We were lucky to catch up with Jimmie Thomas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jimmie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I love music and movies. i wanted to be an educator but found out in college I had a disability in math which disqualified me from that profession. I took ended up taking broadcast journalism because my colloquium professor said with one TV show you reach a million people. I was sold because I just wanted to spread light on people that look like me and grew up in similar communities. I served as a behavioral specialist and learned that my scholars didn’t have an opportunity to express themselves. so I would teach them how to take photos or shoot videos to express themselves. While touring my first documentary to college’s, it gave me the opportunity to take artists along with us. Media Rhythm Institute was formed on tour as Mr. Murray and I was on our way back from Syracuse University and Flint, Michigan. After touring 8 colleges together we formed a mutual respect and decided to join forces because he was already teaching kids how to create music.

Jimmie, 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?

My undergrad degree was in Broadcast Journalism at Florida A&M University. It helped develop me into the professional I am today. We had to learn convergence, which is basically learning about all media forms. At FAMU we had to damn near master it all. No slackers and only greatness were rewarded. Upon graduation, I took a media sales course facilitated by Personal Selling principals and sponsored by the National Association of Black Broadcasters (NAB). The course was to develop journalists into sales teams. This is how I ended up in Baltimore. Selling advertising space gave me the opportunity to learn how to hear no and turn it into a yes. It truly strengthened my solution-seeking skills. Being in Corporate America was lucrative but it suck my soul dry. I’ve always known that I’m an artist and an educator. Now my teaching style may be a little unorthodox but I feel like our scholars and staff react to it. Sometimes vernacular can be a hurdle for people especially when they don’t see themselves in this field. I’m able to meet my scholars, staff, and clients where they are for the win on whatever project we’re working on.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Let’s start here… Don’t be afraid to try something new. During 2019-2020 school year we were scaling at a great rate. Then COVID. Being we were providers and couldn’t teach in schools we had to find a way to keep our relationships and facilitate without being in person. We partnered with The Hue Collevetive out of LA/FLA to facilitate virtually. The Hue collective teaches post-production and one of the founders taught virtually 7 years before covid. It was a huge advantage for us to not have to figure everything out on our own. Teaching virtually gave us the opportunity to reach scholars in 7 states. Just now every problem has a solution if calm enough to figure out the answer.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My authenticity is what makes me stand out in any market I’m in. You have to understand my family dynamic raised me to be an entrepreneur or go to the military to get money to be an entrepreneur. A lot of people try to be something other people want them to be in business, friendships, relationships etc. I was raised to be myself and if they don’t like then I just saved us both some time. My mentors are no different. Two slogans I learned from my mentor Jeffrey Myers (PSP)- If you’re early you’re on time if you’re on time you’re late and you’re late you’re forgotten. The second is always under-promise and over-deliver.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mriprograms.org
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmie-thomas-4a3a8717/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mediarhythminstitute7387
• Other: Our Facebook and Instagram is disabled right now.

Image Credits
Jimmie Thomas Jr