yeah, it's a good idea. So what is exactly. So what issues come up with that? Like, like we already talked about the people that come, but like if somebody wanted to start what you're doing, what issues can they expect along the way?

SPEAKER_02 44:18

So, like you said, you do want to give yourself the room to dream. Like, child, like does if you had no no budget, no limits, what could you do, what would you do? And then kind of see what you can, like if you're if this is your vision up here and you're down here, what can you do? What how can you emulate this where you're at, I'll say. Um, and then issues that could come with that is that um, especially like you said, if you don't have a specific, you know, like end goal, is just making sure that you are still um sticking true to your pillars and your roots. Because I don't have an end goal of what 20 Sundays Media will will look like. It's truly in God's hands. But I do know that I want that impact to always stay the same. I want it to be rooted in young black people, our perspectives, our stories, our experiences. I know that that is what I want it to um to always emulate, no matter what facet it is. So I think you just have to make sure that you stay true to that because, like I said, people are like, can you come and throw my party in your club? And I'm like, that is actually anti-everything. The party is anti-club. Why would I have my party in your club? So it's like, it's very easy to just have ideas and things. Like, even sometimes I have my own idea, like, oh, maybe I should do this. And then I'm when I think about it, I'm like, is that really like, is that off the path? Is that off of like, like, like, is that in the pillars?

SPEAKER_04 45:41

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 45:41

Let's reel it back in. How can we take this and put it back where it's supposed to be at? Or maybe we need to scrap the whole thing. So just being able, you need to be able to stick to like, just don't veer too far off. Yeah. I wouldn't even say niche, but like just like your, like, don't go too far off your original like pillars. I'll say really the pillars, the plans, um, what you want your overall impact to be. Yeah. Just keep that in mind with what you're doing. So I think I think I would say that. For sure, for sure.

SPEAKER_01 46:14

I mean, that's that's that's true because sometimes I start seeing things like uh it's many other people that do podcasts in the world, over a million, I'm pretty sure. Everybody got a microphone. Yeah. These things must be on sale. Yeah. They need to be, they need to be limited, but we're not gonna get into that. Um, being the fact that, you know, everyone does it, it's easy to adventure off based on what you see from other people, especially because some people like to compare themselves to what other people are going, especially if they're already successful without knowing what all they've been through in order to get where they are.

SPEAKER_04 46:45

Right.

SPEAKER_01 46:45

I say that to say this. A lot of people um compare themselves because they see somebody successful and they're like, oh, I can see myself doing this when this is really not for you.

SPEAKER_04 46:55

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 46:56

Um, and sometimes even with podcasts, I catch myself doing that too, because it's like a lot of guys that I watch, they some of them, they're motivational speakers, some of them they sell books, some of them they sell clothes, juices, food. They do all different types of stuff. And I'm just like, damn, like, all right, Trey, uh, maybe you should do a book, but See, but is that your lane?

SPEAKER_02 47:16

Yeah, is that possible? Is that your lane? Is that natural feeling for you? Like, is that are you inspired by these people? Are you seeing them like, oh, are you worried? Like, oh, maybe I need to do something like that. Maybe I need to, you know what I mean? So I think being inspired is one thing, but seeing other people and just thinking, like, oh, I need to do that. Oh, I need, you know, it's like, you gotta remember, like, well, where I'm at, is that natural for what I've got going on? Is it imitation or is it inspiration, you know? So For sure.

SPEAKER_01 47:42

And I also want to ask this too. Um, what is one thing that, you know, I'm starting to ask this more in my episodes now. What is one thing you wish you kind of would have heard back then? Or what is one thing that, um, yeah, what is one thing you wish you would have heard back then that, you know, would have lit this bulb up, the bulb up earlier, or would have, you know, been like, okay, you may be thinking this right now, but it's all gonna be good in the end.

