We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aziah “Zay” Thompson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Aziah “Zay”, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

As a business owner and Publicist, it’s essential to know the impact involved in our work. So, it’s also important to recognize moments to diversify into new areas or even different industries. Transitioning into health and wellness PR from lifestyle and entertainment PR is a massive eye-opener into the different levels of impact associated with each field of work.

Aziah “Zay”, 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?

I began my journey as a business owner, overseeing Thompson’s Topic Public Relations, which focused on clients in lifestyle and entertainment. As time went on and global circumstances, like the pandemic evolved, I recognized the need to shift the magnitude of my work’s focus. This led me to join JDRF, the leading global organization for type 1 diabetes research and advocacy, as a PR associate. In this role, I support PR efforts and celebrity engagement, sharing stories of individuals closely connected to and impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D).

More recently, the organization convened in Washington DC alongside youth delegates representing each state with celebrity advocates to champion the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program and affordable insulin. The event shined a spotlight on the delegates’ and nine celebrity advocates’ personal stories. The celebrity advocates are accomplished individuals in sports, entertainment, and media, who are living with T1D or have a loved ones who are diagnosed. Celebrity advocates who were in attendance are listed below.

Orlando Brown, Jr. – NFL Super Bowl champion, brother and late father diagnosed with T1D
Katie Bone – American Ninja Warrior Women’s champion, lives with T1D
Madison Carter – Broadcast journalist, lives with T1D
Susan Fong – Rendering and dailies supervisor of Pixar Animation Studios “Turning Red,” lives with T1D
Antoine Gibson – Saxophonist and music arranger, lives with T1D
Jimmy Jam – Producer, songwriter, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, T1D parent
Bambi Northwood-Blyth – International supermodel, lives with T1D
Derek Theler – Actor and producer, lives with T1D

We were able to chat with Orlando Brown Jr., NFL Super Bowl Champion, who mentioned “Type 1 diabetes has had a significant impact on me and my family,” said Orlando Brown, Jr., NFL Super Bowl champion. “I experienced the sudden loss of my father to ketoacidosis, and my younger brother was diagnosed with T1D at 11 years old. Like many newly diagnosed families, we faced uncertainties and overcame stigmas associated with a lack of information and understanding about the disease. However, thanks to T1D research, we found peace and hope to one day cure this disease. Children’s Congress is an opportunity to share my family’s story to help educate others about T1D and advocate for continued support.”

As a Publicist, I’m grateful for the opportunities to collaborate with so many role models and accomplished individuals on such impactful work. The work cannot be done without the dedication of the community involved and the mission we all share. It truly requires collaborative effort.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

In the realm of social media, advocating for your beliefs and demonstrating your expertise to the online community holds importance because it impacts perceptions and credibility. Its a stepping stone for people and potential clients to have privy into what there is to offer and who you are as a business owner. Additionally, keeping in mind the value of staying true to yourself, putting in genuine effort will consistently give the outcomes you aim for.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

The key to knowing where to start is remembering your why and what motivates you. Its also important to keep in mind your destination and the stages leading up to that point. Lastly and importantly, integrity, credibility, and maintaining your values in al that you do will help keep values at the forefront to remain credible, earning the trust of partners and clients. Your name and credibility is what we have as entrepreneurs and business owners. We have to protect that at all cost.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @zaycapella
• Other: For more information about T1D, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter (@JDRF), Facebook (@myjdrf), and Instagram (@jdrfhq).