We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Queon Martin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Queon below.
Queon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Growing up in America as a descendant of slaves is a unique experience that other ethnic groups will never experience… And helping those who are descendants of slaves learn the history of their ancestor’s struggles and the challenges they face, drives me every day to empower them with the reflection of accomplishments and achievements they overcame.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Queon Martin, known by many as “Q” and I am the founder and CEO of CARTER™ Magazine and DNA America. I’m also the Chief DEI Officer for YouDecide.
CARTER™ Magazine is a social business that uses media as an educational tool. It’s where history and hip-hop meet.
DNA America is a social business that covers politics and news for people of color.
YouDecide believes in the power of progress. So, we never stop looking for ways to enhance what we offer. We constantly challenge ourselves to find better processes, solutions, and a better experience for everyone we work with. Because the end result isn’t just a better benefit. The real benefit is better people.
Over the last 12 years, I have been able to connect the culture of hip-hop with African American history in a way that has never been seen in the approach of social media… I’ve been able to make history COOL!
My influence has sparked other social media influencers to take pride in covering African American history in mainstream media.
The impact that I’ve made has captured the eye of other startups to request my knowledge and know-how in assisting them with building their base of users and consumers for their businesses.
What surprise folks to most about me is that I left high school at the 10th grade and self educated myself.
I got my start by being cast in Monica Arnold’s first video “Don’t Take It Personal” and understudied under Martin Scorsese and Joel Schumacher. I was the lead strategist for Moviepass gaining over a million subscribers, and have made African American History apart of mainstream media.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
After deciding to leave high school at age 16 and self-educated myself, I never lost sight of believing in my ability to achieve whatever I set my mind to doing.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the history that was told to me about the foundation of America and learn the truth about the horrific history the natives endured from the Europeans and the horrific history of the enslaved Africans during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade who built this country we live in today.
Contact Info:
- Website: carter-mag.com and dnaamerica.app
- Instagram: @cartermagazine @dnaamerica
Image Credits
image: Queon Martin, photo credit: Ricardo Lyons