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

DeMira, appreciate you joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

At the forefront of my endeavours, both personally and professionally it has also been my mission to create opportunties and access for upcoming creatives in various spaces. Divine Media Group proudly gives a platform to underserved creatives and rising new voices.

Divine Media Group has partnered with the City of Compton through the office of Mayor Emma Sharif to host the inagural Compton Fest 2024, taking place Saturday August 24, 2024 at Compton College from 12pm-6pm. As a proud Compton native it has always been my mission to de-stigmatize the preception of the city through my personal efforts and achievments.

Compton Fest is a celebration of the vibrant culture, untapped potential, and resilient people. Despite the negative perceptions, there’s a community here brimming with creativity, ambition, and a desire for positive change. Unfortunately, many of these voices have been overlooked and opportunities have been scarce. Compton Fest 2024 is the first of many tentpole events Divine Media Group looks to produce in effort to bring more opportunities to Compton, CA and similar community across the world!

At Divine Media Group, we use the power of media to bring people together, spark conversations, and drive meaningful change to help us in our mission of amplifying under-represented voices and providing a platform for people to share there unique stories.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who don’t know I’m an accomplished producer and media executive who has worked on both the studio and network sides of the entertainment and tech industries for companies such as BET Networks, BuzzFeed, Headspace, and Google. Over the last decade I’ve climbed the ranks from intern to one of entertainment’s top executives, notably being included in Forbes’ “For The Culture: Executives On The Rise” 2023 cohort.

My contributions span across several award-winning television & digital series such as BET’s Sunday’s Best, YouTube’s acclaimed Black Voices Collection, boasting the Emmy award-winning “Tab Time”, and the “Recipe For Change: Amplifying Black Women & Celebrating Black Men” installments.

In addition to my formal work, I am also the founder of Divine Media Group. Which has been in operation since 2013 which houses Compton Fest, LLC. Our mission with Compton Fest is rooted in creating cultural capital through community service and civic engagement in under-served communities.

I am known for being at the forefront of the next wave of media and technology as my work is rooted in creating sustainable foundations and atmospheres that challenge the status quo of traditional media.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The art of the pivot has been the thing that has lead me to my most fufilling accomplishments. At this point I have been cha-cha sliding my way to the top.

In 2023 I was a part of the historic Google lay-offs. The morning I was laid off I remember waking up thinking “man I really love my job”. I was getting ready for a shoot day with Big Freedia in New Orleans, and in a matter of seconds I went from having my dream job to no job. I was shook!

Once you work for a company like Google the question of “What happens next” becomes a daunting task to figure out. After countless interviews, verbal offers that turned into no offers, I found myself at a crossroads.

I decided to double down on a concept I’ve been reading about found in the book of Jeremiah 29:11 “For I Know The Plans I Have For You, Declares The Lord”. I made a deal with God which consisted of me not worrying about what’s next and trusting that God has a plan to prosper me, not to harm me and to give me a hope and a future.

My end of the bargin is to stay consistant and diligent in using the gifts he’s placed in me. I’m not gone hold you, it’s been a very unhinged pivot but it has been the best pivot. I have been able to freely create and execute some of my wildest dreams. I am excited about the amazing things that are in store. Compton Fest 2024 is a direct product of this pivot!

How’d you meet your business partner?

Often times we try to network up, but its important to network across and find people who are Growing where your Going. I also prayed that God would send me the right people to not just be business partners or associates but these people have become my friends.

Each of my business partners are people I met at various stages of my career. I want to take a moment to thank the Compton Fest co-chairs. I’ve met each of them by simpling being in the right place, at the right time and being nice.

Ravyn Neal, Esq who is my attorney and long time friend. We both interned together at BET and have been climbing the ranks in our respective careers.

Carol Hood is an amazing colleague turned friend. I met Carol through our mutual friend Justin “Mr. Fascinate” Schaifer. During my time as an executive at Google. I retained the Carol H. Williams Agency to produce the YouTube Black Voices Juneteenth Celebration, in which Carol was the creative director and knocked it out of the park!

Kelly Marble is an amazing leader in the tech and creative space. Funny enough, we met when I was wrapping up my work at Google. She has been an incredible colleague who has championed all of my projects and always shows up saying, “How can I help?” I truly appreciate her.

James Drake is someone I’ve known for a number of years; we were colleagues at BET. He has the ability to be a vibrant light in a dark room. “Who’s going to pay for this, and where is the money coming from?” are hallmarks of our conversations. He is an amazing production executive and creative whom I am happy to call a friend and colleague.

Alvin Allure is a jack of all trades and has mastered them all. Alvin is colleague who mirrors my ambition and the friend I know not to look at during a serious moment if I don’t want bust of laughing. We met as colleagues at Google and have been locked in on turning the world upside down.

David Colbert is the quiet assassin; he doesn’t say much, but when he speaks his words move mountains, it’s always actions before words. I met David when I featured his art gallery, Gallery 90220, in my series “A New Green Book.” He’s been a champion and a connector.

Thank you all for your support and dedication to helping me shine a light on my community. You all are truly the best!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://divinemediagroupentertainment.com
• Instagram: @itsme_ddp
• Linkedin: DeMira Pierre
• Other: comptonfest24.splashthat.com
  IG: @comptonfest

Image Credits

Whitney Gamble