SPEAKER_02 48:06

Like when I was starting 20 somethings, honestly, I wish I would have started it a little earlier. I think that it came to me at a a good time, the best time, truly. Because I mean, I guess it came to me when I was about, when I was about 21. So entering my 20s. So I couldn't have started 20 somethings when I was 19, I guess. But uh right, right, right. But no, what I think of, I started when I was, yeah, like 21, 22. So if anything, I wish that before I just would have been more involved with like on-campus media because FMU and J School had like, they had a magazine, they had a newspaper, they had a radio station. So if I would have known that I would have wanted to be literally in all of these different media spaces on my own accord later on, maybe I would, I could have had tried to have me a radio show. I could have wrote a couple of articles and tried to, you know, move up in the ranks in like the school magazine and all of that kind of stuff. I wish I would have just to get some more experience and to have more experience working with the team, maybe even managing a team, because that's probably why I ain't got no team now. I don't really know what to do with the folks. I don't really know what to do with them. So I definitely I would, I would tell myself to um get in those spaces a little sooner. But I mean, when I will, I didn't know exactly what it was I wanted to go into back then. Like my degree, my undergraduate degree is in public relations. So I did a couple of internships in public relations and kind of like trying to secure media coverage for companies. And I didn't like it. So I feel like I didn't, I didn't waste the time. I still got the experience. But um, I kind of wish I just would have figured it out sooner. I mean, everybody wishes they would have figured it out sooner what they want to do. So I think that's that's probably what I would tell myself is just to try new things. Try try some try some other things. And then the things were right in front of me. So I just wish I would have like taken that leap and got into it.

SPEAKER_01 49:57

More likely like be open, be open to a variety of things and more expansion.

SPEAKER_02 50:01

Yeah. Cause I mean, even now, my experience in in media, like working in it is pretty like, is pretty broad. I work in marketing communications for my nine to five. And then like I've done stuff in public relations, I worked in social media strategy, and uh a lot of I like everything I have done at my jobs, I have absolutely put it into 20 somethings media. Like all systems that I have had at my peak, I had 20 somethings media content planned out in like uh, I had a deck like how I used to do at work when I worked for a marketing agency. So planning out like from the month, and then each post would have its own slide. I'm planning out the captions, what it's gonna look like, all of that kind of stuff. When I'm like peak organized, that's the kind of time I'm on. I ain't seen that doc in a long time, but it just be off the seat of my pants. Like I see something like, oh, I should make a post like this or something. Like I try to have some kind of systems, but a lot of times, especially now with so many events and like in real life activations for 20 somethings, like that's again, that's a pivot I did not see coming, at least not this soon while it's while it's still just me doing it. But like it's it's it's har it's hard sometimes to focus on, you know, one facet, I'll say. Even not just the social media, but just one thing. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01 51:16

Yeah, it's it's tough, especially when you have a creative mind and you know your vision is like, it's like, it's like you can see it, but it's so far, but you like go over here a little bit, but I'm gonna still be on track. So it's definitely understandable, especially, you know, with myself being a creator um and doing different things as an entrepreneur, like I didn't I done did it all. I done did it all.

SPEAKER_00 51:38

I done did it all.

SPEAKER_01 51:39

And unctied. But unc want to keep going.

SPEAKER_02 51:43

Can I ask you something? So, what do you feel like you've taken from the party promoter era that you had? Do you feel like you use any of that now? And honestly, you said you don't have a big community. You didn't build a big network when you was throwing parties and getting everybody lit in the function?

SPEAKER_01 51:57

So I can answer both. Those, those are is it's two separate answers. So one, yes, I took a lot of traits that I got from being a promoter into doing what I'm doing now. When I was a promoter, I did not have promoter friends. I probably had two. So like all the the net, it was, especially coming from Orlando, the promoting world is very, very crab in the bucket.

SPEAKER_02 52:18

It seemed very beefy from where I'm looking. It looked beefy.

SPEAKER_01 52:21

It is. And I entered the promoting world once I was a senior and I was leaving out. So I got my foot in the door there, and I, you know, I just ran into issues, issues, issues, issues. But I still was winning. I was winning in my own lane. But see, to answer the next question about community, the thing with what well, I'm gonna answer it in two different ways again. The thing with promoting is you're doing for people. People don't care about the person as long as it's beneficial towards them. Yeah. Now, if they really cared for the person, most of these promoters be charging $50 to get in all the events. But they have to they have to compromise for the people because the people are like, okay, this it better be $20 because I go somewhere else. I go $5. They don't care about the person, they care about what benefits you present. So if the promoter is given good entry and they turn out to have a great event, I'm gonna keep going to break. But when he jacked up $10 more dollars, I'm cool. Nah, I've been going with you, I've been going with you for two years, but uh, it's another promote down the street, and I heard he's popping, I'm gonna go fuck with him. Right, right. It's really no community within the like, you know, some have been doing it for years, so like they have like a team or like they have certain people that regardless, I'm going to go fuck with bruh.

SPEAKER_03 53:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 53:35

But that's because it's been beneficial for them for so long. Like, I don't, it's very hard because like when I stopped, and this is probably something that happened as well, too. Why I don't have a community, it's because I stopped. I stopped in 2023. I didn't start my podcast until last year, 2025. Yeah. So that's a gap. But when I stopped, my followers dropped tremendously. Right.

