2020 Optimal Living Magazine Christian Women in Business Issue

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DESHUNA ELISA SPENCER CEO OF kweliTV kweliTV celebrates black stories through curated indie films, documentaries, web shows, kids programming and live experiences from the US and across the globe. Kweli means truth in Swahili. Our mission is to curate content that is a true reflection of the global black experience. Our content educates + entertains, dispels myths, connects communities and sparks activism. kweliTV creates a pipeline that pays filmmakers of color who have challenges getting distribution despite having a successful film festival run so they can produce more impactful content with 60 percent of our revenue being allocated to them. 10 Subscribe to Optimal Living Magazine: www.optimal-livingmagazine.com
OLM: What or who inspired you to start your business? DS: The inspiration for launching kweliTV was created out of desperation. I remember flipping through dozens of channels and shows not seeing anything I wanted to watch or could relate to—the black women were fighting on reality TV, the “black networks” were playing the same tired reruns, some laced with stereotypes. I like history and if you turn on the HISTORY Channel on a month other than February you would think that black people played no role in history, which is not true. After doing my documentary and screening at a film festival, I learn firsthand the challenges that black filmmakers face when trying to get distribution. When I didn’t see the type of platform I was looking for—one day it just hit me, start my own. OLM: Is there something that keeps you grounded and focused to press forward in making your business a success? At the end of the day, how do you define success? DS: Success means that we have a profitable media business model that correctly tells the stories of the African diaspora while creating steady income off of impactful stories. I don’t believe we have to compromise our mission or the type of content that we stream for the sake of profit. If we change the way little black girls and boys see themselves in the media, we have succeeded. If we begin a dialogue on economic inequality that results in political action, we have succeeded. If we are able to create content that causes families to save more, eat healthier and live their best lives, we have succeeded. OLM: How long have you been in business? DS: I’ve been working on the idea for almost 5 years. OLM: How do you give back to your community or the people that you serve? Why is it so important for you to give back to the people you serve? DS: It’s human nature to wish you were in a better position in life or had more resources. When I give, it reminds me of the people who don’t even have what I may at times take for granted. Since starting kweliTV, I haven’t had the resources to give like I used to given my income and it used to really get me down. But it’s not about how much you give. It’s the fact that I’m able to do something, even if it’s small. I believe that we’re all put on this earth to serve our community with the gifts God gave us. It may not be as routine as giving to the homeless. It could be listening to a coworker in need or without being asked, watching a friend’s baby to give a busy mom a few hours to sleep or pamper herself. It could be calling that elderly family member who lives alone. Those small acts go a long way and I’m redefining in my mind what it means to serve. OLM: What scripture best describes you, your life? DS: Romans 8:31 - What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? This work is hard.. I feel like I’m barely making it sometimes. People leave you, they don’t return your call, they chastise you—it’s mentally and psychologically Subscribe to Optimal Living Magazine: www.optimal-livingmagazine.com 11
Page 1: Special 2020 Christian Women in Bus
Page 5 and 6: THE PUBLISHER’S PERSPECTIVE FIRST
Page 7 and 8: Optimal Living Christian Women In B
Page 9: definition of it is forever a work
Page 13 and 14: TOSHAUNA GIDDINGS Author, How I Dis
Page 15 and 16: OLM: What or who inspired you to st
Page 17 and 18: Mrs.Lynda Poole Prioleau Owner of M
Page 19 and 20: When I first encountered my husband
Page 21 and 22: watching you for cues if they are u
Page 23 and 24: OPTIMAL LIVING CONFESSION OF FAITH
Page 25 and 26: RIVER CITY FLAME SPICY SHRIMP DIP M
Page 27: Subscribe to Optimal Living Magazin

2020 Optimal Living Magazine Christian Women in Business Issue

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