Meet Aliyah “Young Harpo” Thomas of Woodification in Inglewood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aliyah “Young Harpo” Thomas.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
During my tenure at Tuskegee University, I was often asked what I wanted to be when I got older and my answer was always “Oprah”. It was the easiest way to bundle everything together that I wanted to accomplish, from acting to filmmaking, entrepreneurship to philanthropy, Oprah was it. During college, I began interviewing everyone from musicians to football players. The passion I had in front and behind the camera is when I knew Young Harpo would build into something big.

After college, I moved back home to Inglewood, CA where I noticed the community losing its culture, its people and its history day by day due to gentrification. I decided to stop complaining and try to make a difference by documenting the changes, educating our community and fighting for what is right.

That is where “Woodification” the documentary was born. Woodification is a documentary that depicts the current gentrification occurring throughout Inglewood, but also provides solutions and suggestions to the current problems we are facing as a community. I wanted to express the importance of Black home ownership, educate our community on how we can obtain such, why it is important being active within your community, and why we need to make sure we vote. I will have different residents speaking, real estate brokers, and hopefully a few political figures as well.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Filming my documentary has not been a smooth road, but I have always had a stay positive mindset that keeps me going. One of the biggest struggles I have faced while filming my documentary was receiving support from community officials. I got a lot of backlash for simply trying to put the truth out there. People of color are being displaced from their long term residences at a disproportionate rate. There’s no way to sugar coat that, but my overall goal is to figure out ways we can fix this, and make sure it never happens again.

Tell us about your business/company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I would best like to say I do a plethora of different things, which sets me aside from others. I branded myself as Young Harpo so people could take me seriously about becoming the next Oprah. I have a website, Godslovedoneswinning.com that promotes black-owned businesses throughout Los Angeles. I curate content and marketing for different businesses, I am now an official filmmaker, and will have a podcast titled “GROWTH” coming at the end of the summer! I feel it is best not to place yourself in a specific box because we all have many different talents that can take us in many different directions. The most exciting part of my Young Harpo brand is that everyone now refers to me as young Harpo, the people around me see the potential which draws in others as well. It is very exciting to see people believe in your dreams while you help them achieve theirs as well.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Tuskegee University first and foremost deserves credit for helping me realize my potential and exposing me to my true talent. My mother for always pushing me to create content, and actually put Young Harpo into motion. My friends and my family for believing in me and always coming to me first whenever they need content or marketing done for their businesses. Everyone from Inglewood and LA that have helped me with my documentary, whether that is connecting me with someone to be interviewed, or simply sharing my post on social media to help generate the buzz. I would like to thank my film crew, Owners TV for believing in my vision and executing it to their fullest potential. Last but not least, my church, Center of Hope LA, for keeping me grounded and helping me continue to walk by faith and not by sight.

Contact Info:

• Website: Godslovedoneswinning.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodification_thedocumentary/
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/leeezylee/
• Twitter: twitter.com/youngharpo

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