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

Ebony, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk I have taken by far was moving from my hometown of Chicago to Atlanta to pursue and further my career in the media and entertainment industry—which ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Born and raised in Chicago, the city I love and was most familiar with, it was scary to think about leaving my comfort zone. The year was 2019—I had just graduated from Illinois Media School and had been working media jobs here and there. Then, I landed an opportunity to cover one of the biggest events to hit Chicago: ComplexCon, a festival that celebrates the latest trends in music, art, and fashion. There, I got to interview one of the hottest female talents to hit the scene at the time—rapper Saweetie.

Honestly, though, I felt like I wasn’t being taken seriously, and no one in my opinion; was really granting me the opportunities to grow and flourish in that space. I knew that if I wanted to make a name for myself, my time in Chicago had to come to an end. Then, COVID happened—media was changing, I was laid off from my job, and everything shut down. That’s when I knew: it was now or never.

I saved up enough money from unemployment—yes, those checks they were giving everyone, lol—I saved all of it and bounced to Atlanta, aka Black Hollywood, in the summer of 2020. No apartment, no job—just faith and a dream! From that moment forward, my tenacity and determination shined because I knew I had to make this work. Failure was not an option.

Since then, I’ve been blessed with an abundance of opportunities that have allowed me to showcase my talents and reminded me why I love the career path I chose. Not only have I met different people, but I’ve also built genuine connections with those who see my worth, value my experience, and open incredible doors for me. My journey has also led me to explore different lanes, such as becoming a panel moderator and content creator—something I never thought I’d pursue.

To say the least, I’ve been on this journey for years, and I never realized that all it took was stepping outside of my comfort zone. My four years in Atlanta have taught me so much. Trust me—the process wasn’t easy, but each year got better, and I am so humbled and proud of myself for trusting and believing in the risk I took.

Ebony, 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?

Well, first and foremost, I’m a Chicago girl to the core—the city raised me! Secondly, I’m a media professional and content creator who decided to chase her dreams at 30.

The accolades I’m most proud of include interviewing some of my favorite artists, like Queen Naija, Jacquees, Coco Jones, and more. I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to attend celebrity events and become a brand ambassador for one of the biggest music festivals in Atlanta, One Music Fest. Also the amazing chance to connect and collaborate with other creatives, and work alongside people who inspire me. It’s truly humbling to be invited into spaces I once dreamed about, where I can continue growing, learning, and building meaningful relationships within the industry.

Although I’m far from what some might consider having “made it,” I’m just happy to create a space where women can see what’s possible when they bet on themselves. This journey is just getting started, and I’m here to inspire, uplift, and make it happen—on my terms.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes, there is! My current goal is to create my own platform—a show or podcast. I know, another one, right? But with this platform, I want to focus on sharing powerful stories of success, resilience, and inspiration, all while building a female-led team to go on this journey with me.

My long-term goal is to build a media company where I recruit and source creatives, allowing them to be booked based on their talent. I also want to collaborate with other creators to secure partnerships, bring visions to life, and help them pursue whatever their hearts desire. Ultimately, I want to be both the resource and the connection in the entertainment industry that I didn’t have—so younger women don’t have to work twice as hard to get ahead.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are probably two aspects that feel the most rewarding. First, having people reach out to me for advice—whether it’s about how I got to where I am today or what it took to get here. Second, the connections I’ve made and the relationships I’ve built with people who vouch for me when opportunities arise.

I’m always so humbled by both because I jokingly think, Oh my God, you want to hear from me? You want to work with me? It’s an amazing feeling to know that the content I create is making an impact. It reassures me that the work I put out is worth it and affirms the talent I truly have.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebonykiara?igsh=N2Z5djl0cGcxcXJ1&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-vanpelt-21182077
• Other: TikTok
  https://www.tiktok.com/@ebonykiara?_t=ZP-8thr2iet43C&_r=1

Image Credits

Adrian Johnson
Yemane Haile