Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2011, I quit my job at USC, to move to New York City for an internship with BET Networks in the PR department and ended up in both the production department & PR department as a production assistant.
This sparked a love for production that I didn’t know I had.
In 2013, I partnered with a team in NYC to produce a stage at A3C Festival in Atlanta, GA, with DJ Young Guru (aka Jay Z’s DJ). This is when I knew I loved doing events. I asked myself around this time, ‘Why can I do this in Atlanta & not in Los Angeles?’ and that’s what birthed Block Party Los Angeles. In 2014 and 2015 I created, developed and produced a Block Party LA, which consisted of performances by local artists such as Overdoz, Alex Isley, Curtis King, iLLCamille, Preston Harris, DJ Hed, just to name a few, with guest performances by DJ BattleCat, Kurupt, Talib Kweli and Ab Soul from TDE with over 1500 in attendance.
Determined to grow a business and brand, in 2015 I decided to take a break from producing events on my own to hone in on all production skills to fully form my production company called A. Glaspie Productions, LLC.
A. Glaspie Productions is an events production company that produces events such as Festivals, Conventions, Conferences and Tours. You name it we can produce.
In October 2018, I asked God to show me how to BET ON MYSELF and he placed on my heart #CoolAssBlackWoman. #CoolAssBlackWoman champions the achievements of black women, highlighting the victories of the everyday woman: students, blue and white-collar working women, entrepreneurs and mothers. #CoolAssBlackWoman focuses on the black woman, not her shape, her followers or her title. #CoolAssBlackWoman focuses on who she is, her goals and who she desires to be.
The idea was birthed after several years of being a black woman in production, I discovered how hard it was connecting with women in both corporate America and the entertainment industry due to the competition and being told there is only room for one. I wanted to prove otherwise. As not only a person but as a black woman, I knew I needed to be around positive people and create an environment conducive to the evolution. #CoolAssBlackWoman is a platform that was created for black women to fellowship, be vulnerable and to see life from different perspectives, while creating moments to connect and support one another.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road is never smooth when you are creating something from the ground up.
From quitting my job in 2011 to go into production full time, to creating a production company of my own. I had to put my big girl panties on and grab the bull by the horns.
My biggest struggle has been finding a sense of community amongst black women.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the A. Glaspie Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
Glaspie Productions is an events production company. We produce events such as festivals, conventions, conferences and tours. You name it we can produce.
I am extremely proud of everything that my company has accomplished. LOL
From the Block Party LA to #CoolAssBlackWoman none of this is easy but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
The thing that sets me apart from others is, I genuinely care about people and their advancement. As cliché as it sounds, I want to be the change I want to see and I am doing just that.
I would like to share a testimony from the Los Angeles leg of the #CoolAssBlackWoman Brunch and Speak Series. There was a young lady in attendance that had never considered going to college. After attending the brunch, she was inspired by the speakers and stories from other ladies in attendance to enroll. She began her first year in college and I was there to assist her and witness it all.
It was a bit of an ah-ha moment for me because, I am accomplishing what I set out to do as a company, and it assured me that I am moving in the right direction.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I can’t speak to where I see the industry going in the next 5-10 years. However, I can tell you where I would like to see A. Glaspie Productions. I see A. Glaspie Productions producing tours, concerts and festivals. By that time, #CoolAssBlackWoman will have an annual tour and convention. My immediate “long term-esque” goal is to bring back the Block Party Concert Series in 2020
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
CoolAssBlackWoman.com - Email: info@
coolassblackwoman.com - Instagram: @CoolAssBlackWoman
- Facebook: CoolAssBlackWoman
- Twitter: @CoolAssBlackWoman
Image Credit:
DayMechelle Photography, M3llo Drama
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