We were lucky to catch up with Tonia Grady recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tonia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.
Honestly I’ve failed more times than I care to divulge. Each failure that I experienced was by my own hand. I repeatedly chose to trust the wrong people. The reason I’ve had to repeat this lesson time and time again was because I was misunderstanding the lesson. It took awhile to see my mistakes and remedy them but once I did — I was on the right track. The power of discernment is just as important as knowing how to run and grow your business.
Tonia, 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?
Gradygirl is a “Visionary | Master Storyteller | Entertainment Media Maven | Creative Force of Nature”
All of these titles aptly describes the fearless, passionate, unapologetic no nonsense sista–Tonia ‘Gradygirl’ Grady who’s straight outta Brooklyn, New York. Tonia Grady’s story is built on sheer grit and determination! She doesn’t have a degree in broadcast journalism, nor did she attend a prestigious film school– yet and still she’s a top grade hot-shot television producer! Tonia is also an amazing director with an incredible eye. Watch out she’s also a writer and a shooter. But the sum of all her parts equates to simply this….Tonia ‘Gradygirl’ Grady is the personification of Black Girl Magic! Highly decorated and celebrated television producer with awards in television, film, and media. Tonia’s highest honor is being recognized by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for her work as a CNN Producer during the catastrophic events of 9/11. “It was on September 11, 2001 that my producing skills were tested beyond measure. When it was all said and done– I was still standing. Every now and again you will be challenged to prove what you’re made of…my DNA was tested and as it turns out– I’m 100% the real deal!” – Gradygirl
Tonia Grady is the CEO/Executive Producer of her own production company, affectionately titled Gradygirl Productions. Gradygirl Productions is a soup-to-nuts production company specializing in television, film, and media. Gradygirl’s client roster includes: SUNY Downstate University, BET, CNN Headline News, Black Enterprise Magazine, Bolton-Curley Media, PowerNetworking Conference, Fathers Incorporated, ABC Radio to name a few. Tonia is also the Executive Producer/Host of her own talk show titled, ‘The Red Room Tonight’ which is produced by Gradygirl Productions. Red Room Tonight is a variety entertainment talk show with real star power. Gradygirl has interviewed stars and VIP’s like Steve Harvey, Bernie Mac, Lee Daniels, Mo’Nique, Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, Anika Noni Rose, George C. Fraser, Roland Martin, and Lilly Wachowski to name a few. Oh and let’s not forget this juicy tidbit, Gradygirl is also credited for snagging Tyler Perry’s first television interview!
This talented black female creative has several new shows dropping in 2023. Tonia Grady is EP and show-runner for two new docuseries: ‘Beyond Da Rock’ this series take an intimate look at the ballers behind the basketball and ‘PROLIFIC’ will showcase the most prolific black individuals America has to offer. A podcast titled, ‘StoryTellers Only’ highlighting Gradygirl’s most infamous entertainment industry stories and guests who have titillating stories to tell, and ‘Gradygirl Sessions’ which is a full on rant session about celebrities, gossip of the day, politics and the latest headlines.
Gradygirl, is a seasoned television producer with over 20 years of experience under her belt. Tonia started her producing career at Fox Sports Net South, Dreamworks, and CNN-Financial News. But it was when Tonia moved over to CNN, [lauded as the highest ranking newsroom in the land] that she really honed her producing chops. Tonia worked in the capacity of field producer, associate line producer, segment producer, story producer, back-row producer, open producer and writer. Working on some of CNN’s landmark show’s like, Wolf Blitzer Reports, CNN Live Today, Inside Politics. Grady was able to breakthrough by carving out a niche’ for herself by enterprising entertainment stories and getting them to air on CNN. Please note: CNN did not air entertainment stories, only hard news stories at that time. But a master storyteller sees a story when no one else does. Chases it down. And writes a story worthy of national and international press coverage. Not just any story but news stories that helped shape black culture like; Tom Joyner’s party with a purpose cruise that raised money for HBCUs: Russell Simmons’ Groundbreaking ‘Def Poetry’; Coke Cola and Neo Soul collaboration; And Lee Daniels’ film Monster’s Ball that ushered Halle Berry in as the first African American lead actress to win an Academy Award. None of these stories would have seen the light of day had it not been for Tonia Grady. She’s hopeful that one day she will receive recognition for being a huge cultural influencer in terms of black press and media as a whole.
In 2009, Tonia Grady made her directorial debut with the underground sensational documentary film ‘Man Up: The Exploration of a Fatherless Nation’. Man-Up received awards from various film festivals, achieving critical acclaim for this first of its kind, raw, and nerve-piercing documentary about fatherlessness. The film even garnered the attention from President Barack Obama and his Fatherhood Initiative. But before working in television and film, Tonia was making a name for herself in the media and music industry. She started out managing, marketing, and promoting recording artists. But it was her 1991 internship that led to a pivotal position as the executive assistant and bookkeeper to the VP of the infamous Terrie Williams Agency. In this coveted position, Tonia had a birds-eye view into the intricacies of managing the profiles of high powered celebrities directly from PR mogul Terrie Williams. Having media maven and author Terrie M. Williams pour into Tonia’s life has been the bedrock of her media knowledge and expertise.
It’s no secret that Tonia Grady is extremely passionate about uplifting fatherless children and helping them break through the myriad of challenges facing them. Ms. Grady’s work with fatherless children and responsible fatherhood organizations has made her a beacon of light in this arena. Ms. Grady’s documentary film ‘Man-Up’ and her book ‘Fatherless Like Me: Growing Up Without Dad’, co-written with her daughter Skylar, continues to keep her focused on what’s really important. Tonia speaks about fatherlessness and responsible fatherhood practices at universities, probate courts, public schools, national responsible fatherhood conferences, youth detention centers, and various social programs. Tonia remains an active advocate, using social media, television, film, and her most valuable asset…her voice! And as usual Gradygirl will continue to create content which can be found on her YouTube channel: GradygirlTV. All of this while building the Gradygirl brand and methodically building her entertainment empire.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In 2020 we were knee deep into the pandemic. Our world as we once known it was turned upside down. God spoke to me and said for me ‘to get up and finish what I started for Thomas Diggs.” Thomas Diggs was an regular man who did an extraordinary thing by loving and protecting thousands of kids in his drug infested Brooklyn neighborhood. I was one of the kids he saved, now I’m the producer and the director who’s bringing his story to life on the big screen.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The main thing driving my creative journey is being able to tell a plethora of untold black and brown stories from a black women’s perspective.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gradygirl.com
- Instagram: @iamgradygirl_bklyn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonia.grady.7/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonia-gradygirl-grady-3676195/
- Twitter: @iamgradygirl_bklyn
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaavkTfdym97S0P84vnPuYA
Image Credits
GradygirlMedia