Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Patricia Bolden. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Patricia , thanks for joining us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?
I can only speak from experience — in my line of work in the film and entertainment industry having an internship is an important aspect of your career..
During my Senior semester at Alabama State University, I interned with the Sports Program and interviewed the coaches, players after each game. I created a 30 sec reel with a voiceover detailing each game. Within that same year my cousin, a graduate from Auburn University started Clark Ent, a Media and Film Production company. I gained a keen interest in the entertainment and hip hop space of Journalism. Clark Ent would call me to come to Atlanta and conduct interviews for artists on set while filming music videos. These opportunities led me to network and soon attend red carpet events, elite industry mixers, and celebrity birthday parties. I’d travel every weekend as needed to work. I wasn’t quite on salary but my gas, hotel, and food was covered during each trip and for a college student that was a bonus.
The internship opened my eyes and allowed me to take the necessary steps I needed to pursue my God giving talent career in journalism. If I hadn’t taken the position, I wouldn’t have been as equipped in my first year in the industry. I learned everything from working the camera, editing with Adobe Premiere Pro, creating decks and adding titles to video content. In the beginning I had to push myself because of all the stress I endured. My team had faith in me and I learned how much I was capable of. I also realized that all the work I was doing was a reflection of the company, so I took great pride in every assignment.
Throughout my internships I met various people and started building a strong relationship. Learning from other seasoned professionals gave me insight to work towards my goals. Being in those rooms, also instilled an arduous work ethic. Looking back, interning helped me discover my purpose as a journalist that I was passionate about. It gave me the confidence to secure a job after graduating college, and it was the best decision I ever made in planning for my future.
Patricia , 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 name is Trish B, and I’m a journalist originally from a small town in Alabama. I would consider myself a southern belle, with a true passion for people! I am an Entertainment Journalist, published writer, upcoming author, red carpet host, CEO of Pretty Beats by Trish™ Luxury Cosmetics, and founder of “She Wears a Crown “— a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring young ladies in local communities. During my undergraduate years at Alabama State University, I took courses for journalism and created a radio station with peers my senior year. I later began interning at the local news stations and soon received my degree in Communications Radio and Broadcast Television. After graduating I moved to Georgia to further my career. I interned with various outlets to build my experience in the media and entertainment industry. I currently work for FAVR Lifestyle Magazine in Atlanta as a writer and on-air talent. I’ve built strong relationships in the industry and worked with top networks such as ESPN, Revolt, Def Jam Records, and Bravo TV. As a tenacious journalist, I have covered red carpets and major events such as the BET Awards, Oscars Awards, ESPN/NFL Celebration Bowl, Stellar Awards, Black Music Honors, HAPA Awards and the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. I am most proud of my growth as a journalist and the many encounters within the industry.
While building a space in media, I branched out and started my cosmetics business in 2018 named Pretty Beats by Trish™ Luxury Cosmetics. The line was inspired from my work history in luxury sales at Tom Ford, Estee Lauder, Saks 5th Avenue and the desire to contribute to the beauty industry. Pretty Beats by Trish™ represents what every woman should be, Ravishing, Elegant, and Pretty! The line is expected to relaunch in the Spring of 2023. During that time period I went back into corporate and became a black woman working in tech. I was anxious as it was a new industry, but proud to be a part of the 7.4% of black professionals in the tech workforce, according to a 2021 report from (AnitaB.org). The work I do is similar to journalism’s communication with having excellent organizational and collaboration skills which are essential to daily life. As technology constantly evolves, your learning never ends and I enjoy how my mind is always being challenged constantly which is very rewarding in the end.
Throughout my life I’ve been able to set myself apart by being optimistic. I would sometimes worry about everything that wasn’t going right, instead of being open minded that no matter what it looks like, everything will work out at the end knowing there is a purpose in every experience. Moving away from your hometown to a new city can be tricky. Once I left Alabama to live in a new city, old parts of me had to die. I was forced to adapt in my new environment to survive. Moving to Georgia with only $50, allowed me to adjust to this new life by still being my authentic self. I didn’t soak myself in settling down with the norm or people that went against my morals or values, I never settled. When one thing didn’t work out, I stayed optimistic and went to the next door that was open, even if it meant for me to create my own lane, and I did. At times where nothing made sense and I wanted to give up. I thought about how far I’ve come and the experiences that made me the woman I am today. Though I am not perfect and still make mistakes, despite my flaws, I know God has his hands on me. Even at my lowest, he gave me strength and rescued me so that I may be the vessel he has intended me to be. My work and mindset is to overcome any obstacle, and with this approach I could never be characterized or boxed in. I was born to be different and set apart as a beautiful, loving, genuine, funny, talented, straightforward, and confident self.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Great question! I’ve been waiting to talk about this for a while now, but never had the right platform. So, consider this an exclusive from Trish B.
In 2018, I worked for Saks 5th Avenue. The most popular luxury store that you often hear in lyrics of music artists. I had a great job with a decent income, earning enough to be an official resident of Georgia. I’d work full time at Saks, hosting red carpets, and starting my cosmetics business.
