Life & Work with Valerie Idehen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Idehen.

Hi Valerie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Excited to share my story. Today, I’m proud to be an accomplished executive producer, director, development executive and content creator.

Lowkey, my career as an entertainment exec began my sophomore year in high school. I went to Deerfield Academy, a boarding school in Western Massachusetts, and that year, I joined the Student Activities Committee. I was always fascinated by what moves people to show up places and gives them joy. I planned a lot of the campus parties and would book a dope DJ duo out of Wesleyan University, then known as DJ Reach and The Sundance Kid. Today, they are two of the biggest DJs in the music business. Reach was the official DJ for Last Call with Carson Daly (before Carson launched The Voice), has DJ’d for Jay Z, Miley Cyrus among a lengthy list of celebrities, and holds residencies in different hotspots between NYC and Vegas. Jahi Sundance is now a well-respected, prolific music producer and Robert Glasper’s DJ. Shout out to the homies! In high school, I was also a performing artist. I was in dance productions, co-choreographed performances that brought Hip Hop and African dance to the forefront, sang in the girl’s a cappella group, and co-founded a step team that still exists today. We wore field hockey uniforms and made it do what it do. LOL. Over 20 years later, I hear they have their own uniforms and compete in step competitions across the region. We love to see it.

I continued to pursue these passions while a student at Yale. On the artist side, I performed and choreographed in the dance troupe Rhythmic Blue and sang in Shades, an R&B / Soul a cappella group. But what really got me was the creative work behind the scenes – I was marketing manager for the singing group, made all our flyers, and also served as the group’s choreographer. On the producer side, I worked at the African American Cultural Center, affectionately known as “The House”, where I created a talk series called “Mental Pabulum”. I’d arrange for different professors to speak to students in small group settings where they could share their trajectories and show us examples of paths we might choose to follow. I also got to co-produce our annual Harvard-Yale game AFAM house tailgate, which was well attended every year and super lit. I guess you can say I’ve always been a trailblazer. I was awarded prizes at both my high school and college graduations, and it felt wonderful to be acknowledged for my creative contributions to both communities. Lastly, I was most definitely a workaholic. I like to say that Nigerians are the original Jamaicans on that front. Having obtained my work permit by age 13, by the time I got to Deerfield at 14, I held three campus jobs. Similarly at Yale, I did the same. I always worked in a library as one of the three, but I think the job that had the most impact on me was serving as Elizabeth Alexander’s assistant. It was the first time I realized you can have a successful career as a creative. She also nurtured my work as a poet, which has left a lasting imprint on my soul.

Before I officially got my start in the business, I fell into managing my brothers in a rap group. During my last year of college, while in New York for a job interview in March or April before graduation, I discovered that two of my brothers, Francis and Felix, had formed a rap trio named Literati. I was staying at one of their apartments and overheard some music that stopped me in my tracks. “Who is this?” I asked… “It’s us,” he replied with a smirk. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – it was way better than what was on the radio. As he told me more, I learned they were using Pro Tools to record in Brooklyn and sending tracks back and forth to their fellow member and producer, Kwame, who lived in Cali. They sounded like polished performers and musicians; their writing skills were actually next level. The music felt timeless and, honestly, still bangs to this day! Completely blown away by their sound and ingenuity and feeling they had great potential, I immediately appointed myself as their manager. I went back to New Haven in full manager mode while finishing up school. I lived off campus at that point and just remembered being in my apartment, on non-stop calls and springing to action. Learning how to navigate the responsibilities on the fly, I decided to produce one big 4th of July show. I cold-called the event booker at the Knitting Factory, which at the time was in TriBeCa, sold her on a show, and the rest was history. I raised money and produced and distributed flyers. I booked DJ Reg West (Lil Kim’s DJ at the time), and their first and only time performing live ended up being sold out and even turned a profit.

