We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?

The entertainment industry is a powerful force that shapes the way people perceive themselves and the world around them. The images that the entertainment industry produces and distributes can have a significant impact on the self-esteem, mental health, and social behavior of the audiences. Therefore, it is important that we as creatives promote positive images that reflect the diversity, beauty, and potential of human beings.

Our goal is to create images of African Americans that portray the community in a realistic, respectful, and empowering way. Images that celebrate the differences and similarities among people of the African American community as well as the African diaspora. Images that also challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that often limit the opportunities and choices of people in society.

More positive and realistic images of African Americans in the media can have many benefits for individuals and society as a whole. For example, these images can:

– Boost the self-confidence and self-worth of the people who see themselves represented in the media.
– Inspire the people to pursue their dreams and goals without fear of discrimination or rejection.
– Foster a sense of belonging and connection among the people who share common identities and experiences.
– Encourage the people to appreciate and respect the diversity and uniqueness of others.
– Reduce the stigma and discrimination that people face because of their appearance or identity.
– Promote social justice and equality by raising awareness and empathy for the issues and challenges that people face.

However, these images in the media industry are not always easy to find or create. The entertainment industry is often influenced by the dominant culture, the market forces, and the personal biases of the producers and consumers. The media industry may also face pressure from the advertisers, the regulators, and the competitors. As a result, the entertainment industry may resort to negative images that are sensationalized, distorted, or degrading. Negative images are those that portray people in a unrealistic, disrespectful, or disempowering way. Negative images reinforce the stereotypes and prejudices that often harm the well-being and dignity of people in society.

Although, we would love for the entertainment industry to take responsibility and accountability for the images that it creates and disseminates. We decided to provide a solution by producing and distributing images that are accurate, authentic, and inclusive, by seeking feedback and collaboration from the people in the community who are affected by the images that it produces.

Positive and accurate imaging is important for the personal and social development of the community and the society. They also enhance self-esteem, mental health, and social behavior by fostering a culture of diversity, respect, and empowerment.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Thank you for your interest in my business. I am the founder and CEO of Talented10th Entertainment, a record label that focuses on artist development. Talented10th Entertainment is different from other record labels because it offers more than just music production and distribution. We also provide mentoring, coaching, branding, marketing, and networking opportunities for the artists. We are also committed to social and cultural responsibility, by supporting causes like education, empowerment, and diversity.

I am proud of and excited about our mission to discover, nurture, and promote the best talents in the music industry. Talented10th values the artistic vision, creative expression, and personal growth of the artists as well as celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of the artists, who come from various backgrounds, genres, and styles.

My journey to where I am today was not easy. I faced many challenges and obstacles along the way. I started Talented10th in 2020, when the music industry was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many artists lost their income, opportunities, and motivation due to the lockdowns, cancellations, and uncertainties. I had to work hard to convince investors, partners, and artists to trust and support Talented10th Entertainment. I also had to deal with financial, and ethical issues that arose from operating a record label. I have had to constantly learn, adapt, and innovate to keep up with the changing trends and demands of the music industry.

The lessons I learned along the way are:

– Vision is the key to success. I have a clear and compelling vision of what I want to achieve with Talented10th. I have a vision to create a record label that can help artists and make a difference in the world.

– Collaboration is the foundation of growth. I could not have achieved anything without the help and collaboration of my team. I am grateful for the skilled and passionate people who work with me. We share a common goal, mission, and culture. We support and inspire each other to do our best.

– Artist is the focus of value. I always listen to and care about the needs and expectations of the artists. I strive to provide the best service and experience for the artists. I aim to create value for the artists, and in turn, for the business.

What I want the world to know about me or my brand and story is that I am a leader and a learner. I have a passion for music and a talent for business. I have a passion to make Talented10th Entertainment the best record label in the world. I have a talent to make Talented10th Entertainment a successful and sustainable business. I am always ready to improve, grow, and evolve. I am always willing to share, connect, and contribute. I am Talented10th, and Talented10th is me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well it would depend on which city we are in.

If we are in Orlando

– Start the day with a delicious brunch, where you can enjoy bottomless mimosas, pastries, and signature breakfast items.

– After brunch, explore CityWalk, the epicenter of Universal Orlando. To check out the various shops and venues, such as

– After CityWalk, head to the Amway Center to catch a Magic game. To Cheer on the home team as they face off against their NBA rivals

– End your day with some culture and creativity at a live music and poetry show

I doubt I would cram all of these into a one day intenary, but we definitely cover these hot spots.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Im not going to drag this out, so….

Shoutout to God
My family
Renaldo Stewart
August Rayne
Shoot 2 kill Films
Ramzy
Lives Over Money
And so many other people who support are genuinely fans of our work.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/hillarybanks03?igshid=MWNxMG1zb2tjZGF5Mw==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyasmith03?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewordsmith03?mibextid=PzaGJu

Image Credits
Jim Trewin

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