An Inner View...

Since a child on the playground in elementary school I can remember kids sharing their family secrets, thoughts and perspectives as we twirled on monkey bars and skipped through hopscotch. Kids share everything, yet I somehow gained vaults of information and subsequently without pause shared my childlike feedback and insight in hope of being responsive and when necessary comforting. As I grew older: people in elevators, at games, restaurants, the grocery store and most everywhere would burst of stories, accomplishments and stress, often sharing much more than you can imagine in a short time with me. As I started working jobs and began my career, no matter the environment, same thing. I finally realized, this thing was a gift.

The following is my first interview for 2020 for a project I'm working on. The questions were sent to me, and as I read them back I thought to share an inner view of Donjia Gale opening this new decade. My journey is quite fascinating if I say so myself, I say this with a gentle smile, we all have a special story in progress. When I'm faith jumping and making sh*t happen I just do it: create, believe, bounce back, change, adjust, learn, fail, succeed, improve and become what is necessary both personally and professionally. I now teach, share stories and my experiences with others to ignite intentional actions as a partner in personal and professional development. As I reflected and answered the questions my heart was all over the place! So much gratitude and minimal if any regrets, no matter how tough it got or how I may have won and/or loss certain episodes along the way. Oh yes! I have taken some L's on levels, yet I equate them to learning which has been rain to this blooming flower.

MW - What was your childhood like?

DG - I enjoyed a wonderful childhood, 2 parent home, family, love, sports, debutante, brownie/girlscout, played the flute and ate extremely well as I come from generations of amazing chefs. I've always loved music ,television, movies, talk shows, commercials and entertainment as a child, a young journalist at heart since I can remember.

MW - How did some of your early work experiences prepare you for what was to come?

DG- My eclectic background from telecommunications, wealth management, healthcare, radio, media, Fortune 500 Companies, beauty and health brands, banking etc. rounded my perspective and pursuit of purpose. Every area I worked, volunteered and played in was "school" leading to what I do now in enhancing and connecting brands, consulting and empowering individuals both personally and professionally as well as my media presence with my vlog/show Right Now with Donjia Gale.

MW - How did you get started in the entertainment industry?

DG - This came to me naturally, in high school, college and early on in my career people always asked for my advice on music, projects, their sound and even style. I began volunteering on projects my friends were working on while working in the financial world and in corporate. From there I was invited to host the Women's Broadcasting Network, asked to do Public Speaking, host shows/events, stage management, speak on behalf of brands and work in marketing and brand awareness with artists, individuals, companies and entertainment teams etc.

MW - Tell me about your on-air hosting.

DG - It's one of my favorite areas of work, I'm open and so ready to do more in front of the camera and in radio! I don't feel like its work when I'm on air, the words, questions and responses come naturally, it's a happy place for me. Being live is real and exciting! I was the host of WBN, a 1 hour live show on Wednesdays streamed online and aired over 50 stations nationwide. We talked about every subject relative to women, family, finances, fashion, corporate, politics, everything! Guests were women and men in all areas of work and success. One main focus was entrepreneurship and education, we created the Donjia Gale Institute for Entrepreneurship and held events with guests to share and empower women.

MW - What do you love about producing?

DG - I am an ideator, producing blends my creativity and elements of leadership together. I am equally right and left brained, I love working with teams, creating and seeing ideas and collaborations come to life to inspire and empower others on and off screen.

MW - What drew you to management?

DG - I was working on a live television show and caught the attention of a music artist who loved my work ethic, energy and character. He asked me to manage him, at the time he had #1 sales in Japan and Denver. I said yes, he later changed direction and began a family. About 6 years later he was producing with an amazing talent in Oregon, Josephine Relli, who I now manage in LA, he referred her to me. I began working as her Brand Consultant the first year, a demand for management rose, we took it from there. I have been co-managing my son Kay-Ree's exceptional talents, working on special projects and with various artists/teams along the way.

MW - What excites you about a young/new artists?

DG - There are many new artists out here doing great work and expressing themselves through the arts. What excites me about the young artists I choose to work with is the level of awareness, consciousness and silent maturity they have. They are brilliant, fearless, exceptionally creative and they really care about whats happening in the world. Their end goal is to positively influence and inspire others with their creativity, talent and business ethic. It's about more than just being a star, its about influence, purpose and giving back.

MW - What do you love about this era [or the future] of the music industry?

DG- So so much! We were on the Red Carpet attending the Grammy's Sunday, what an amazing, yet emotional experience. So much I could share, I'll save it for another chat. I was inspired and exposed to so many amazing artists and people passionate about music and entertainment. I love the limitless opportunities evolving through media today. I enjoy all of the visuals and countless platforms for artists and anyone and everyone to share both personally and professionally as they wish. I am a fan of the tool of social media and all media yet definitely believe it should be used and shared with discipline, wisdom and respect. Over all I believe it's a tremendous time for people to thrive and reach their target audience(s), no excuses, create, press record and share! Music is love, it's expression and when artists create from their soul, where we can feel it, something special happens. Real music will return as we evolve, I'm confident in this. When staying true to ourselves, we are reminded we are truly our brand, there is no competition in knowing this from within, thus this era and the future success of the music industry is limitless.

MW - Could you talk a bit about being a mother/raising your children?

DG - Oh how I love being a mom! Yet, I was a girl who evolved into a woman first. That young girl around age 9, knew that a son and a daughter in that order would be in her future, at 22 my son arrived just 10 days after my amazing father transitioned. My dad was everything to me, my mom is alive and well, so very special. I grew up in a safe, supported home where I knew love in so many ways, my parents weren't perfect, yet love was resounding and always present. My daughter arrived 5 years later and the journey has been more than an adventure. I raised my children on my own, with friends becoming family and a safe system and trust among us what we call our "Triangle." I started a non profit called "TryAngles" based on this, empowering single parenting families, with the motto "There's always a way, Try another Angle." I took my children to business meeting, seminars, events and more as they played sports, participated in plays and the joys and pains of growing up. Seeing them evolve as young adults exploring life makes my heart smile, through our success and failures their love and our life as individuals and as a team inspires me beyond words. 

DG - The above is only a vague outline of my journey thus far, I have overcome much. I am sharing more details and powerful stories on my vlog this year, Right Now with Donjia Gale. I'd like to add, that one of the most powerful areas of awareness that keeps me growing and humble come what may, is knowing, practicing and honoring Right Now. I encourage people to think on this, the Universe will positively answer, no respect to person or circumstance when we focus and are present in the Now.

"You have everything you need, you have right now." ~ Donjia Gale - DonjiaGale.com

Visit JosephineRelli.com and KayreeGale.com for more on their music and upcoming projects.

Thank you MWPR!