We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brionna Taylor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brionna , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Journalism and storytelling have always been a part of who I am and my story. It’s in my DNA. Even as a little kid, I would watch all the talk shows and seemed to be drawn to them. At an early age, my parents raised me to be well-versed and cultured by taking my sister and me to the theater, fine dining, art events, and speaking engagements. These experiences coupled with my multifaceted eye and inquisitive nature contributed to my ability to see and understand people on a deeper level.

I always knew I was meant to be a journalist. As a young child, adults, and people of all ages would open up to me about their lives and in some cases deep-rooted issues. I could see it was a very therapeutic and healing experience for them. I knew then that it was a part of my calling and what I was destined to do. So, naturally along the way, through the people I met and my experiences, storytelling became a part of who I am, the conversations, and the deep questioning I would ask others about in their lives. It was two-sided. It’s as though my entire life has been a talk show with me listening and interviewing special people along the way. From there, my life experiences as a storyteller and my family foundation bridged with a great educational base.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Convergence Journalism from SMU (Southern Methodist University) and a Master’s Degree in Specialized Journalism with an emphasis in Documentary Filmmaking from USC also known as the University of Southern California. My educational base mixed with real-world experiences has definitely shaped who I am and my career. I have no limits. A lot of times, society wants us to think the journey has to be hard in order to accomplish our ultimate goals. It’s a conditioning that can easily be broken. We are powerful beyond measure. The sky is not the limit, it is truly just the view. I’m here to unite all people together regardless of their background and provide opportunities for people not just in the United States, but around the world.

I am very pleased with the journey I have been led to take with journalism and there is not much I would change. I have had some of the best educational and real-world experiences. I have been afforded amazing opportunities such as working for the Dallas Cowboys and Nickelodeon, starting my own talk show E-Koh, and my multimedia freelance career. However, if there is anything that I would have done differently, I wish I could have taken a couple of online master classes like Tyler Mitchell’s online course on Storytelling Through Portrait and Kris Jenner’s, Power of Personal Branding. Perhaps that will come at a later date. Personal branding and individuality are not only the key to impactful storytelling but are also important for breaking through thresholds in order to make your own special mark overall.

In journalism, you want to be well-versed in your skills. What has aided me along the way is having an eye for the unseen and untold. Multimedia journalism is broad in scope. It includes everything from writing, broadcast (tv hosting, radio/audio), photography, website creation, news/reporting, and filmmaking. I’m naturally able to adapt in life and that has acted as one of my greatest allies in order to find and scope out a diverse plethora of stories. I’d tell anyone interested in learning the craft of journalism that you have to be very discerning when it comes to believing the media and news. If you want to lead the people, purposely go the opposite direction and introduce them to something new and impactful. You want the people to move with you.

You have to be able to read where society is at, where it’s been, and then create/cover content that will help you lead society forward in the direction you’d like. Then, that leads you to also becoming your own boss. When you follow your own path, it lends itself to a world of untapped possibilities and approaches. By doing so, this allows you to avoid possible traps and pitfalls along the way. This philosophy holds true to my life; I haven’t had many obstacles in my career except for ageism. Since I am young and I have covered several exclusive stories, it can be intimidating for others who are older than me or are used to following a certain system set in place that they had to go through. Many people have been shocked by the stories and exclusives I have been able to cover.

Brionna , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

At an early age, I knew I was meant to be a journalist. I just seemed to be drawn to it. Once I saw the impact and influence that journalism and storytelling had on people and society, I began to realize that I could use journalism as a platform to make a difference. If there was a good talk show or interview on, I would gladly watch it over a children’s program or cartoon. For years, I would often wake up and fall asleep to interviews and documentaries, and that still holds true to this day. I recall watching every talk show from reruns of Planet Groove on BET, The Tyra Banks Show, and The Bonnie Hunt Show as well George Lopez’s late-night show. I also admire Stephen A. Smith’s impact on sports content and Patrick Bet-David’s influence in the YouTube and podcast realms. My entire life, I’ve seen that good content speaks for itself and will house its own power and anointing so I am naturally drawn to a plethora of unique platforms and shows.