SPEAKER_02 53:54

It's like he ain't supposed to no flyers no more.

SPEAKER_01 53:56

Like tremendously. And then and then I started my career. So it's like my career is anti-promoting. Yeah. So it's like a lot of people are like, Yeah. Fuck with him. I'm straight. He's trying to get his life together. So, like, you feel me? So it's like I I lost a lot when I stopped. But then now that I'm going into a different lane, it's like, okay, people are starting to come. But what the thing is, and I tell people this all the time, motivation, people don't want to be motivated all the time.

SPEAKER_02 54:23

No. Like, I feel like you're getting on them and telling them about their stuff. People don't want to hear about that stuff.

SPEAKER_01 54:28

Exactly. So it's it's harder for me because even with my friends, it's like, I gotta hold them boys accountable, I gotta hold my homegirls accountable, and they don't be wanting to hear that shit. Not out of the way. And it took me, it took me a while to learn it, but at the same time, on the back burner, I'd be like, okay, you may not, you don't have to listen to me. But you can post, you can like, you can do different things to put me out different people that do.

SPEAKER_02 54:48

Yes, people that do need to hear that account.

SPEAKER_01 54:50

My point, exactly, but my friends still don't do that. So my community is very wonky. And I'm very upfront with it. I'm very upfront about it.

SPEAKER_02 54:57

You be telling them they're funny acting?

SPEAKER_01 54:59

Absolutely. Like, I I I said this the episode that's dropping Wednesday. You can't, I I'm waiting for the day. I cannot wait for one of my friends to want to do something, and they ask, hey, can you do this for me? I'm gonna just say, recycle this. I love you to death, but recycle this. What did you do for me?

unknown 55:19

I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 55:20

You're gonna do them like that.

SPEAKER_02 55:21

You're about to say no. You're gonna say that.

SPEAKER_01 55:23

No, no, because I because in my in my world, and a lot of people may say this is childish, they may say it's petty, but I want you to feel what I felt. I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna be that friend and be like, oh, I ain't fucking with you because you ain't gonna you ain't gonna do this for me. No, because I met you before all this. It's different if I met you in this space and we we did it with each other, but I met you before all this, so I can't, you know, dismiss you because you ain't, you know, pushing something that just started. Yeah. But when you want to come to me, you can't wet me. It's in the same. No way everybody posting your spot. I have already done it before, but it's like, it's just like I be wanting people to understand like the passion that I have is free. Yeah. The support I want is free. Yeah. So when you want something from me, and all I ask for you to do is just be present or consider.

SPEAKER_02 56:08

It does, it does sting. I I definitely get that.

SPEAKER_01 56:11

It hurt it hurts because it's like I get like, oh, like this nigga think he's so motivational. Like, oh my God, you about to go.

SPEAKER_02 56:18

I definitely, I can't.

SPEAKER_01 56:19

Yeah, like you want to be, you just want to be a pastor. That's you might as well go get a church. They call you pastor. I I done heard pastor, I done heard deacon, I done heard everything. I done heard author, everything in the book. You just want to be uh I get it, but it's like, damn, bro. Like somebody else love this shit. Yeah, somebody else need this shit. Yeah. So just just uh just like my shit, though.

SPEAKER_02 56:41

That is so funny. And do you think you you'll stay like that for is it like a first time they ask you it's a no to show them what it feels like? And then after that, do you kind of warm back up to it?

SPEAKER_01 56:50

I'm very I'm very big on reciprocal energy because my whole entire life, all these 25 years, I've always been giving. I've never received nothing. Love, attention, be considered, I never received. So now I'm in a point in my life where like you want something from me, you have to be willing to do the same. Yeah. Like, for instance, like, if I gave you a connection or whatever, I told you somebody that I feel like you should take up under your wing, I know you would do the same to me. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 57:17

I don't even think twice about it. Yeah, or at least put you in a place to do so. Like, I like how press play you met so many people. I was of course I wasn't there to say, hey, meet so-and-so, but you know, like I knew that like y'all were in that space. And I was like, hopefully it just happened. And you know, that press play energy, it just gets it get people wanting to talk and network.

