Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Barbara Bullard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Barbara, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Considering the thought of looking back in time and wishing to have started my business sooner or later is not a consideration for me because whether I’m focused on the present or past does not change my purpose. The choices I make may morph, but the foundation remains the same. I am a storyteller. Whether it’s through marketing, public relations, or film and video production, the core of my existence is to support the stories of the marginalized. It has been my quest from childhood, sitting in front of the television alone contemplating how the story I’m viewing can be made better or to be clear, feel more authentic. It was a personal mindset that I did not share but carried with me from the private moments with my mom at the kitchen table telling me stories of her childhood as an intuitive to gravitating to spaces of art and culture as an adult.

B-Bullard LLC launched eight years ago, realizing consulting individuals and organizations is a business. Understanding that women, especially women of color, are not supported with the tools to be sustainable, I decided to embrace the fearlessness needed to start a business. The goal has always been to set a pathway for myself and women-owned businesses to come. Not returning to the corporate advertising industry after childbirth was an intention, where I held many spaces as the only woman of color. For me, there was no looking back once looking into the eyes of my daughter. It’s a legacy hopefully that will inspire and motivate not only my daughter(s), yes, I have two, but others.

In my opinion, having your voice heard is in the now. Later is not an option. I started my business at a time of fighting for my voice to be heard personally and professionally. What I saw in myself, I noticed in other women also knowing what I had to offer was unique, addressing ways to spotlight inequities and resolutions for healing in the world.

Barbara, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Barbara Bullard, the Managing Member of B-Bullard LLC, is an entrepreneur, publicist, writer, and producer serving as a social innovator and catalyst for cultural transformation. Barbara is the specialist who bridges gaps, whether it is at the United Nations or in an international marketing campaign. She has fulfilled her needs as an entrepreneur, business advisor, overall marketing professional, and writer. Her path first began in media in the commercial and film industry in various capacities serving as the music production coordinator for Lintas: Worldwide, marketing specialist for Home Box Office (HBO), and various production companies. Deciding to start a family, she pivoted her career to the nonprofit sector while remaining committed to the art, culture, and entertainment industry. Barbara managed marketing research strategies for Lincoln Center Productions, served as a consultant for the legacy of Tennis Great Arthur Ashe, and expanded outreach for the United States Tennis Association.

Barbara’s commitment to inspiring, and merging social justice with art and culture, is praised by participants in her programming and marketing for United Nations NGOs. These endeavors led to the production of projects to uplift the legacy of Shirley Chisholm. Barbara produced the national unveiling of the Shirley Chisholm Forever Stamp in collaboration with the United States Postal Service (USPS), for which she received a Presidential Proclamation by President Barak Obama. She produced content and events on women and politics in partnership with governmental institutions such as the Office of the City of New York.

The uniqueness of Barbara and the B-Bullard team is that they illuminate the past, present, and future by creating signature and pioneering campaigns that engage consumers and generate buzz. Barbara’s experience led to launching the rebranding of nonprofit institutions, including a world-class performing arts campus and state-of-the-art reconstruction of a historical theatre located in the highest concentration of African Americans in the United States. Her skills and the incredible team have thrived in the public art and tourism space curating in partnership with New York governmental agencies.

As a publicist, Barbara has supported leading actors and directors in new project development with a fresh approach to engagement. Her consulting skills in team development on social justice and inclusivity motivated an entire staff of an international fashion company and cultural institution. She is no stranger to The Hill having produced critically conscious stories offering a platform for marginalized voices in collaboration with the Congressional Media Caucus.
As the author of the book RE LEASE + BE COME, with quotes from renowned global luminaries, Barbara seeks to help to restore the integrity of the human spirit through art, words, and resources for healing emotional wounds. As a guest speaker at The Library of Congress, on the program with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and the Smithsonian, Barbara spoke on her role as an entrepreneur and President of the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute. B-Bullard LLC is MWBE, New York City, New York State, and 8(a) certified.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the middle of COVID-19, located in the highest concentration of the virus, my firm and I created content to inspire. We rallied with other creatives and created a network to continually strengthen our skills and share resources and stories on a local, national and global basis. It was inspiring to be contacted by other entrepreneurs introducing themselves and wanting to share in the process.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Reevaluating live performances took some unlearning. COVID-19 fell hard on the creative world. As we all know, production stopped at a drastic halt. Revisiting interaction and homing in on the production value of collaborations virtually was challenging, at first but it opened a vast pathway to storytelling in so many interesting ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.b-bullard.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/producestories/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/producestories
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarabullard/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/producestories
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj3rGnSRT4hbp-x1ojXS__Q

Image Credits
Image in Blue Jacket – Dana Gibbs Mason Image Yoga Pose in Subway – James Malone Image Filming on Stairs – Dex R. Jones Image Holding Book – Dex R. Jones Image Profile Red Shirt/Head Covering – Dex R. Jones