Today we’d like to introduce you to Lana Reid.
Hi Lana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1969 and shortly after my arrival my father went into the military. So when I was five years old, with mom and dad, I left my birth city and our family started hopping around the globe as my father was stationed in various places. By the time I was 15 years old, I had lived in ten different homes varying from houses, apartments and mobile homes. I had introduced myself as “the new kid” in at least seven different schools and had racked up addresses in North Carolina, Florida, California, Japan and the Netherlands before I was old enough to drive a car.
That early exposure to different people, different cultures, different customs and mindsets has proven to be one of the core elements of my personality. This understanding that we are all coming from different places and experiences but even in that we can all find ways to connect and embrace each other as individuals and as a community is fundamental to how I move about in this world.
Growing up as a military brat taught me a few things:
Change is inevitable, so learn to flow with it
How to walk into spaces where I knew no one and start up a conversation and make a connection
The importance of community and looking out for one another, even if not related by blood to anyone in that community.
Many of these childhood experiences are how and why I ended up creating “The Male Perspective” podcast. In 2016, I started sitting down with men who were total strangers from everywhere around the globe just having thirty-minute online conversations about whatever was going on in their life and I would post them to my YouTube channel. It was always organic and the first time the men met me and we talked was that moment right before the camera was turned on.
Then in 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, I shifted the direction of the podcast slightly to highlight the theme of #BlackMenMatter. I wanted to use my platform to showcase the value and contributions that Black men have in their families, communities, organizations and beyond. So the podcast has evolved to weekly interviews with Black men who are husbands, fathers, servants, business owners, etc. in my attempt to show that just as all other human beings, the lives of Black men have value.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
(laughs)…no, I would not say it’s been a smooth road. Anything that involves people and human nature is always a tricky mixed bag. One of my biggest struggles has been staying dedicated to the production of the podcast because it is a labor of love. There have been many days when I’ve asked myself “why the heck am I even doing this” but then in one of the conversations after an interview, a guest will say they appreciate what I’m doing to show support for Black men and it keeps me pushing on. Another issue has been staying true to my message despite pushback. I’m a Black woman who champions for Black men and there are some within my own culture and outside of it that believe my stance is unmerited. There are people in society who hold steadfast to the belief in a stereotype that all Black men are thugs, deadbeat dads, lacking in intellect or moral compass and week after week I show up on the scene with a Black man who challenges that narrative. When you make a decision to plant your feet on your soapbox and spread your message, you also have to be prepared to bear the cross that comes along with that. Some folks will not want to hear what you are trying to say. Some folks will dislike you for what you are saying. You have to learn to be okay with that and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve hosted the Male Perspective for seven years now and it’s been such a learning journey for me. I get to speak to men who are doing things that I’m totally clueless about. Some have hobbies and interests that have never been on my radar. Some are operating businesses or have careers that sound like speaking a foreign language to me and in all of that, they patiently give me quick crash courses in the areas of their life that are meaningful to them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
(laughs) I’m not sure I would use the term “luck.” When it comes to “The Male Perspective” podcast, I’ve been very fortunate. I’m a one-woman operation, so that means I look for and book all the guests myself. So what usually happens is a guy will get a DM or email from some strange woman he does not know (me) basically saying “Hey! Can I talk to you for 30 minutes!” With the complexities of Black male-female dynamics in modern days it’s always uncertain how the guys will respond. With each message that I send out, I never know if they will take me seriously, or hesitate as they wonder if I come in peace and don’t plan to pummel them with an interview style that’s attacking. I’ve been very blessed, these men show up to sit down with me and they trust me enough to the point that they don’t even ask me what questions I plan to ask or give me a script they want me to follow. I’m very humbled with that small token of confidence in me and don’t take that responsibility lightly.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lanareid.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanareid/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLanaReid
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelanareid
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lanareid