SPEAKER_01 57:33

My point, my point exactly. So, like, it's just like you don't have to physically do it. Like, it's just I know that it would be it would never be no ill or half-ass intent with our relationship. But when you when you do that to me, straight, man, going on somewhere. Like, I love you to death, but hell no. Like, this ain't that, man. This is not that's why I got I know a lot of people that rap. Yeah. Dog, listen, I ain't posting that shit, dog. You don't you don't want you don't want the other rappers that follow you to be motivated? I ain't posting that shit. Then the people who need motivation do not need your music. Exactly. It don't blink. Oh my god. So it it's it's very difficult for me, you know. Just I had to understand it. It it hit me recently, like once I got to a certain point when I realized more strangers were pushing me, it was just like, a lot of people don't even want to hear that motivational shit. I'm pretty sure when I was younger, shit, don't come around me with that shit. But I always had it in me, but it's just like every day somebody don't want to wake up and hear that shit. But I'm not asking for it every day. I'm just asking, you know, periodically.

SPEAKER_02 58:33

Sometimes it's just a little like a little repost. You don't even have to put on your on your story anymore. Instagram got that little repost button. That's all it takes. I appreciate though. When I see those, I'm like, uh. That's what I put me, you're spreading me to the masses. Like, I definitely get what you mean. I do get what you mean. And this, man, it's well, if y'all watching this, y'all better repost this these reels. Y'all better like this on YouTube. But Trey is not gonna rock with you.

SPEAKER_01 58:57

They already know. You don't see no like or no fire emoji under your post for me. It's because you you ain't fucking with me. I every time I see somebody do something like that.

SPEAKER_02 59:09

Then fire emojis go fire. People just just so they showing up, they're supporting, they'll put a little fire emoji. I'll be like, you know what? And I see your effort. Thank you, and I see your effort for sure. It's it's definitely. And I feel like sometimes people will like, when they sometimes I feel like when they know they're about to ask for something, that's when they start making sure that the support is seen. That's when they be like, ooh, girl, you doing good. Two weeks later, they're like, so you know I actually had been meaning to ask you something.

SPEAKER_01 59:37

It'd be them people that like 10 posts in a row and they hit you with a DM two hours a day later.

SPEAKER_02 59:42

Hate that when people blow up my message. But I mean, honestly, that be some people's like approach, truly. If they're if they're new to, if somebody else put them on, they come in, they like a couple of things, and then they come in the DMs. And I'm like, okay, that's how you found me. That's yo, that's that's that's what it is sometimes. And I and I respect it. I respect everyone who who reaches out to me for like a question or for like a collaboration or just uh some people just want to know about like what I've done, truly. Or they want to know, a lot of people do want to know how they can get in and fit in too. So I mean, I respect I respect all of it because I'd be like, me? Like, thought about me? You wanted to know what I think. You want to come on my stuff. Like, I am honored. I take all of it with humility, as you said.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:18

So yeah, man. It's that that one, yeah. My bad, but I'm a true Yapper too.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:23

So that's Oh no, I'm seeing you see what I mean?

SPEAKER_00 1:00:25

Yeah. You became the interviewee today. Yeah, I love what people ask me questions.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:31

I bet that doesn't happen too often when you're not gonna do it.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:33

No, most people, most people are very like some people do it, but most people are like nervous because like they don't know what I'm gonna ask them next. Like they just be like, they be thinking they don't be wanting to be like, oh, what about you? They'd be like, oh, let me see what he's finna ask me.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:44

Uh right, if I love questions. And honestly, and you do keep it rolling. I I had to interject to ask you that. You really keep it, you keep it going, of course.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:51

I told you, no pad, no, no paper, just all this right there.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:56

That's so interesting.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:57

So we are getting towards the end of the episode. Um, as you are aware, um, before, uh, because you was on the uh women's episode, you know, I always ask at the end, what are three truths that you have that you wish the world knew or that you feel like people should live by?

SPEAKER_02 1:01:14

Ooh, wow. Such a big question. I should have studied for this. Um, the first one, I would say do it scared. Um, you're never gonna be like 100% ready for something. Didn't that count as my second one? That'll be my second one. You're never gonna, there is no perfect time. You will never be fully, fully ready for something. You can prep for it, you can plan for it, but I feel like very rarely will you just be just fully, fully prepared. Because even if you're prepared to do it, are you prepared for what's gonna come after it, kind of thing, you know? So you will never be, you might, you may never be fully ready. I won't say never, but you you may never be fully ready for something. Very much. Hey, I uh I I'm not no therapist, I'm just saying what worked for me, okay? For sure. Then um, so I say do it scared. You'll never be a hundred percent ready. And then um do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. And I mean that as like give out good energy if that's what you want back. Like I feel like I get a lot of positive people who mean well coming to me because I make it a point that that is what I am putting out. So I think it's very big that um what you want out of this world you should put into it. What they say, be the good, be the change, all of that kind of stuff. I think those are three big things.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:45

