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

Hi Daya, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I recall gracing upon my parents’ church, Impact Church, and being immersed in the creativity that was intended to create an experience. During these times I understood to never silence an intrigued mine, therefore I asked questions until I fully understood and executed. My younger self was always learning how to make graphics and sets for upcoming themes. It wasn’t until middle school that I was given the opportunity to direct Maximum Impact, our youth ministry. Since then, the ability to create has been my outlet when my life lacked stability, love seemed too improbable, and I lacked the ability to express how I truly felt.

When it comes to the ability to create, I don’t believe the learning process can ever be accelerated. Rather, understanding the versatility of key elements like philosophy, theology, rhetoric, and cinematography at a younger age would have aided me today in my present work. These key elements are values in my production company, Elom & Co. Productions, which is a youth-led production company which aims to be a catalyst for emerging creators. The purpose of Elom & Co. is to promote creative industries for young adults and teenagers for many years to come.

Though there were challenges in developing Elom & Co., such as understanding my personal values and transforming them into a company that I would be proud to represent. Many people enter a business without first aligning their vision with their values. As a result, before my business partner, Jaylin Ellison, and I launched Elom & Co., we had to take many pauses to lay the groundwork for our company.

Daya, 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?

I am an Atlanta native who is currently a prominent senior at Westlake High School where I serve as the Student Body President and Co-President of BETA Club. I am the proud CEO and Founder of Elom & Co. Productions, an Atlanta-based teen-led production company that aims to be a catalyst for emerging creators by producing spoken-word films. Elom & Co. welcomes poets, artists, musicians, creative directors, videographers, photographers, and other young creators. Elom & Co.’s mission is to promote creative industries to young adults and teenagers for many years to come. Elom & Co.’s goal is to provide resources, so we offer the following: poetry workshops, film workshops, keynote speaker, hosting, panelist, spoken word performance, commencement speaker, and guest appearances. Elom & Co. is in the pre-production stages of our first film, April 7th, as well as a documentary series called The Heart of the Matter, based on my upcoming book based on a poetry collection that will be published soon.

I am also a Co-Lead Director of Grind Universe Entertainment, where I oversee more than 7 media teams and produce entertainment shows for Georgia high school students, allowing them to see never-before-seen shows. I am an award-winning teen journalist and editor for VOX ATL, specializing in racial injustice, politics, and articles about Black women.
I am honored to have learned from many accomplished women, including Melissa Ingram, Denise Hendricks, Nikia Stephens, Farrah Brown, Gertrude Harris, and Michelle Taylor Willis.

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

The mission that drives my creative journey: in order to transform the masses, one has to have the ability to change the masses just by one word.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to educate your team while also having them teach you. It is critical for creatives to understand that regardless of title, one will always be students.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/dayabrown
• Instagram: @thedayabrown | @theelomco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daya-brown-3a313a237
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6WCGoLB6KKffNNiKLxS4XA

Image Credits
@taevisuals