Exploring Life & Business with April King of Kingdom Management

Today we’d like to introduce you to April King.

Hi April, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the Caribbean island of Jamaica, where even as a child I voraciously devoured media of all kinds – books, magazines, television (especially once my parents got a satellite dish around age 8 – I had been limited to two local stations before), bootleg VHS rentals, trips across the country to the movie theaters in the capital city of Kingston, and any concert I could convince my father to drag us to.

Something inside me was deeply attuned to the power of entertainment -on people’s emotions, how they dressed. how they saw themselves in relation to the world around them. And I desperately wanted to be a part of it, though I had no idea how that would happen.

My studies and subsequent scholarships lead me to Williams College, where in my junior year I procured by green card through the Diversity Visa Program. Initially, i thought my next step would be law school. But with the ability to stay in the country without a student visa, I decided to take a run at my entertainment dreams. I moved to New York, where my great-aunt let me stay while I tried to find an entry level join any field of entertainment despite my lack of connections of any kind. A well timed and passionately written cover letter landed in in the storied mailroom at the William Morris Agency.

At that agency, I had the opportunity to temp for a talent agent who had a significant multi-hyphenate business, and I fell in love with what she did. She gave me a life-changing piece of advice – that at this early stage it was imperative to move to Los Angeles. So when my lease was up, I did just that! And now I have been in Los Angeles for 20 years!

I rose up the ranks, primarily working with clients of color with multi-hyphenate business, including Keke Palmer, Christina Milian, Teyana Taylor, Quinta Brunson, Luke James, Leon Thomas, LeToya Luckett and Keri Hilson, expanding their careers outside of music into other verticals, primarily in film and television. After 18 years in the agency system, I became a manager about two years ago, continuing that work in a slightly different way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the words of the iconic reggae artist Buju Banton:

“It’s not an easy road,
And many see the glamour and the glitter so them think a bed of rose,
Who feels it knows,
Lord help me sustain these blows…”

The entertainment business is notoriously tough to break into, and even tougher to maintain and grow once the foot is in the door. Systemic inequities on racial. ethnic, socio-economic and gender bases are almost universally inevitable. Clients move on after years of side by side work.

It’s necessary to have a thick skin, strong work ethic, an ability to take it on the chin, and realize this is s business of people, and peoplr have emotions.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kingdom Management?
Kingdom Management is a boutique talent management company redefining what modern representation looks like. We operate nat the intersection of television, film, music, and digital, with a focus on building multi-dimensional careers that extend beyond any single platform.

At its core is a clear point of view: talent should not be boxed in. Kingdom has carved out a reputation for identifying and executing crossover opportunities that position clients to move fluidly across industries – whether that means expanding a musician into scripted television, leveraging comedic voices into brand driven content, or building digital presence as a core business, not an afterthought.

That strategy is informed by my two decade stint inside top agencies and a network that spans studios, streamers, networks, and brands. But what distinguishes my company isn’t just acces, it’s intention. The company is highly selective, deeply hands-on, and focused on long-term value creation rather than short-term wins.

The firm has also become known for championing underrepresented voices and ensuring those perspectives translate into meaningful, sustainable careers. In an industry that often prioritizes momentum over longevity, we are building something different: leverage, ownership, and staying power.

As the definition of entertainment continues to evolve, Kingdom Management is positioning its clients—and its business—at the center of where culture and commerce meet.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The entertainment industry is evolving into a multi-platform ecosystem where talent is no longer confined to a single lane – everyone is expected to move across film, television, digital, and brand partnerships. What sets my work apart is not just operating across those verticals, but doing it with intention. I’ve been building careers this way since my very first client.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: aprilamking
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-king-86768313/

Image Credits
April King photo – Ylva Erevall