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

Alright, Mayah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I’ve always had a burning desire to tell stories and express myself creatively. I went to school for journalism, and establishing a media company on my own was always on my bucket list. I knew I wanted to be a writer when I interviewed my first interviewee (my friend) in my parent’s backyard at seven.

In 2016, I started my blog—readers connected with me on a deeper level. Through personal poems, short stories, and articles, I gained a following of supportive women. I shared stories about my love for hip-hop music, natural hair, and self-love. Eventually, I opened my platform to other women of color who had a deep interest in writing. We expanded by producing our first magazine in 2021. Since collaborating with other talented writers such as Doreen Opinya, Lekisha Anderson, and Tamarea Parker Rushdan, we’ve been able to produce poetry readings, sister circles, and more. Our community wants to share their stories, heal, and learn from each other. We stepped in to provide a space for people to talk without feeling judged, scared, or hopeless. Instead, we created digital and physical spaces where people could feel free, enlightened, and happy.

I knew this would be such a great idea because many Black women have voices, and seldomly are they ever heard. Hearing how my magazine gave writers the push they needed to never give up on their dreams inspired me even more. Sometimes you have to take risks and do what’s in your heart. You can never go wrong.

Mayah, 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 went to Meredith College and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. These institutions influenced my decision to start my own business, Fruit of May. Fruit of May is a media company in Raleigh, North Carolina. We promote self-love, self-care, and inner peace for women of color. Our products include magazines. We are in the process of expanding to selling writing workshops. As a company, we help Black women transform their suffering through poetry readings, sister circles, articles, interviews, and more. Our events include ‘Fro My Soul, a poetry reading, and Write to Heal, a writing workshop.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

References and events have been the best sources of gaining new clients. Interviewees, including artists, photographers, and entrepreneurs, share their thoughts about having me reach out to other fantastic leaders, and the process continues. When you network and continue to have your face around town, people begin to know you, and they have the opportunity to connect with you on levels that are beyond imaginable.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team requires excellent communication skills. It’s also essential to plan for your success as a company and as a team. My team consists of talented writers. I always like to get their insight on what they want to achieve with the company. If it fits within our scope, I create an avenue for team members to expand personally and professionally. People want to feel appreciated. After genuinely getting to know my team, their goals become my own. We work together on projects to give our audience an experience that no other media company can duplicate for years.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fruitofmay.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/fruitofmay/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/fruitofmay/

Image Credits
Envisioned by You Photography & Moelle Photography