Today we’d like to introduce you to Antoine Tate.
Hi Antoine, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I, Antoine Tate aka. A.T. am a writer, graphic designer and social media strategist.
Growing up in Washington, D.C., I avoided trouble by retreating to my imagination, desperately using it to fuel my creativity…especially in the form of writing.
Wrestling-
As a kid, I used to be obsessed with wrestling. Especially in the 90s and early 00s. I’m talking The Rock, Stone Cold, DX, The Hardy Boys and the Divas such as Sable, Lita, Trish and Chyna. I studied everything about it, and ironically… two skills came out of that obsession. 1) Screenwriting and 2) Graphic Design. How? Well…
In the early 00s, I joined a few internet wrestling discussion forums anywhere I could find them. And like today’s social media profiles, forum profiles required profile pics and banners. People used to create banners and charge “Internet Money” to create them. Inspired, I decided to get Adobe Photoshop and learn how to create banners also. That was my foray into the graphic designing space.
Regarding screenwriting, on these discussion forums, there were opportunities to Role-Play as a wrestler; you could either play as a wresting star or create your own wrestler. In this world, you won by writing the best insert or “cut a promo” around your wrestler. Through this, I learned the art of world-building and creating a story. At the time, I didn’t realize I was developing writing skills that would change my life.
Luckily, my nerdy wrestling phase paid off…
High School –
In 2007, while attending a high school-based summer program, I wrote a college essay about defying black male stereotypes that landed me on the front cover of the New York Times. And get this… after receiving some attention for my article and now published essay, I received a full ride to college because of it. And too be clear, the scholarship was for anywhere. I applied and got accepted into Penn State.
College –
At Penn State, I was a student leader. I ran my Kappa Alpha Psi Chapter, the Black Student Union, the Fashion Shows, was involved in SGA, Student Funding, and other activities on and off campus, all while pursuing a degree in communication and interning for the Pennsylvania House Legislature. Yes, I was serious about my future.
L.A. Beginnings –
In 2013, after graduating from Penn State University with a degree in Humanities (Communications Major) and unbeknownst to me, I was recommended to a TV production internship in L.A. Thrilled, I dropped all my promising political aspirations, called upon my family and friends for financial help, and moved to L.A. to pursue a career as a writer in the entertainment industry.
Upon arrival, times were rough, but… social media… particularly vine changed my life. And I become a Vine influencer and content creator. I created the “Black Vine Entertainment Awards” and held a show two years in a row (2014 & 2015). It was extremely popular on the platform and jumped-started my social media content creating and marketing path.
Currently –
Throughout my journey, I learned A LOT and obtained A LOT. So now, I’ve decided to combine my social media marketing, content creating, writing and graphic design skills to start my business, ATsWorld Media, Social Media and Design Agency specializing in Marketing, Branding & Design.
Overall –
I know that was A LOT but wrestling really jumped started my creative journey up until now. If you want me to elaborate on anything. Let me know.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I appreciate my journey thus far, but it’s not been without hardships.
Again, I moved here because of an opportunity in L.A.; however, two months in, I was humbled. I could barely afford my rent, I faced homelessness and slept on many couches until I was able to secure a room that I found on craigslist.
I must admit though, after trying to survive in Hollywood, I found myself becoming stagnant and unable to keep up with my creativity. For about years now, I’ve been uninspired. And I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of time.
To make matters worse, I began getting into my own head. Self-Doubt. Guilty. Embarrassment.
I was a young man who was destined for amazing things. I had a promising career path in politics, but I gave up everything for my passions. Sadly, I felt like I had nothing to show for it.
Then 2020 happened. I was hired to do some social media work for a friend’s company, and it sparked my creative drive once again.
But in early 2021, tragedy struck. My little cousin passed away and a few weeks later, my mother passed away as well. In addition, I was faced with unemployment. No income, nothing.
After a month or so, I stopped mourning and decided to do something about my finances and my career.
Because I thought, “If I were to die today, what legacy will I leave? Who will pay for my funeral? Will my family be okay?”
Immediately, got up off my ass and started working on ATsWorld Media. Two months later, I launched my business as well as my 365 Days of Social Media Calendar and I’ve been seeing business leads and profits. And it’s only up from here!
Everything I do from here on out will honor my cousin, my mother, my family, and most importantly, myself!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about ATsWorld Media?
ATsWorld Media is a Social Media Marketing and Design Agency specializing in Branding, Management and Graphic Design. For over eight years, I’ve been producing top-notch designs and consulting with businesses and brands.
I’m not just someone who talks the talk. I’ve been heavily involved in social media from Lil Bow Wow chatrooms and Black Planet to MySpace, Twitter and Facebook, from Vine and Instagram all the way to Tik Tok and Clubhouse. I understand the social media landscape, and as it grows, I’ll continue to grow with it.
Regarding my services…
Need a Graphic Designer? I am that.
Need Strategy and Management? I can do that.
Need Content? I got that.
You can even purchase my 365 Days of Social Media Content Calendar to help.
And that’s just the begin. And if you don’t necessarily need my services, eventually, I’ll have templates and other items that can help you help yourself.
Any big plans?
I want to continue to push ATsWorld Media as a Social Media Marketing and Design Agency. But eventually, I’d like to expand into a multimedia company that’ll also included a film & TV production house, live events, and apparel & merch.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.atsworldmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsatsworld/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATsWorldMedia
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsATsWorld
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/atsworldmedia/
Image Credits
Yellow Shirt and Background – Photo Cred (@ajalabandele & @headshottruck) Black Hat and Black Jacket as well as Green Hat with Yellow Jacket – Photo Cred (@mmooneyimages)