The night of the dress rehearsal, I noticed a voicemail on my phone. It was from MTV Networks Human Resources. They were looking for “an Ivy League grad who could interact with executives” and had received my resume. I went in to interview on Monday and Tuesday and landed my first TV job as the Advertising & Marketing Department Assistant at Comedy Central. After about a year, I transitioned to the same role in Production Development at MTV. During those entry-level years, I was so young and hungry. A complete self-starter, I’d put together pitch decks and read everything that crossed my desk – Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, overall deal contracts, development, and series budgets. I introduced myself to any and everyone. Plus, I was all over the burgeoning elements of streaming and social media – Napster, MySpace, BlackPlanet…but it was my sister Sandra, who was in her final year at Brown, that I have to credit for creating my first Facebook profile. It was only open to people with “edu” emails back then, and I almost missed the early wave because I’d dismissed it as a college thing. She made a page for me with my alumni email address and got me right.

From there, I got into a few entrepreneurial ventures before oscillating between freelance producing and holding development positions at various production companies. Over the course of my career thus far, I’ve been able to produce series and develop new ideas for networks like VH1, WEtv, E!, TLC, BET, and Oxygen. As an early adopter of creating content for social media, I’ve held positions and worked in that medium for different organizations, start-ups, brands, and artists. The combination of creative work has been incredibly rewarding and exciting.

Currently, my major career goal is to have a broad and profound impact on the unscripted business through ushering in compelling content that simultaneously entertains, educates and inspires. I wholeheartedly believe every piece of compelling content resonates with viewers via these three essential qualities no matter the genre, format or tone. I am passionate about pushing creative forward, illuminating untold stories, empowering creative talent and consistently generating opportunities for myself and others. It is important to me to push creative boundaries, innovate, and move our business forward with the best and most talented collaborators. My ultimate career aspiration is to continue to pursue my calling at the pinnacle of my capabilities. My current slate reflects the breadth of possibilities when underrepresented voices are given the opportunity – both in front of the camera and behind the screen – and inclusivity is a driving force in the creative process.

At the same time, I don’t ever want to feel as if I’m trapped in a box. Creative expression is my lifeblood. I’m a creative – true and through – standing at the intersection of art and commerce. I enjoy exploring my passions and pursuing the visions that come to my mind. And I love challenging myself with new things because having to figure it out keeps you grounded. Whether it’s in the realms of fashion, tv, music, and media… whether I’m in front of or behind the camera, in the role of executive, consultant or part of a performing artist’s support system, it is all intrinsic to who I am and my passions. God blessed me with the gift of being a visionary and the fortitude to accomplish great things. I’ve got a lot of goals and intend to go after many of them this year.

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?
Getting here has been anything but a smooth road. As a Black woman in America, it literally does not matter what credentials or knowledge you have – you are constantly being underestimated, mislabeled, the subject of lies and attempts to assassinate your character, having ideas stolen without participation or credit, underpaid, excluded from opportunities, betrayed, faced with double standards, judged by the color of your skin, judged by your difference…it’s no coincidence that Black women are exiting corporate America and starting businesses at the highest rates. Now, imagine dealing with all of that along with the great challenge of the TV business, which is the constant pivot — the challenge as a creator of having to decipher when to steadfastly adhere to your vision and when to recalibrate. My philosophy is that you must pay attention to the market but I’m a firm believer that if you build it, they will come. Innovation will always trump the status quo. It requires a keen focus and the ability to drown out the constant background noise, tap into your creativity, and harness your power to successfully execute your visions. It comes with a great deal of stress, which requires an extraordinary amount of strength and patience to manage – patience with and trust in yourself and the process. It’s a delicate balance, one that underscores the level of resilience needed to thrive in a world that sometimes struggles to grasp the full spectrum of individual potential. People prefer to label or confine you to a predetermined box and, of course, attempt to keep you small. When they can’t, they feel threatened or become afraid or even worse, jealous. I’m astonished by the way people can act out of jealousy. It’s such an ugly trait because of what it can drive people to do…I am thick-skinned, though.

