Episode 33: Episode 33-Content Ownership is Queen- As Long As You Own The Platform!

Summary: Ownership is so important. In a previous episode you heard me talk about compete ownership from content all the way down to the raw manufacturing. I never get tired of talking about this because just as it’s important to own your brand (trademarks, copyright, patents, etc) it is vitally important to own your platforms where you deliver your content, products and services. I am a firm believer in ownership and not many people even think about full ownership. Yes we say we want the table, the building and the block and that’s good. But we need strategic ownership plans. Yes, many of us won’t own major TV network stations. But as you can see with Jay Z and Tidal, platform ownership is possible and we have to be willing to start somewhere. It’s not about music or online content or publishing (which it kind of is to a degree). It doesn’t matter where you start as long as you start. Today I’m talking with Dr. Letitia Wright of Wright Place TV and we’re going to break down the opportunities that are out there for us, women of color, to start building platforms for the inevitable ownership plan. We’re talking about having your own streaming TV channel. That’s right. There’s a need for us to not just own the platforms but reclaim the narrative and images of us out there. When you think about it, even shows designed to give us a world platform denigrate us in some ways. Let’s look at the Real Housewives franchise. I love a good mindless entertainment. I even like Andy Cohen. But let’s get real for a moment. With the exception of the fabulous Kandi Burress, no other housewife, black, Latina or other, has had the exposure or opportunities of a Bethenny Frankel. Love or hate her, she rose to a level far above the rest of them, with the exception of Kandi Burress. Kandi is doing the damn thing. She has multiple businesses but she does not own a true platform (I don’t think). Aside from them, Housewives has squandered the opportunity to showcase successful businesswomen properly. I ask you, don’t you think it’s time to own some shit? I can go on and on about women of color who were given a platform and it turned into a shit show of fighting and cattiness. And may I add platforms that were lead by women of color but ultimately not owned by them, which gave them creative license to accentuate the drama. (Love & Hip Hop, Basketball Wives, etc). And there are Netflix and other streaming platforms who have given women of color an inch, but trust me when I say they are still on a tight leash. Hurray for small inroads. But I’m tired, done and fired up and so ready for this conversation. So ladies, do you want to own some shit? Let’s get it! But first, ask yourself 2 questions:-       Who are the people controlling our narrative and how can we take back control of it?-       And, how can I create my OWN platform so I can fully control the content, narrative, message and reach?