For sure. All three good, especially the one. I ain't gonna talk about it. Ain't gonna talk about it. What the last one? No, the second one. I'm gonna take that shit to a whole different level. Ain't gonna talk about it. Ain't gonna talk about it. Uh-uh. Oh, I know how I get it. Just we ain't got time for it. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, uh-uh. Another 30 minutes.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:04

I know how Trey get. Oh my goodness. Um Yeah. All three great, great truths. And I hope that everyone takes that and runs with it and put it in your bag to carry on for the rest of your life, because they are very much needed. Um, go ahead and shout out all your platforms. Okay. Let people know where they can find you. Um, 20 something, your main page, and wherever else that you have.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:29

Okay, so 20 Somethings Media is on Instagram as 20 Somethings Media All Spelled Out. T-W-E-N-T-Y, S-O-M-E-T-H-I-N-G-S M-E-D-I-A.

unknown 1:03:41

Oof.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:42

Um, same name on TikTok, on Twitter. Um, some people all took all of the good names that I wanted. So we are 2-0-S-U-M-S underscore. It's a little ghetto. 20 Sums Media on Twitter, but we're not really on Twitter all heavily like that. Anyway, but um 20suelthessmedia.com also is where you can find uh links to our Instagram. I make a lot of playlists. I'm a music lover as well. So a lot of playlists to um coincide with posts. We have our community calendar, articles are there. When the 20 Sons Media Young, Black and Educated Scholarship comes back. That is also where you'll be able to apply. Uh a whole lot of everything is on the website. Me personally on Instagram. If you want to keep up with your girl, the charity G, T-H-E-E-C-H-A-R-I-T-Y-G. Um, I am on TikTok as Your Girl Charity. I do Ackka Fool on TikTok. My name, it is it's called Miss Aka Fool. It's in my bio. So um that's me on TikTok. Uh I don't really give about my personal Twitter because I really could I'll be saying whatever on there for real. But I think that's pretty much everything. Um, you guys can look forward to a lot more content, a lot more events, activations at other people's events. Swing Sound This Media is growing far beyond my wildest dreams, and I am so grateful for it every day. So stay tuned for any and everything.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:05

Okay. I will say this too. She is funny. She is funny. Um, I hope y'all find her TikTok because I be on TikTok to live. So it's good when, you know, other people, other funny people post things. The most recent one I seen um before we end most recent one I seen when you said you was in the gym struggling, and ain't nobody on the phone.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:26

I know, and let me say this. I was I walked up to the hip thrust machine for real, and there are four 45-pound plates on each side of this. And I was like, oh my God. Anytime like off the leg press machine, they'd be like, I expect it on the leg press machine. But the hip thrust machine, I said, Well, whose dump truck was moving this? So literally, like, I have to, it was, it was literally six plates. I had to move, and I'm struggling, and I'm in, I'll be overdoing it too. I'll be in there like, whoo like nobody gonna help me. And nobody did. So yeah, that did aggravate me. I had To make a TikTok about it. And yeah, I mean, on that app, I really just open the phone, yap, and just keep it pushing. I don't even think about it too much. I just let it fly.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:09

That's what's up, man.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:10

I definitely appreciate you coming out this way, making this drive.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:13

Yes, I enjoyed it.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:15

Hey, I try I try, you know, just a kid that records in the studio.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:20

Just a guy with a pot. Just a guy with a mic, man.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:22

Just a guy with a mic, man. A lot of people don't want us to have mics, but I'm one of the people that they are allowing to. Yeah. So I'm thankful.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:28

And you will you will see another day with your microphone. This was good.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:31

This was good. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. And just so y'all know, I'm gonna say this publicly. I will be at the next press play. The last press play, I had a lot of fun. I told my buddies, I say, I will be there. So make sure you follow charity. Stay tuned to the events. And when you see press play, make sure you get a ticket because I will already have mine. Okay. So stay tuned for volume three. Um, and then once again, y'all know I am with the outros. Gone.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:59

Gone. Wait, we're not supposed to do it at the same time? In sync?

SPEAKER_01 1:07:02

You can go ahead.

SPEAKER_02 1:07:04

I thought we go. You want to count the three?

SPEAKER_01 1:07:06

It don't matter. Go ahead. One, two, three. Gone. You didn't do it. No. You already did it in sync. I was saying. Oh, okay. All right. I'm making this the end. I'm making this the end, too.