We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Barfield Graham recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
During the peak of the pandemic, my husband and I decided to create a promotional video to highlight all the wonderful contributions the people of Mebane, NC were making within the community. The community came together to help each other by making and distributing free masks or by sharing food with those in need. The people of Mebane showed true camaraderie during a difficult time.
We approached some of the small businesses in town and the town councilman, Sean Ewing, to participate in our project. After releasing this video onto social media, it gained attention from WRAL, which extended an opportunity for us to broadcast it. As a newly established small business, we did not have designated funding for broadcasting media. After several weeks of seeking financial backing for the broadcast followed by a GoFundMe kickstarter, we raised the minimal funds required for a short-term broadcast of our commercial.
#MebaneStrong aired on WRAL for about three months. It was a great measure of pride for our small business, as it was our debut community project and our first step in engaging with the locals to produce something with a positive message for the Triangle region in North Carolina.
Jessica, 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 began in this industry when I was a freshman at Elizabeth City State University ( ECSU). I originally was under the music curriculum until I met, the late Greg Sampson. He heard my voice and immediately saw dollar signs. My “voice” is what makes me stand out in the world. To some it’s considered very high-pitched to others it’s very animated. All in all, it’s very unique.
As soon as he heard me talk, he asked me to do a recording session with him. He coached me on what to say and how to develop a script. In less than an hour, I recorded my very first PSA for WRVS 89.9 FM; I was immediately hooked. Before I knew it, I was hosting my own radio show in between classes and band practice under the moniker “Baby J.”
The following year, I met Melba Brown-Smith, a professor of Television Production, who had observed my work ethic in radio since my freshman year. It wasn’t until she gave me my first task of working in the control room for W18BB-DTV for the annual Successfest, that I received the secret of making it in this business as a black woman: “To make it in this business, the more you know, the better!” After she told me that, I learned as much as I could and worked twice as hard. By the top of my senior year, I landed a summer internship at Black Entertainment Television ( B.E.T.).
Working at BET was a dream come true! I had the chance to meet several celebrities and improve my skills.
Before leaving my internship, my teammates and I created this promotional video called “Ballpark Rap Challenge.” At the time, it was a huge success for the seven of us because it was our first national commercial. So for a bunch of twenty-year-olds, we were on cloud nine! Even though the experience of creating the commercial did not go as planned, we learned how to come up with alternative strategies to complete a project.
Over the years, I have taken on different projects that offer different challenges for media. It wasn’t until I was laid off from my job at WSHA 88.9 FM that I realized it was time for a different approach. My husband and I never thought we would be business owners, but it is one of the best yet challenging decisions we made together.
In 2019, we co-founded Life By Design Media and Production, LLC. Since then, we have completed numerous commercials, including “Mebane Strong” in 2020. We have also launched two podcasts: “What’s The Law? With John Eluwa” and “Be The Change,” which is our passion project. Additionally, we provided post-production services for Ashley Cobb and Crystal the Oracle’s podcast titled “Heaux and Tell,” as well as countless photography sessions and graphic designs for a vast array of clients.
IMy husband and I are most proud to take a chance, despite how challenging it may be. We’re declaring that we will be fully independent in the near future.
How’d you meet your business partner?
The co-founder and business partner of Life By Design Media and Production, LLC, is my husband, Derek Graham. Derek and I met back in 2013 during Vikingfest at Elizabeth City State University, which is considered ‘Winter Homecoming’ in the HBCU community. I was talking to one of our professors as he came out of class. We both had this professor but at different times. Derek overheard my voice and was staring at me, so I happened to look up, smiled, and said, “Hello.” He asked if my voice really sounded like that. I laughed and replied, “Yes!” Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out his business card, and told me we should work together sometime.
I giggled, took his card, and placed it into my purse. Fast forward three months later—I actually lost his business card and forgot his name. I know, bad move! Fortunately, I saw his profile picture in my friend recommendations, so I added him and sent a message through DM. Well, it turned out I hadn’t added Derek but his best friend, Byron. At the time, they were advertising their showcase titled “Schizophrenia.” Byron informed me that I was actually looking for Derek and shared his contact information.
A couple of days later, I received a message from Derek, and we hit it off ever since. Who knew I would connect with my husband through a business card and a Facebook DM? After completing grad school together and celebrating eight years of holy matrimony, I am so thankful that God saw it fit for my husband and me to be partners in both life and business. Our journey as business owners continues to progress each year, and I look forward to the day when we can say, “We did it!”
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Throughout my journey, I have encountered people who tried their hardest to distract me or make me feel inferior. For years, I was told that I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, or pretty enough for the various things I pursued.
I experienced bullying so severe that I began to believe those hurtful comments. However, I am grateful for my strong support system at home. My parents always reassured me that the things said about me were not true. As an adult, I am working diligently to unlearn those harsh words and statements.
The old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is simply not true! Words do hurt, and sometimes their impact lingers.
This is why, when I work with my team or with children, I strive to create a healthy environment. And, if I see any type of bullying, I say something. I do not want anyone to endure what I had to go through.
Contact Info:
- Website: lxdmedia.pro (coming soon) my portfolio site: jessicabarfieldgraham.my.canva/my-media-portfolio- coming soon
- Instagram: @lxdesignmediapro
- Facebook: LXDMediaPro Business Personal:/jessicabarfield85
- Linkedin: jessica-barfield-graham-65bb4342/
Image Credits
logo created by my cousin: Charles Mumford. You can find his work @khobra_art