Meet Aaron Follins | Author, Media & Culture Agent

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

Hi Aaron, how does your business help the community?
My business, Avenue A Media Group and my passion project, Ovation: A Celebration of H.I.M. helps the community by highlighting culture. Our mission with Ovation is to create a space where Black Men, who have generally been vilified by mass media, can be celebrated for their accomplishments and philanthropic efforts, hopefully inspiring the next generation in the process. At Avenue A, we share our client’s stories in a way that adds impact and value to the culture.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Avenue A Media Group is a full-service communications firm. It’s our job to tell the stories of our clients. Whether you are a Grammy nominated singer-songwriter wanting to share new music with the world or a family owned and operated restaurant that is looking to get the word out about their dishes, we help create a narrative that brings the results you desire. We’re a small firm but we represent a diverse roster of clients across the entertainment spectrum from music and lifestyle as well as film, television, events and fashion.

I started my career as a Media Personality. I did radio and operated two popular online magazines before switching over to the PR side of entertainment. Until January of this year, it was a side hustle. I decided to take a leap into full time entrepreneurship and haven’t looked back. Easy? Nope. Worth it? Absolutely. It’s a shark’s territory but not unlike most genres, the key to success is building solid relationships that can turn in to vital partnerships.

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.
I came to Atlanta as a freshman student at Morris Brown College in 2001. Needless to say, the city has changed immensely since then. I’ve built an entire brand on chewing haha. I know where all the good food spots are. I won’t give them all away today but I will say When I have friends visiting. My ideal week would include brunch at the flagship Highland Bakery, Ms. Icey’s in the Emory/Decatur area and/or a visit to Breakfast at Barney’s. We’ve got to stop by Negril Village in Midtown or The Chastain at Chastain Park or Papi’s Cuban near Piedmont Park for lunch. After people watching and walking some of the Belt Line (while enjoying King of Pops no less), Drinks are in order at Ponce City Market’s Bar Vegan. Although Sunday is Funday, I’ve yet to find a Sunday brunch that outdoes my own.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt my mother, Karen Follins, who I lost during the Covid-19 pandemic, was my biggest supporter. From an early age, she fostered my love of the arts and always made sure my siblings and I were exposed to a world outside of ours. I’ve been crafting live experiences as far as I can remember. She was always there, taking tickets, writing checks when the expense budgets weren’t met, promoting and encouraging me when the road got rough. Whatever level of sucess I or any of my siblings achieve, will always be as a result of her support.

Website: www.avenueamedia.com

Instagram: aaronfollins

Linkedin: aaronfollins

Facebook: aaronfollins

Image Credits
Calvin Finklea Quinton Allen