We were lucky to catch up with Nakia Key recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nakia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Venturing off into the unknown world of the entertainment industry can have it’s many challenges. However, going from working in Corporate America to also expanding and starting an entrepreneurial position is all about taking risks. One of my most recent risks I took on was getting a sit down interview with Fox 8 News in the Morning anchor Wayne Dawson. Like most known celebrities in the spotlight, they too have their fair share of being busy and sometimes their schedule may not mesh with mine. But when it is something you are passionate about, finding the time becomes easy. I remember reaching out to Wayne Dawson myself and I did not get anywhere that way. I then, was able to get connected to Wayne Dawson’s publicist, Deante Young who is now a comraderie of mine, but at that time he did not know who I was. And, in this business it is all about how you present yourself and once presented showing that you’ve done your homework on the subject at hand. I was turned down the first time with a short reply of “no”, but I never settle and the outcome of staying persistent led me to overcome life’s obstacles, leaving me with a feeling of resilience. If I never took the opportunity to try, I would have never gained the responsibilty of never giving up when it is something I really want. And, interviewing Wayne Dawson was something I envisioned for myself starting out because his story and wisdom is so enlightening and it was a pleasure to share his story on Nakia’s Key to the Stars.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For those who may not know me yet, my name is Nakia Walker, known as Nakia Key and I am a TV personality, and Multi-Media Journalist, Writer. Editor, and now Executive Producer to a popular online blog show called Nakia’s Key to the Stars. Born and raised in Cleveland, I have more than 7+ plus years of experience in the media/entertainment industry. I have worked at a local PR firm in Cleveland before know as PR Newswire for 6 years and moving on to work with Brenda Love on Fox 8’s Real Estate Showcase TV, working previously on and off camera as their co-producer and vlogger.
After gaining valuable experience, I enjoy currently working as an Executive Producer and host to Nakia’s Key to the Stars to bring all things in entertainment and local news. With the help of my wonderful significant other, Brian Wherry who also helps me with the editing, and camera operation, Brian and I started our own production company- Stream Dreams Productions, and it is a joy to do what I am passionate about. I interview top celebrities in music, movies, sports and entertainment. Also, always actively seeking out local entrepreneurs and moguls in the industry as well as local venues from city to city to keep our audience up to speed on current events.
I am also an alumnus of John Carroll University and also continued education and graduated at the top of my class at Ohio Media School. Since the show began in 2017, I am grateful for features in Voyage Ohio Magazine as a trending topic and received a special spotlight in Beon Air Network Magazine. In addition, I have worked with Beachwood Entertainment Collective of Los Angeles and Live Nation on some of their top shows. Nakia’s Key to the Stars top interviews include the likes of Queen Naija, Marsha Ambrosius, Eric Nolan of the O’Jays w/Dre Walton, Wayne Dawson and the Holiday Gospel Concert featuring Saxophonist Andre Cavor, Yolanda Adams and Dr. Eric Chambers to name a few. All can be found on nakiaskeytothestars.com website and my Youtube channel.
Today, I am most proud of following my dreams and not letting a closed door stop me from pursuing my dreams. I look forward to interviewing more up and coming artists locally and nationally, entrepreneurs and using my platform to help others build and share their life-stories.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Recently, my business partner, Brian and I had the opportunity to attend a very powerful conversation with Tyler Perry as moderator with Kerry Washington. To be in the room with such leaders who are full of wisdom and vitality allowed me to make some very much needed changes in my own life. Kerry Washington was on tour for her new memoir: Thicker than Water, in which I also wrote about in my most recent article on Nakia’s Key to the Stars and my experience being in the room in Atlanta, Georgia. I left with a higher sense of dignity especially as a black woman with a voice in the industry. Washington discusses her truths and what it is like in more detail in her new book of finding her place in the industry. I understand that our voice matters as women and that we can feel just as confident as a man going up for the same job or career opportunity. Washington mentioned that it is important in this field to “find your people” above all else and that was a great takeaway from their discussion. Finding your people to me represents sometimes facing some cold hard truths that in order to stay afloat, everyone can’t go with you. And that’s okay. But what matters is finding those who genuinely love you, support you and will go through the fire with you and come out of it with you unscathed. I am someone who is very loving and sometimes I find myself at odds with saying “no”. So, I have learned and embraced these new growing pains of standing in your power and having the right support to maneuver through adversity is what matters.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes! My late grandmother Ruth Walker pushed me to keep God 1st and stay true to myself. After she passed in 2019, it catapulted my tenacity for success to a new level. My mom always taught me to keep going, and my grandmother’s death made me become even more persistent to go after my dreams. I learned to stay open to possibilities and and to be intentonal in my prayer life. And With the help of my wonderful significant other, My Fiance and business partner who pushed me to stay the course during those difficult times; it allowed me to know that this career is something I really wanted in life. We both want the same end goal which is to not only make ourselves proud, and each other; but most importantly to be a guiding and helpful light to our families one day. My mom has done alot to help me through college and beyond my years, often putting my needs before herself and I want to continue to work hard to give back. The goal of Stream Dreams Productions is to embrace the manifestation of your dreams and use our platform to help them unfold.
Contact Info:
- Website: nakiaskeytothestars.com
- Instagram: @nakia_key
- Facebook: @Nakia Walker
- Youtube: @nakiakey4316
Image Credits
images left to right 1. Fox 8 News in the Morning Anchor Wayne Dawson on left, Nakia Key, Brian Wherry 2. Brian Wherry, Cavs Legend Campy Russell, Nakia Key 3. Former Basketball Player Chris Webber, Nakia Key 4. NFL Hall of Famer Lem Barney, Nakia Key 5. Nakia Key and R&B singer Ray J 6. Neo-soul Grammy Nominated Singer Marsha Ambrosius and Nakia Key 7. Cleveland R&B singer Dre Walton, Nakia Key, Erin Nolan of the O’Jays 8. Nakia Key, R&B vocalist Queen Naija 9. Nakia Key arriving in Atlanta, Georgia for a sit-down intimate discussion for review with Tyler Perry and Kerry Washington on her new memoir: Thicker than Water