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

India, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have always been a very creative person. My mother told me as a child that I could do anything I wanted and I believed her and that’s where I gained my confidence. If someone tells me ”No” I use that NO as inspiration to help me achieve my goal. As a young girl in my 20’s I was approached about modeling and instead of really pursing that path (although I did model and was selected to model in a magazine), I was never really interested in that profession. However, I was and still am very very interested in what happens behind the scenes with modeling, entertainment and fashion productions and after participating in and staring in a couple of stage productions, I was sold out and knew I had to get behind the scenes and that’s where it all began. I’ve since produced, directed, marketed and handled PR for many major productions under my company name No Junk Productions and I have been hired to Produce and Direct productions for non-profit organizations. I love Producing and Directing and because of my creative side, I am now also Executive Producer of my radio show “Food 4 Your Soul” The Radio Show with India Hines.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an ”I can get that done” person and I have a very positive attitude. Little did I know that this combination would take me down the path I am on. Since my early 20’s I’ve always felt as though the sky is the limit and I could accomplish anything (thanks to my Mom as my biggest cheerleader). I’ve been tested time and time again but through it all, I’ve kept the same attitude. Starting out as a model and then Producing and Directing my own Fashion Shows and having the honor of working with and promoting many local designers (dependent upon what State I was living in at the time) and then expanding into Entertainment Productions, I’ve had a lot going on but so blessed to be able to use my creativity to the fullest. I’ve worked with the late, Sheila Raye Charles to help bring her brothers and sisters together to celebrate their father, the late-great world renowned artist, Raye Charles, I have worked with non-profits to raise funds (Dress for Success Atlanta), The Mayor’s Masked Ball (to write bios for Esther Rolle and a couple of the other celebrities being honored), had the pleasure of introducing the phenomenal Chandra Currelley-Young, singer, actor, writer, producer, and talking with Phylicia Rashad, Kenny G, Bill Duke, Anthony David, Kenny Leon, Jasmine Guy, Pearl Cleage just to name a few on my radio show.

I initially got into radio by being hired as an Account Representative to sell radio commercial spots at a Viacom station in Memphis, TN called WRVR. I had no radio sales experience but I knew I could sell so I sold myself to the station and was hired. I also wrote and voiced radio commercials at WRVR only because my clients liked my voice and only wanted me to voice their commercial spots. They didn’t know I had no experience with writing or voicing commercial spots but the “I can get that done” attitude in me forced me to rise to the challenge and get the job done and fortunately my clients were pleased with their commercial spots. Next, I sold radio at a station in Columbus, Ohio (WCKX) for a few years and after I left WCKX and moved to Atlanta, GA, I was asked to produce a radio show for a dear friend and again, although I had no experience in Producing a radio show, I decided to Produce the show anyway and it worked out very well.. My next journey was hosting my own radio show with the encouragement of friend and radio colleague at WIGO in Ellenwood, GA and after years at WIGO, I currently host my radio show “‘Food 4 Your Soul” The Radio Show with India Hines at Love 860 WAEC AM in Atlanta, GA. heard Monday-Friday at 6 a.m. and Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. weekly. My radio show’s format is based on positive messages, expert health tips, artist spotlights, author spotlights, business spotlights, all genres of new & mainstream artist music that is positive and has no profanity is played on the show, guest interviews with me, Theatre & Entertainment News plus listeners win giveaways provided by sponsors and advertisers of the radio show on a weekly basis. Sponsorships and advertising is available through the radio show, weekly E-Newsletter E-Blasts and Business Directory online at www.NoJunkProductions.com India is also a highly sought after voice talent.

I see my radio show “Food 4 Your Soul” The Radio Show” with India Hines and my company, No Junk Productions, as a gift given to me by God to help make a difference in other people’s lives. I reach out to non-profits to lend a hand and I work with their budgets. I reach out to that independent artist who wants to get their music out there and who want to be booked by those who understand their positive music and I reach out to that person who tunes in to my radio show who needs to hear something positive that will give them the hope and inspiration they need to keep moving forward. My number 1 goal in life is to make a positive difference in this world and I think I am on the right track.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

As a creative, one of my challenges has been to not let me STOP ME from doing what I know I can do. I had to realize that even with all of the confidence I have, there would be times when I felt a strong desire to STOP pursuing my goal because my thoughts were telling me ”maybe I can’t get it done” BUT fortunately for me when this happens in my life, the fire inside of me overrides those negative thoughts. If you are a creative, that doesn’t mean you won’t be challenged because you will and through those challenges you will be tested but if you decide to stay on a path that isn’t working for you and you choose to not listen to others who have your best interest at heart, your journey will be a tough one because you don’t have all the answers on how to reach your goals but others you trust might. With that said, It’s ok to get a hand up if you really need one and when the time comes, you too may be in a position to give someone else a hand up.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that I get to meet so many Indie and Celebrity artists whose music I play on my radio show, ”Food 4 Your Soul” The Radio Show with India Hines . I also cherish the fact that I am honored to talk with people who work with non-profit organizations, authors, health experts and business owners who are passionate about changing lives. I love using my gifts of creativity to the fullest.

Special thanks to Premier Sponsor, The Cochran Firm Atlanta & Platinum Sponsor, Insurance Associates Atlanta

Contact Info:

• Website: www.NoJunkProductions.com
• Instagram: NoJunkProductions
• Facebook: India Hines
• Linkedin: India Hines
• Twitter: @indiahines
• Youtube: India Hines

Image Credits
India Hines with Glynn Turman, India Hines with Dr. J., India Hines with Mykelti Williamson (Forrest Gump), India Hines with the late, Sheila Raye Charles & few of her sisters and brothers (children of the late great Raye Charles), India Hines, MC at an outdoor Beyond the Bell Event, India Hines standing in front of Art Piece Titled “Childish Gambino” by Artist Darryl Alexander Hines,