I’m not just a journalist, but I’m a storyteller. Journalism is one of my chosen mediums. I specialize in multimedia storytelling which includes print, videography, photography, and broadcast. I’m known for covering multidimensional stories and exclusive stories with a twist. I typically don’t like to cover stories that have been covered before. It’s a passion of mine to cover human interest stories and individuals who are impacting culture. I first became known for doing print media where I was afforded amazing opportunities to have my stories on a wide range of publications from D Magazine, OZY, AfroPunk, and Okayplayer to Black Fitness Today, Lavar Ball’s The JBA League, World Boxing News and more. As a host and journalist, I have been blessed to interview outstanding legends and groundbreakers such as Disney animation legend Floyd Norman, Bruce W. Smith the creator of the Proud Family, Floyd Mayweather’s bodyguards, Grammy award-winning artists, and comedy powerhouse, Guy Torry.

However, I saw that the media often falls into a specific cycle where more coverage is given to the negativity occurring around us and continues to showcase the same celebrity stories with little variety. It’s a lot of toxic conditioning that happens within the media consciously and unconsciously. As a result, so many voices in society are left unheard. It’s important to remember that you don’t always need a big name to have a significant story. It’s not fair for so many demographics of people to be underrepresented in the media. I created my show ‘E-Koh (pronounced echo) to help bridge the gap between celebrities, rising talents, and locals.

I always say no story is ever too big nor too small to be heard. For me, E-Koh is all about flipping a switch on culture and aims to bring back the art of true storytelling and journalism. There are a lot of talented artists and individuals who don’t get the media attention they deserve so it is my goal to help shake up the industry and media world. I have had a variety of individuals on the show from legendary comedians, multiple Grammy Award-Winning producers, to bestselling authors, and global artists such as Justin “Guitarslayer” Lyons the first Black K-Pop Sensation, and more.

I am most proud of the platforms I have been featured in and have written for. I am also grateful for the stories and people I have covered as well as the diversity of coverage. I’m not just in one lane. I am also pleased that I have been uncompromising with my career and who I am as an individual. When you compromise you leave room for failure. Additionally, I’m very thankful for my connection with people overall and that I’ve been blessed to be able to hear and showcase so many amazing stories.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My platform is here to help bring healing, inspire others, and take a deep inside look into these amazing individuals’ stories and art forms from a totally different perspective. A lot of the media and shows are beginning to fall into a specific blueprint that makes people feel disconnected and uninterested. We need that special feeling again and excitement. I want to make ‘E-Koh a footprint in the land so that significant life-changing stories can be heard whether it’s a big-name celebrity or the up-and-coming talent so that people’s lives can be impacted and change can occur.

It is my desire to redefine this aspect of the media sector and create a global movement. With E-Koh, it is my overall goal to inspire others and to help reach the forgotten demographics. I truly want to use the show as a platform to not only change lives but to also save lives. I’m here to take the skill of good true journalism and package it into a modern way with a new vibe.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I am always actively seeking ways to enhance not only my mind but my overall being. I love to watch videos, listen to podcasts, and read content that aids in my overall enhancement and advancement, especially in my career. The Secret is a book that has significantly impacted my life. It focuses on the power of thought and manifestation. Relentless is another book that has truly transformed my world. It’s written by Tim Grover who was Kobe Bryant’s trainer. The book really took me to an entirely different level mentally. Mental fortitude and mental toughness are everything. Both books help us all to remember that we are powerful and when divinely led anything is possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brionna-taylor.com
• Instagram: @brionnat_
• Twitter: @BrionnaT_

Image Credits
– All photos provided by Brionna Taylor. – Cover photo taken by K. Lynn