One night while I was in my prayer closet praying, like I always did each night with my candles lit. Oddly on this night the candle exploded causing me to black out for a few seconds due to shock. It scared me because that never happened before. Didn’t think about it, I cleaned up the mess and went to bed. On the morning of September 18th, 2018 I woke up with a weary feeling. I wanted to call out of work, but I brushed it off and proceeded to work. As I began to drive to work, maybe 60 seconds down the road when I felt this large impact rear end my Altima. My car instantly went into the opposite lane losing control heading into ongoing traffic. BANG! hit after hit, by the time the third car hit me I saw a white light and I blacked out. My car was thrown over the median with me still inside. The only thing I remembered when I woke up was hearing people scream, “Is she dead”, “Her car went in the air”, I heard screams and sirens. My radio was still playing gospel music, It was the only calming effect that kept me subdued in my distress as I was slowly opening my eyes. Once paramedics came, I was in disbelief that I was still alive. I was unconscious for a while and couldn’t believe what happened. The vehicle that hit me
kept going, making the case a hit and run that nearly cost my life.
A few days later after I was released from the hospital, I went home. It was hard for me to sleep because of the trauma. Weeks later I went back to work as normal, I was booked for a red carpet and that’s when I noticed something wasn’t right. While on the carpet, the talent walked up towards me for an interview. I couldn’t remember his name and had him repeat his name at least seven times before I was pulled from the carpet. My editor gave me some time off, but it didn’t stop there. I found myself not able to have intellectual conversations with others, not remembering words, and unable to do simple math or calculations. That wasn’t like me so I followed up with a neurologist to get tested. After a few days I received my results and was told that during the time I was unconscious there was no oxygen flowing to my brain causing me to lose a percentage of my short and long term memory. I asked when I’d be “normal” again. His diagnosis was 1 year and 9 months with a small percentage of total loss.
My resilience in this moment changed my life both personally and professionally. I told myself that I was a failure as a journalist. I didn’t want to work another event due to the embarrassment of being taken off the carpet. I didn’t feel smart enough to be around anyone who didn’t understand my pain in this situation. For a year and a half, I didn’t drive—it wasn’t because I didn’t have the money to buy a new one, I was scared that once I got behind the wheel, it would happen again, and I might not be so lucky next time. I was criticized by people who I thought were my friends, because I didn’t have a car and often needed a ride, so I stopped going places except to work. I made close friends with co- workers who didn’t mind taking me home when I worked at Saks. The accident changed my mindset and put me in a vulnerable place. I didn’t ask or no longer depended on anyone, that resulted in me spending nearly $3,000 on Uber and Lyft in a short span. I went into a deep depression, my mental state affected my job, career, and relationships.
Despite the unexpected events, I didn’t allow my life to succumb to misery. So, I started reading again to build my memory and vocabulary skills. I began practicing how to speak more fluently with friends and in the mirror, and asked my family to ride with me as I built the courage to drive again. The process was grueling but my tenacity played a major role. At times it’s natural to want to control things in our lives but there are circumstances you can’t control. Developing resilience can be challenging when conforming to unexpected change or adversity. If I didn’t persevere in these times I wouldn’t be able to appreciate who I am now. 5 years later I’m a business owner of a luxury cosmetics line, published writer, red carpet host, and a tech industry professional.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Think of others before yourself ..
This is a lesson I had to learn the hard way. growing up in the south, the elders set morals for their children and their children’s children. We were raised to go to church and attend bible study weekly. It was instilled to be obedient to our parents, all adults and to strictly follow the bible as our daily bread. My mother raised me to put others first, and always do unto others as Christ. In times of conflict we were taught to ” kill people with kindness” and always love thy neighbors. Though these sentiments of knowledge were great to live by, the missing key was that they failed to teach us how important it was to love and put ourselves first.
As I got older I adopted this mindset in all my relationships, friendships, etc. and to be honest it was far from beneficial. In a sense it resulted in people pleasing and showed a lack of how I felt about myself and low self-esteem. I never looked at that way because that’s what I was taught. It wasn’t until later in life, I realized that my genuineness wasn’t being reciprocated and the love I put out was not pouring back into me. Once I realized how hurtful that could be, I quickly adjusted and unlearned everything I was taught. I explored who I was wholeheartedly and the concept of self-care/self-love. It was refreshing to clear my space and free my mind from the responsibility of other people’s actions and what I could not control. I began to set clear boundaries in my life and remove anyone who didn’t follow or understood these boundaries in all areas, including professional relationships. Unlearning to only think of others while neglecting myself was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made as an adult. It also allowed me to grow as a free spirited woman who is grounded in purpose without the need of anyone’s validation or approval. I’M BECOMING HER…
Contact Info:
- Instagram: _trishhoney
- Other: Written Contributions / Red Carpet Host Reel: https://www.mediagirlsontour.com/post/the-shar-bates-queen-activist https://www.mediagirlsontour.com/post/legendary-r-b-artist-jon-b https://www.mediagirlsontour.com/post/gospel-artist-keyondra-lockett https://www.mediagirlsontour.com/post/financial-tips-to-utilize-during-covid-19 https://www.mediagirlsontour.com/post/the-black-woman-is-queen https://woemagazine.com/dr-heavenly-and-alaura-kimes-motherhood-entrepreneurship-and-bonding/ https://woemagazine.com/rasheeda-frost-how-she-does-it-all-fashion-boss-and-motherhood/
Image Credits
Jeffrey Harris T. Echo