Luckily, God blessed me with an empowering heart rather than an envious one with the fortitude to trust myself in the middle of mayhem. I’m so thankful for the qualities God gave me – courage, grace, determination, resilience, passion. I’ve always been very bold. I like that about myself. I’m a truth-teller and a truth-seeker, a dreamer and a doer. I can’t be anyone other than myself. I’ve been hearing for a long time now that I’m a Unicorn. My uniqueness, kindness, and faith in my abilities are 100% superpowers. Some of the best advice I’ve been given throughout my career that I would also give is to bet on yourself. I’ve also always been told, “It’s lonely at the top”. At some point, you must embrace this position if you’re determined to win. Being underestimated and battling preconceived notions as a Black woman in America has been quite a journey, but I’ve grown comfortable with pushing past adversity. It’s far from easy. Regular therapy definitely helps. So does having a strong network and a tribe of trusted phenomenal women to lean on and learn from. We constantly pour into each other, and I couldn’t be more grateful!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Call me anything but a one trick pony! I’m truly a multi-hyphenate. These are exciting times because so many of my contemporaries are prominent, successful multi-hyphenates…Sure, growing up, we had people like Oprah and Queen Latifah, but they were seen as so rare, different, and beyond out of reach. Earlier in my career, people struggled to understand me in my most true and authentic self, which was rather isolating. Now, there are many of us showing up in culture who are rewarded for being exactly who they are — which is not just one thing. Women like Issa Rae, Teyana Taylor, my dear friend Maimouna Youssef aka Mumufresh, and Beyonce. I could go on and on about prominent and accomplished multi-hyphenates, Black Girl Magic is actually real. It has been genuinely uplifting and inspiring to witness the shift towards a more normalized acceptance of diversity and authenticity throughout today’s society.

BUT, if I had to label myself, I guess I would say I’m a “Corpreneur”. One of my homegirls in Chicago coined that term, and I feel very aligned with it. I’m incredibly entrepreneurial, but there’s definitely a corporate approach to my work style. Artists love working with me because I bring the organization and structure that are necessary for growth in creative businesses. I am equally appreciated within the corporate environment for my outside-the-box thinking. I’d say I’m most known for this as well as for my range. I’m proud to operate in multiple lanes, at a high level, as my most authentic self.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I have a very adventurous spirit and find happiness in exploration. Whether it’s concerts, art festivals, nature, fishing, travel, cooking, research, writing, something I’m developing or producing or even just engaging in dynamic conversations, the thrill of discovery brings me joy. I love the mystery and magical feeling of new findings. Flowers make me very happy, too. I’ve really enjoyed learning to care for my aquarium and tropical fish which is an adventure that started two years ago. I also enjoy helping others achieve their dreams and visions. That absolutely makes me happy as well. It feels good to have a bigger purpose than myself. To that end, I love educating and being educated and have taught both formally and informally since the beginning of my career. Teaching at a university is one of my next major goals once I complete my master’s degree this spring. 

Pricing:

• People have always loved pitching me their ideas, and I was recently invited to join the Stage 32 platform as an educator. I really like what they’re doing for the next generation. Any creative interested in workshopping their material or seeking career advice can book time with me for different services on that platform.
• Pitch Deck Review + 30 Min Call with Valerie: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=60&affid=sr&exec=2265

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id%3D60%26affid%3Dsr%26exec%3D2265&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1704690952146589&usg=AOvVaw1ueP6Cz_Ht37cDAr88ck3l

• Career Development Talk + 60 Min Call with Valerie – https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=6&genre=project&affid=sr&exec=2265

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id%3D6%26genre%3Dproject%26affid%3Dsr%26exec%3D2265&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1704690973825698&usg=AOvVaw1eLeD5FJpC-3kUkRmti3tB

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/v1andonly/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valerie.idehen
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieidehen/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValStyle

 

Image Credits
Amy Graves Photography