Today we’d like to introduce you to Shakia Artson.
Hi Shakia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Born and raised in the Bedford Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, NY, I’ve experienced many growing pains while discovering my being. All of the pains and pleasures associated with a fast-paced city have inspired me to dedicate my life to telling unheard stories. My educational background (BA in Communication Arts & Sociology) coupled with time spent abroad (Guatemala, Pacific Islands) has greatly informed my worldview. Years working on the ground in urban communities (Girls Inc, Teen Challenge, 808 Urban) fuels my passion for equal representation of BIPOC in digital media.
I am a published author, ghostwriter, and overall digital consultant. Renaissance artists, such as Langston Hughes, and great black authors/sociologists like Delores Williams and Toni Morrison inform my writing style. I aspire to be as raw and relevant as authors such as Jasmine Mans and Candice Carty-Williams.
Currently, I reside between coasts, traveling from Los Angeles to New York City, where I operate my own Digital Media Agency/Book Publication Company. Kickin it Productions LLC is a one-stop media agency for all your brand’s needs.
At Kickin It Productions LLC, we’re dedicated to providing an all-encompassing experience in the media industry. We are a digital media agency that is committed to the betterment of marginalized communities. We offer a full suite of creative services, from video production and editing to graphic design and photography. We also offer self-publishing services, so even if you’re a first-time filmmaker, we can help you get your project off the ground.
Our publishing house promotes the telling of well-rounded stories through education, acceptance, and grace. We offer ghostwriting, copy editing, literary publication, and video production services. Our team of experts and well-trained individuals are ready to help bring your projects to life.
We believe in creating a safe space for our clients and offering payment plans so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to make your vision come to life. We are committed to our clients and their projects, so let us help you make your dream project a reality.
Recently, I’ve founded the non-profit organization Sisters With Stories Inc. This is another extension of my commitment to young kids growing up in the inner city like me. We provide scholarships, free educational workshops, and sponsor an internship program. We try our best to support urban youth that are interested in learning more about marketing and mass media.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to success is rarely smooth, and my knowledge of this humbles me in times of turmoil.
Being a black woman from Brooklyn with no real industry connections puts me behind so many other hungry creatives also trying to break into an over saturated industry. Oftentimes, this leaves me as the sole financial, creative, & administrative supporter of my businesses.
Securing the funding and hiring adequate help has definitely been my biggest challenges as an entrepreneur.
With this in mind, I want to encourage any aspiring entrepreneurs to keep going. Even if you have to pivot or pause, there is someone else out there who can relate to your struggle. We’re all just trying our best, and someone seeing you carry on throughout the struggle may inspire them not to quit!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a self-published author, host, and business owner. I’ve been writing since I was four years old, and at age 26, I stopped waiting for someone to give me an opportunity. Instead, I created my own path.
I host the “Play to Win” podcast with my dad as a co-host. We bring in special guests to discuss communication within relationships.
Everything I do – whether personal, professional, or creatively is based in my love of people. My commitment to see as many of us live lives worth leading manifests itself through my work.
My only hope is to continue to share my story and that people continue to take whatever they need.
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Kickinitproductions?si=HfAtaJemZWucYzI3
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Grit and determination.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kickinitproductions.com
- Instagram: @shakiaaloveee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shakiaaloveee?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shakiaartson?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@Kickinitproductions/videos
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Shakiaaloveee?
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