We were lucky to catch up with Alexis “Fly” Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Alexis “Fly” thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
“Taking a Risk” was the theme for all of 2021 and as I entered 2022.
First, let me provide some background. I am a single mother, who supports a young, growing son and other family members full-time. I don’t say that for sympathy, but like many other families, we rely on one income. Also, like many other families, we’ve survived a pandemic, while currently living in a time of inflation and now a possible recession. For many years, protecting that income was always up against doing what “I was called to do” or “desired to do.” Taking risks in such times as these…didn’t seem like the wisest thing to do. However, it’s exactly what I’ve done!
In early 2021, I left a TV job that I enjoyed. I worked a morning talk show for a local news station. When I was first hired in 2012, the company took a chance on me when I lacked the technical skills, and I was grateful. I remained for 8 years. The experience honed my TV producing skills and opened the door to meet many people from around the world and connect with my local community. Yet, I desired to do more and to expand my skill set. Fear temporarily gripped me from taking a chance to try something new. Though I desired a change, I had bills to pay and a family to oversee. Sound familiar?
After much prayer, and wondering what was next…an unexpected door opened for me to take the plunge to find love on TV (in front of the entire world). This meant, I would be coming from behind the camera to the front to share a private part of my life. I contemplated back and forth, and decided to go for it. However, that meant I had to leave my job, due to the company stating “a conflict of interest.” I took a leap of faith not knowing where I would land. That was the first risk I made in the beginning of that year.
Once the reality show wrapped and I was the last bachelorette to exit the show without a beau…I would take a series of risks. I accepted and left a total of 4 jobs in the media industry due to various reasons. The main reason? Realizing it was not the best fit for me or that the job description didn’t match what I was sold. Therefore, with all faith and no hesitation, I made a conscious decision to take charge of my peace, happiness, self-worth and value.
I started off in 2021 making a decision that I knew would change my life, but I didn’t know the extent of how my life would be elevated.
The risks paid off. It’s 2022 and I work for a Fortune 30 company in a management role producing videos that bring me fulfillment, while also making the salary I deserve. I love my job and the freedom I have to explore and create. By night, I am an event host, social butterfly, media influencer and known for my own sense of style. All of it combined grants me the option to merge all the things I’m called to do creatively, without settling!
In a nutshell, taking risks to enhance my self-worth and value, opened my eyes to my creative ability. It has allowed me to impact the community on a larger scale through meaningful storytelling. Betting on me…has also won me 3 Telly Awards in the last year in TV land.
Taking a risk has forced me to truly walk in what I’ve always believed in…”Faith over Fear.” Sometimes, I fell short, but I got right back up!
My message to those reading: Once you get over the fear of the future, you can truly fly into your purpose!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I am an award-winning TV producer turned TV personality and event host. I formerly served as a producer for KHOU Ch.11’s Great Day Houston (CBS affiliate) with veteran TV host Deborah Duncan for 8 years. I stepped from behind the camera to the front as a cast member for Will Packer’s hit show “Ready To Love” Season 4, which premiered in April 2021 on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Graduating Magna Cum Laude, I received my Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University with a concentration in Public Relations. Shout out to all the HBCUs!! My wide experience in media and entertainment ranges from TV, music and the arts.
In 2020, following the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, I executive produced and directed my first short film titled “Dear BLK Son,” a poetic film that shares a mother’s powerful letter to her African-American son in the Nation’s current climate. The film was created as a message to my own young son, as I began to ponder on the conversations I would have to share with him now and in the future on race relations. The film premiered on TEGNA’s CBS-TV local affiliate during the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington. I would then be tapped to co-produce another short film “Hear Our Voices” for Comcast. The short-film won a Silver Telly Award, the highest achievement at that time. I’m grateful that my career has offered me the chance to merge my love for news producing and social action.
As an influencer, I’ve had the privilege to participate as an emcee, panelist and moderator, hosting various events for major brands and organizations to include Walmart, Microsoft, 100 Black Men and the Afro-American Police Officers League. I continue to step in through service as a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and various non-profit organizations around Houston.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part of what I do is being a black creative that gets to tell and share stories about my own community. DE&I is a big part of my “why,” as well as for the company I work for. My short poetic film, Dear BLK Son, explores an open letter from a black single mother to her young son on racial injustice in America. Being a creative, opens doors to service, activism, instruction, hope and inspiration.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
I would say your authenticity is key when it comes down to fostering brand loyalty and keeping clients or even your fanbase engaged. Seperate from being a producer, I am a media influencer and TV personality. I currently have over 20k followers on IG alone. I believe video content is KING. Allowing your people to have an inside view, while inspiring them to do their own thing, keeps the well from running dry. People will stay connected to you, if you stay connected to them!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thealexisfly.com | www.dearblkson.org
- Instagram: @thealexis_fly
Image Credits
Motivisualz and ETC Studios