Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Haddad
Karla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised by parents of Syrian descent. I spent my childhood attending school in the States while occasionally spending summers in Syria to visit extended family. It was a blended experience, to say the least, planting our roots as a family in America while remaining deeply connected with our heritage, community, and homeland.
From a very young age, I had a strong passion for live music that would later guide me throughout my career. Between concerts, comedy shows, live events, and more, I always saw music & entertainment as an outlet to bring people together, a way to create memories and formidable moments that could shape your interests and worldview. I started college at Ohio State University in 2016 and began my career in the music industry shortly after. My early opportunities included venue marketing, event production, booking, artist representation, and more, exposing me to all sides of bringing a live show to life. On any given day, you could find me working some live event across campus or in the city, embracing being one piece of a larger team of people who were the masterminds behind producing these shows.
After moving to Los Angeles in 2021, I immersed myself in the global nightlife and music space and discovered how there is a scene for everyone and everything in LA. Diaspora kids from all backgrounds combined their connection to their cultures with their talents in music and entertainment. Ranging from Afrobeats, Reggeaton, Amapiano, and eventually music from the Arab region and Arabic language, these scenes inspired me to take my independent ventures seriously, applying my background in marketing and event production in a way that empowered my cultural community.
As a result, I cofounded MJLS, derived from the Arabic term “Majlis,” an independent promoter and artist discovery platform dedicated to showcasing Middle Eastern & North African (MENA) art, music, and culture. We collaborate closely with artists, brands, and organizations to thoughtfully curate events and experiences, offering artists and creatives of diverse mediums a vibrant platform to reach new audiences and share their craft with the world. These events have ranged from flea markets, artist showcases, community meet-ups, club nights, and so much more. My work in this space has become a catalyst to collaborate with creatives across many global communities, encouraging community building and bringing attention to the rising entertainment scenes and blended sounds worldwide.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My career path is best described as nonlinear and has challenged me to stay open to different opportunities, even if it’s not what I perceived for myself at that moment. This has its benefits in the long run but comes with a territory of challenges and uncertainties. In college, I trusted in my passions and dove headfirst into the music industry hoping that people I met along the way would be willing to guide me. Even after finally thinking I had the next step planned out, graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic upended all my plans. Suddenly, I felt directionless and had no viable option to work in the field I built myself up in, but I quickly realized I did not want my path to always be defined by external circumstances. As a result, I became inspired to start taking my creative ventures more seriously, laying the groundwork over the next 2-3 years to bring my passions and ideas to life on an independent basis.
In my current situation, there are a lot of struggles associated with working in a space, specifically the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) arts and entertainment scene, that is severely underrepresented in the mainstream. When there is a hierarchy of people in the industry gatekeeping different opportunities, trying to convince them of our region’s incredible art, music, and culture can be tempting. However, the beauty of our scene is that we are less interested in being palatable to the current system and more interested in carving out a space for ourselves that can support us at every level of our career development.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an event producer and marketing strategist. I specialize in curating event activations and digital campaigns that bring artists, brands, and organizations closer to their communities in unique and memorable ways. More specifically, I focus my work on the global arts and entertainment landscape, creating opportunities for community building and artists in emerging scenes to connect with newer audiences. Whether it’s an artist looking to book a live performance, a venue looking to diversify its programming and bring in new audiences, a creator looking to build an online community, and so much more, I work with individuals and organizations at various points of their careers to help them create meaningful connections with their communities.
I am proud that my work has become an outlet to uplift others. I love fostering collaborations and helping people take their visions from concept to reality. Whether someone is an artist, brand, or organization, I want them to have an opportunity to gain exposure and share their craft or mission with more people. I have built a network of independent creatives that allows me to constantly bring people forward for different opportunities, creating this circular economy where people can lean on each other to make their goals a reality. While I have and continue to specialize in the MENA music and entertainment scene, I work with anyone who is ultimately trying to build community, elevate culture, and empower independent creatives through their work.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
It might seem hard initially, but the best way to network is to immerse yourself in a community. You can always start by joining a group or attending events based on shared interests, a specific activity, your cultural background, and more. Diving headfirst into a community or passion project will naturally draw people to you, while also connecting you to creators and collaborators with similar visions that you can build with. Focus on building genuine connections and reaching out to people who inspire you. The friendships and community networks are ultimately going to be the first people who are going to look out for you in the long run and bring you closer to your next step, whatever that may look like.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karlahaddad.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karla.jpg/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/the.mjls/
Image Credits
Kamel at the Moroccan Lounge: Juan Antonio Garcia
Ya Tab Tab Night: Akram Hamdan
