The Artist Pivot

On this episode I am joined by former actress, whiskey educator, and now whiskey distiller apprentice, Tracie Franklin. She grew up in a military family and is now based in DC. Traveling and seeking out unique foods drives her adventurous side and this year she was awarded the “Scotch Ambassador of the Year 2020” by Whisky Magazine. We discuss how her transition from the arts into whiskey wasn't intentional but proved to be the right path; how she doesn’t ever want to use her talent for something she doesn’t believe in; and that she wants to change the face of whiskey and the perception of who should enjoy it. 

Get in Touch: 
Tracie Franklin 
Instagram:@spirited_tracie 

Ayana Major Bey
Website: www.ayanabey.com 
Instagram: @ayanambey, @theartistpivot

Also mentioned in this episode:
Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative
Instagram: @unclenearest, @jackdaniels_us

Black Bourbon Society
Instagram: @blacknourbonsociety

Transcript available at:
https://theartistpivot.buzzsprout.com/1296095/6194416-tracie-franklin-whiskey-and-tangible-change

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode I am joined by actor, producer, founder & creative director of Broadway Black, Andrew Shade. He is originally from Indiana and now resides in New York City. This year he produced the first ever ANTONYO Awards honoring black artists on Broadway. We discuss his swift move to NYC after losing his job in Indiana; how Broadway Black turned into much more than he imagined resulting in him putting himself on the back burner; and that our first therapist is our breath.

Get in touch: 

Andrew Shade 
Website: www.broadwayblack.com
Instagram: @broadwayblack, @drewshade

Ayana Major Bey
Website: www.ayanabey.com 
Instagram: @ayanambey, @theartistpivot

Transcript available at:
https://theartistpivot.buzzsprout.com/1296095/6075562-andrew-shade-full-for-me-overflow-for-you

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode I am joined by Broadway & West End actress and now recording artist Marisha Wallace. She is from North Carolina, lived in New York City for sometime, and moved to London when the opportunity presented itself. She was in the Original Broadway casts of Aladdin and Something Rotten. Appeared as Effie White in Dreamgirls on the West End and also originated the role of Becky in Waitress on the West End. She is signed to Universal Decca Records and is now set to release her new album entitled TOMORROW on Nov 27th. We discuss how her first pivot of having vocal surgery before college actually set her on the path she was supposed to be on; how redirection may come in the costume of failure but you have to trust your journey; and how once diversity becomes common place and not a trend, black artist especially black women artists will be seen for all they really are.

Get in touch: 

Marisha Wallace 

Website: www.MarishaWallace.com
Instagram: @marishawallace

Ayana Major Bey 

Website: www.ayanabey.com 
Instagram: @ayanambey, @theartistpivot

Transcript available at:
https://theartistpivot.buzzsprout.com/1296095/5965057-marisha-wallace-focusing-on-my-dream

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode I am joined by filmmaker, actress, and producer Tamala Baldwin. She is the creator of the series Bubbly Brown Sugar, that is now streaming on UrbanFlix TV, and wants her writing to give black people hope because we also deserve our happily ever after. We discuss how she left corporate America to pursue musical theatre, how this grind we artists find ourselves on, is actually about building for ourselves, and that creating her own work has boosted her confidence and made a real partnership between her and the divine.

Get in touch: 

Tamala Baldwin

Ayana Major Bey 

Also mentioned in this episode: 

Darkness Rising Project: a mental health nonprofit created by the Broadway community for Black mental health. Where the intersection of art and mental health education collide. 

Transcript available at:
https://theartistpivot.buzzsprout.com/1296095/5864005-say-yes-to-yourself

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode I am joined by aerialist and dancer Chance Hill. He has a BFA from Southeast Missouri State University and is a former dancer with the Chicago Repertory Ballet. He has also been a Dancer/Acrobat for Streb: Extreme Action Dance Company and a Dancer/Aerialist/Vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. We discuss how he made a pivot from Dentistry to Dance in college, how early on in his career he felt fulfilled, and that no one should feel like they are turning their back on the arts by finding a job in a different industry right now. 

Get in touch: 
Chance Hill 

• Instagram: @channhil

Ayana Major Bey 

Transcript available at:
https://theartistpivot.buzzsprout.com/1296095/5753872-chance-hill-truly-fulfilled

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, I am joined by actress Martina Sykes. She hails from St. Petersburg, FL and graduated from the University of Florida. She was in Motown: The Musical both on Broadway and the National Tour, and has been on The Lion King National Tour for almost 3 years. Martina is also the founder and owner of The Heart Mission, which is a 501c3 community service-based organization designed by artists of the Broadway community to give back to the community through acts of service. We discuss how volunteering with Broadway Serves gave her the opportunity to change her perspective to abundance, the inner work we all have time to do now, and how knowing our value will inform how we return to the entertainment industry. 

Get in touch: 

Martina Sykes 

Ayana Major Bey 

Transcript available at: 
https://theartistpivot.buzzsprout.com/1296095/5669911-martina-sykes-perspective-of-abundance

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode I am joined by dancer, singer, and model, Tempestt Perrin. She hails from Houston, Texas and now resides in New York City. She has graced the stage of the Houston Grand Opera, The World Famous Cotton Club, and has been a Spokesmodel for Luster's Pink Inc. We discuss how inspiring the people around you can be, how knowing your worth can help you focus on what you actually want, and that preparation and gratitude go hand in hand.

Get in touch: 

Tempestt Perrin

Ayana Major Bey 

Transcript available at:
https://theartistpivot.buzzsprout.com/1296095/5563144-tempestt-perrin-know-your-worth

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode I am joined by Salisha Thomas who is an Actress, Blogger, and former Disney vocalist. She was in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Tour as well as on Broadway, and a former Miss California. We discuss her having no sense of urgency to complete her own projects prior to the pandemic and pivoting her priorities from career to family. Also, discovering meditation during this time is like a vacation and asking herself the question who am I now without a show attached to her identity. 

Get in touch: 

Salisha Thomas 

Ayana Major Bey 

Also mentioned in this episode: 

Sandra Elisa Garcia (Marketing and Branding Consultant)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode I am joined by Tavia Riveé who is a performer, director, and former Communications Coordinator for the LA Chamber of Commerce. After earning her Communications degree from Chapman University, Tavia returned to the arts performing in shows including the Inaugural Cruise Cast of the Disney Fantasy, Royal Caribbean’s Hairspray, the National Tour of Motown the Musical and most recently, Disney’s workshop cast of Aida. We discuss her decision to move out of NYC after living there for 10 years and how her creative energy has led her to this new role of Cultural Coordinator. 

Get in touch: 

Tavia Rivee

Ayana Major Bey 

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On this episode I am joined by James Roberts IV. He is an actor, singer, and content creator. He's appeared to critical acclaim in numerous regional and national touring productions and currently co-hosts "Take the Stairs", a podcast offering real talk about life in entertainment. We discuss his plan of getting a yoga certification to down time proof himself in between contracts and getting over the fear of writing down your creative ideas and sharing them with the world. 

Get in touch:

James Roberts IV

Ayana Major Bey 

Transcript available at: 
https://theartistpivot.buzzsprout.com/1296095/5363278-james-roberts-iv-it-hasn-t-been-done-by-me

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.