We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dawn Ellison. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dawn below.

Dawn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I wish I started doing media earlier in life but I am very proud of what I have accomplished during my career. I have met some amazing people on my journey.

Dawn, 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?

My name is Dawn Ellison aka Coach Dee from Code 31 Media/ Code31Media Magazine/ Code31 MediaTVPodcast. And much more. I got into media after my brother Marc passed away in 2009. He was my inspiration to get into going to check out the music industry in New York. He was a deejay and mc. He knew many in the industry like Roxanne Shante, Mikey D and Ed Lover to name a few. I also developed my own company 5 years ago because when you give away million dollar ideas to others and they do not appreciate you or value you, you gotta do what’s best for yourself. I provide a full service of interviews, and write-ups in my magazine, What sets me a part from others is I set the tone I don’t follow trends. I make people believe I’m themselves and help them create their own vision through teaching editing, clothing, talk shows on social media etc. I want people to know that Code31 is a branding company that doesn’t take no for an answer and we make people believe in not only our brand but their own. What I am most proud of are all the achievements I have manifested from interviews with Rakim, KRS One,Mario Van Peebles, IceT, Chuck D from Public Enemy and may more. I have done so many things that people thought I could never accomplish. I want people to know it’s not an easy task to do media. There are distractions that you have to ignore and you have to stay focused. You have to trust in God, keep good people around you. Always remain humble and never let anyone devalue your worth.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had to pivot in my personal life when I sustained permanent damage from work-related injuries that changed the outcome of what I thought my future was gonna be. All my young life my only dream was to play professional basketball in the WNBA. But once I sustained those injuries which took years to get proper care I had to pivot and forfeit those dreams and create new ones. So instead of basketball it was initially clothing then media aspirations. And though it has not been a easy road my good moments have outweighed my bad. Don’t let distractions take you off your pivot, pray on it, refocus and manifest your dreams.

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

I want to share this story of people who are so jealous and envious of my success to make them begin to bully me through hate emails. They tried to sabotage my social media by belittling me and painting me in a bad light. But in reality I am the one who helped them believe in themselves to be better than they were yesterday. I used that negativity to fuel my resilience and over achieve more than I ever thought I could. Never let anyone make you feel like you are doing something wrong by manifesting your dreams and stay in your own lane. I have covered major parades in NY and interviewed the Mayor of NY: Eric Adams and Senators:Chuck Schumer,Cordell Cleare,LetitiaJames, Jumaane Williams. This is a big accomplishment for me being self taught in the media industry. I have also interviewed heavy hitters in the industry and am featured in 4 movies despite my disabilities and personal pain which I channel through media and more.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Code31Media/ Code31 Mag
• Facebook: Code31Media
• Youtube: Code31Media Interviews
• Other: TikTok:Code31Media

Image Credits
Mr Jay Rootz and Jerry Fontillo