We were lucky to catch up with LaTesa Lins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi LaTesa, thanks for joining us today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

The best Inclusive workplace I would recommend is your very own creative space. That was the decision I made. I applied to many regular 9-5 jobs and radio stations but I didn’t feel like I belonged in those areas that fit everyone else. Sometimes I felt overlooked or underpaid. Most days my creative ideas were ignored & put down & That’s how my podcast, “LaTest With LaTesa” was born. I finally felt heard & seen. The fact that Canvas Rebel reached out to me lets me know I’m headed in the right direction!

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.

My Name Is LaTesa Collins and I’m originally from Memphis,Tn. My love for radio & journalism started in college. As the 1st generation in my family to attend college I didn’t know where to go & what to do but I loved to read & tell stories. After getting accepted at MTSU in Nashville,Tn, I first majored in music, because I loved it but didn’t want to sing, I wanted to speak on urban music so I changed my major to news reporting ! Classes were very difficult for me because even though I loved sharing news I really couldn’t be my authentic self. As Reporters I had to read from teleprompters and scripts but it made me very unhappy. That’s when I discovered radio where I can report my own news in my own way ! I auditioned for my college radio station 88.3 WMTS & that’s how my journey began as a radio host.

Unfortunately, when it came time to apply for radio jobs I was rejected heavily back to back and I couldn’t understand why . I did get an opportunity to work for IHeartMedia as a promotions assistant but the pandemic happened & I was laid off . So my search for acceptance in the industry was heartbreaking. I started producing at Sirius XM country station shortly after, I learned so much about podcasting & producing but I wasn’t able to be on air due to their genre. I was looking for urban news .

Fast forward to 2021, I was introduced to Streetz 99.3 . A black owned radio station in Nashville. There I was able to find what I was good at & gained a presence on air . Finally I felt like things were starting to unfold for me !

But things took a turn when many of my creative ideas were put on the back burner yet again . After a few months learning the ropes , I decided I no longer fit their structure and decided to branch out on my own !

Over the years , I’ve networked , learned so many new skills & was ready to create my own space ! Sometimes God will have you experience people and places to get you ready for your ultimate purpose in life ! That’s exactly how I feel about my new podcast, “LaTest With LaTesa”.

My brand was created to give local urban artists and black businesses the platform to be seen & heard because I know what it feels like not to be. My podcast shares their story in an interview from & we talk about what obstacles they had to go through, to where they are now. Something I can relate to 100% with my journey.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Great Question !, Once I decided that I wanted to do a podcast, the next step was the studio & equipment. I was so happy I already had production & promotion skills from my past work experience because that helped me single out which business partner to work with .

I wanted an intimate setting, a safe space & a judgment free-zone filled with laughter and creativity.As I was searching online, I saw a few spaces to rent but none of them gave me the feeling of home .So one day I decided to take a break from searching and business deals. I love going on nature walks to clear my mind & that was my task in late April in 2021. As I was walking & enjoying the breeze in Murfreesboro, TN . I just had a thought in my head about good studios in the area .

I thought to myself, it would be fun to have a studio & my favorite trailhead in the same area. Then I would always feel at home .

Luckily a studio called, “To The Moon Creatives” popped up in my google search and the producer was just heading out of the studio for the day. I asked him if I could stop by really quickly & he said yes !

Now keep in mind I’ve done studio tours in the past so I normally go there with no expectations & just to see what the studio feels like & looks like.

Upon my arrival, the producer already had my logo on their TV screen & already had the Studio L.E.D lights to match my logo ! I was very impressed. I never informed the producer of anything I was looking for prior to our meeting . He just took it upon himself to make me feel at home & that is what persuaded me to air my podcast with him as my business partner. .

Now, people come to the studio & love how it feels like home & that’s always been my goal.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the lessons I’ve learned is to always believe in yourself !

Starting with my podcast logo, “LaTest With LaTesa” . I’ve always wanted to be an outlet for urban news as soon as something came out, I wanted to report it . Rather it was a new song, new concert, new urban event, I wanted to share that story .

But Many people didn’t like that idea. They told me, “your logo doesn’t make sense” or “I don’t like it” . “It’s not good enough” anything you can think of was said to me & for a while I believed them . I believed them because I wasn’t confident enough in myself & that was what I had to unlearn . I had to unlearn that others will not know what’s best for me, regardless of if I showed up for them. Never seek validation from anyone but yourself and God. You will go farther in life when your heart is in it and not your ego.

The reality is no one knows what’s best for you but you. God gave you the vision and not them for a reason. You’re the only one he trusts to bring the ideas to life, regardless of what other may say. After I decided to go with my gut & continue with my logo, everything changed ! I began to receive so much recognition for my creative work & I was amazed. More companies wanted to work with me , artists reached out to book my services and I found ways to monetize my podcast !

Till this day, those people who told me my podcast wasn’t a good idea are the same people who are congratulating me at this very moment. I’m so glad I didn’t give up on the vision God had for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://latesalins.wixsite.com/latestwithlatesa
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latestwithlatesa/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaTesaLins
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/_zxF0DtFCeg
• Other: If you are looking to Donate or book services for my podcast. Your help will encourage black creatives to continue to fulfill their passion, thank you in advance: Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/latesalins