It’s been said that Mobile, Alabama breeds talent and excellence, and Amberly Harris continues to prove that point. A graduate of the University of South Alabama with a degree in Biomedical Sciences, Amberly had her sights set on the medical field, but she made a pivot to another love of hers: media and entertainment. She has 19 years in the game and has skills in radio hosting, video editing, event planning, graphic design, and marketing, just to name a few.
She is also the COO and creative director of Nspire U!, an events and marketing firm, which she co-owns with her mom. As well as helping to market and build businesses from the ground up, Nspire U! also has an online magazine platform that highlights community activists, and small businesses, as well as a radio station (Nspire U on Air- The New Beat of the Bay Radio Station).
We had the chance to chat with Amberly about how she manages her media empire, her pivot from healthcare to the media industry, working with family, and what we can look forward to from this media powerhouse in the future.
You’ve got a lot going on! How do you balance everything while still making sure you take time for self-care?
Me doing “Alot” is an understatement LOL! But honestly, prayer, patience and my dynamic support system. From family, to friends, to my impeccable staff, even down to the followers, they all keep your girl grounded! Without them, it would not be as tight and right as God has Blessed things to be! As for self care, I will absolutely get me a massage, mani, pedi and time for self whenever it is needed. I do include “me” on my calendar of events. Self care is a must!
How did you transition from the medical world (in college) to the world of entertainment?
Honestly, after graduating with a Biomedical Degree focusing on Pre-Med, no one had the opening for me to gain an internship or if they did “experience” was required and as a graduate, obviously I didn’t have the experience they requested. So, with my feet already wet in the media field, a full time position for a Sales Assistant (totally not my lane and not what I was looking to do but sometimes we must do what we need to do so that we can get to where we are trying to go) but that position came available and the rest is history! I was able to learn all things radio from all aspects will in that position.
Have you faced any sexism in the industry? If so, how did you overcome it?
OH! ABSOLUTELY! As if I had a choice of being male or female. I was constantly overlooked, disrespected, left out, degraded…it was BAD! What was even more disheartening is when I would defend a situation or stand up for myself had anything to say, I was considered “emotional” or “difficult.” Whether it be the way I was spoke to, the way rules were different towards me than they were for others. If I would request higher pay for me or my Promotions Techs (at this point I had been promoted to a Promotions Director of 5 stations and still was treated as if I was someone who worked 10 hours a week although I would sometimes be at work 18 hours a day!) I was told I was “reaching” by asking for pay for something we were hired to do- even though it surpassed what we were hired to do. I had an intern that that Assistant Business Manager disrespected in an email by insulting the intern and when I went to that persons manager to discuss a write up, I was told by that manager ” Oh you women are so emotional and reactionary. Not sure why you have an issue with something that is true” WOW!
While I have plenty of other stories to share, let’s just say, I have 17 years worth of sexism that has been thrown at me. You ask how I overcame it? I found my worth and realized that I can create my own platform that would respect all people involved in a way to uplift while giving “N-tertainment”, “N-formation” and “Nspiration.” If I can do great things for a corporate company, I can indeed do it for myself! I chose to rise above the issues! My staff is respected. Treated fairly and although I program the music on their shows, they have input and features that they want. I have a family with NspireU On Air. So, the battles I fought to get here were all worth it.
Sometimes it can be hard to mix business and family. How has it been being in business with your mother?
The beauty in the relationship with me and my Ma Dukes, Candace Houston, who is the CEO of Nspire U, is she respects my lane and I respect hers. With she and I being the only two decision makers, it also eliminates confusion. She and I have retreats and pow wow sessions to make everything happen. Does she remind me constantly that she is mama and is in charge no matter whose name is on the paperwork as being in charge, ABSOLUTELY! LOL! But I respect that wholeheartedly. She is a mother first. Do we have to agree to disagree at times, yes we do- but the key is we respect each other in the end. She is indeed the best Business Partner, “Nspirer” and Mother anyone could ask for. She is truly a Queen!
How has COVID affected your business? Are there any upcoming projects we can look forward to?
COVID has helped our Business more than one could understand. Initially we were a Media company hitting all the events at Grand Openings and Red Carpets. Facilitating interviews and recaps out in the public. Then the pandemic shut everything down. We had no where to attend and it actually halted our operation. However, with my Mom being the regal woman she is, she began her free Nspire U Online Magazine (You can see all issues on www.nspireu.org in Desktop or Mobile view). The magazine is filled with triumph, “N-couragement”, health tips, wealth tips, entertainment and “N-spiration.” Then one day she asked me , “Okay Babydoll, you ready to start your radio station?”
And in the midst of a pandemic, the radio station was built. It is an Internet based radio station and is accessed through an app so that we can be global! The station derived from many zoom and phone calls between Me, Mom and our phenomenal engineer. He took the time to make sure everything was in place from licensing to building the actual station to dispatch to the server, even down to the way the equipment is wired. He is truly “The GOAT.” So while we saw it as a halt to one thing. The pandemic opened our minds to many other things which have now developed in to dreams coming true!
I truly appreciate this opportunity and I Thank everyone at FEMI Magazine for this feature. #BeBlessed
Candace Green is a Birmingham, Alabama transplant by way of Washington DC. She enjoys reading, writing, cooking and eating amazing food, and Marvel movies. She is an author and blogger. You can follow her on IG: c_dog93.
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