We were lucky to catch up with Minoritea Report recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Minoritea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with something countless entrepreneurs have had to figure out on the fly – how have you dealt with the rise of remote work?

The three of us, Kerel, Dawon, and Jerrell, live in three different locations. One would think doing a podcast that this would be difficult. However, as we gear up to celebrate our 4th Podcasting Anniversary, we have found that doing the show remotely has become part of the character of the show. Despite the difficulties of Covid, it aided our podcasting journey. Having a show each week allowed us to stay connected. Allowed us to vent and share our ups and downs. Allowed us to feel less lonely and in turn, also allowed us to feel more connected with our communitea (the listeners and viewers of our show). Technology has gotten SO much better since we started the podcast and has made it increasingly easier to record. Obviously, any time that the wi-fi acts up or as our traveling has picked back up, those may create some difficulties but again as technology has improved, we’ve been able to record anywhere in the world! We would love to record live with one another each week, in person, but the next best thing is to utilize the remote nature of our show to the best of our advantage!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Minoritea Report is a weekly (new episodes every Monday wherever you listen to podcasts and also on Youtube) Queer, Melanated Podcast. Our aim and focus is to cover topics that span a wider spectrum than what was and is currently shown in the media landscape. Rather the topics be relationships, black lives matter, politics, sports, and/or Beyonce, we aim to share our truth from a Queer/Black perspective. We also give space to various minority guests to come and share their journey to, again, share additional viewpoints of our communities. One aspect we didn’t foresee was folks telling us how much they love seeing the love and joy between three black male identifying friends. This was a given to us but many have emailed or DM’d us over time stating that simply, it’s refreshing to get an inside peak of three friends that uplift one another. Doesn’t mean we always get along or don’t disagree but the respect level for one another never wavers.

We’re most proud of the communitea that has been built while creating this podcast. Our aim was do just that and to see if continue to come to fruition keeps us energized to keep going each week!

How did you build your audience on social media?

There really isn’t a one size fits all way to build your audience. The most effective way is to simple be you. Being authentically yourself is what really gravitates folks to ones being. So, even in times that folks may not agree with what one of us may say, the authenticity usually gives us one more chance to share something that they may agree with.

One also must be dedicated to being consistent! Social Media is HARD. Social Media is WORK! Don’t let anyone fool you. However, Social Media also has a wealth of information right at your figure tips and don’t be ashamed to utilize it to educate yourself. What you don’t know, someone else does. We’ve learned so much by watching Youtube on certain topics and simply finding accounts that inspires us.

Lastly, it’s ok to take a moment to disconnect. We preach mental health and sometime Social Media and a health mindset don’t go hand-in-hand. Check in on yourself and if you need a break, take one. If you’re on a team, have another person take more of the load for a bit and vice versa. Rest is needed to continue to grow!

Help us continue to grow and follow us @MinoriteaReport

How’d you meet your business partner?

We all met through mutual friends! Auntea Kerel and Dawon first met when they both lived in Chicago. They were on competing volleyball teams that were sponsored by the same local bar for the LGBTQIA volleyball league. Each Sunday, both teams would migrate to the bar and after a few weeks, the two teams decided to combine tables instead of sitting separately. Kerel and Dawon became fast friends, building their friendship over fire ball shots!

Kerel also met Jerrell through mutual friends in Chicago and similar to Dawon, became fast friends. So, when the idea of Minoritea Report came along, Kerel knew that both Dawon and Jerrell would be perfect to co-host with. Each person is different enough to provide various perspective but also similar enough that it wouldn’t be a chore to work together… and the rest is history! Dawon and Jerrell had never met before starting Minoritea Report but are now as close as close can be!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.minoriteareport.com
• Instagram: @MinoriteaReport
• Facebook: @MinoriteaReport
• Twitter: @MTeaReport
• Youtube: @MinoriteaReport
• Other: linktr.ee/MinoriteaReport TikTok: MinoriteaReport