We were lucky to catch up with Kate Bryan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kate, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project that I’ve ever worked on is 1 Girl Revolution. I’ve worked on a lot of interesting projects and with so many interesting people and organizations through the years, but the most meaningful thing I’ve ever been a part of is the multimedia platform that I’m building – 1 Girl Revolution. I started 1 Girl Revolution almost 4 years ago as a social media platform and podcast – as a way to highlight the stories of inspiring world-changing women and girls through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and a podcast. I started finding stories that inspired me, oftentimes that had never been covered by the media, or never in this authentic way – and started working to reveal these incredible and inspiring stories to the world. The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast has grown to over 150 episodes, we have a vibrant social media community, and we have now grown to include a YouTube channel and two short documentaries featuring the stories of inspiring women who are changing the world through their lives. Oh and our documentary “The Girl Inside” was nominated for an Emmy Award! Incredible. We continue to grow and evolve and I can’t wait to see where we go from here. But, to answer your question, the most meaningful project I’ve ever been a part of is 1 Girl Revolution because we created the platform for women’s authentic voices and stories are being heard. Our world needs more spaces for women to be seen and heard, and we are honored to be creating that space.

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?

I would be happy to. I’m Kate and I live and work in the oldest neighborhood in Detroit – Corktown. This city has always been an inspiration to me, but in recent years – it’s really fueled my life and work (1 Girl Revolution) more than ever. I’ve worked in public relations and media for over 13 years, which is what led to me starting 1 Girl Revolution. There were so many instances throughout my career where I witnessed stories and people being silenced, ignored, and marginalized – and I wanted to create a space where women’s voices and their stories could be highlighted in an authentic way. Living and working in DC for many years, I saw how politicized and divisive media is, especially when it comes to women and girls – so I wanted to create a platform that focuses on authenticity and commonality. What if you could bring women and girls together, build community and support, and elevate our voices and our stories together. As the saying goes, “women are stronger together” and I’ve come to experience that through 1 Girl Revolution. 1 Girl Revolution started as a social media platform, that grew into The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast (which now has over 150 episodes!), and now we have a vibrant YouTube channel and two short documentaries (including Emmy-nominated “The Girl Inside”). 1 Girl Revolution has highlighted women and girls of all ages, who are doing incredible things to change the world – everything from 5-year-old Lily who makes coloring books for children in hospitals; to stay-at-home mom Jenny who puts her kids to bed at night and then goes out to serve those experiencing homelessness; to Kathryn who is retired and has dedicated her life to helping new moms learn how to take care of themselves and their babies to combat maternal and infant mortality rates in the U.S. I am so proud of all of the stories that we have told thus far and I am so excited to see where 1 Girl Revolution goes from here.

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

For women and girls to be heard – for their stories and their voices to be heard. I think back to my own childhood… I was a vibrant, opinionated, boisterous little girl, but became an insular, shy, terrified little kid who didn’t want to draw attention to herself the second I hit first grade. I remember being silenced in class by bullies and shouted down by other kids on the playground – so I completely stopped talking. I wanted to be invisible. Thankfully my parents (specifically my mom) took an active role in helping me break free of the bullies and the shackles that they placed on me, so I became that vibrant little kid again – but I know what it feels like to have no voice. I know what it feels like to be silenced and invisible. And so many women and girls have experienced that in their life too. Our mission is to elevate women and girls, help tell their authentic stories of life, love and changing the world, and to reveal “the girl inside” of each and every woman and girl. We each have a unique purpose in this world and we each have the power to change the world through our life – and we want to reveal that and encourage that in every single woman and girl.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve pivoted many times in my life and career – as they say, “you don’t have to die to have many lives.” When I pivoted out of Washington, DC and moved back to Detroit, it was mainly to be with family – but I was also burnt out and frustrated with PR/media. But it was that burn out and frustration that fueled my fire to start 1 Girl Revolution. And I would also say that “taking a chance” and moving back to Michigan without a job lined up, was a major pivot and a big chance I was taking – but I am a big believer on betting on yourself and your dreams. Sometimes we need to pull ourselves out of a comfortable position (for me it was a cushy PR job and a comfortable life in DC) in order to be completely free to become the person you were created to be. Had I not left DC and moved back to Detroit, I don’t think I ever would have started 1 Girl Revolution, nor become an Emmy-nominated producer, nor accomplished everything that I have over the past few years. Don’t let fear drive your life and don’t be afraid to make a major change in your life or career. Maybe that change will be the thing that leads you to incredible things and leads you to becoming the person you were created to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.1girlrevolution.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/1girlrevo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/1girlrevo
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/company/1girlrevo/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/1girlrevo
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/1girlrevolution
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-girl-revolution/id1459681878