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

Hi Curtis, how does your business help the community?
African Americans as well as most people of color are grossly under-represented in mainstream media. Head Nerds In Charge seeks to bridge that gap and bring more representation to media by giving a platform to marginalized people who normally would not have a chance to showcase their content to a larger audience. Within our business we educate our clients on branding, show production, promotion, how to monetize their platform and build multiple revenue streams. We also help them acquire bookings, live performances, and sponsorship. We support creatives by giving them an amplified voice on our network to share stories and content that directly affect their community. Empowering our communities with the voices of the people is paramount for our mission.

Our bushido states: Head Nerds In Charge seeks to build a platform that endorses the promotion and proliferation of talented Black and POC creatives. Giving a voice to the voiceless and bringing to light the topics, issues and stories of our culture.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Head Nerds In Charge (HNIC) is Philadelphia’s premiere #1 Geek talk web-show reaching over 50 million people in 2021 alone. We focus on giving a platform to the underserved content creators, curators, and artists with a focus on people of color.

HNIC is leading the culture by addressing the need for more African-Americans and POC in mainstream media. With over 350 thousand fans and partnering with business affiliates and local non-profits, HNIC is affecting their communities both at home and abroad. Our community outreach programs help to bring Superhero cosplayers to children’s hospitals and shelters. We address gun violence, community issues and speak at events to help heal our community as we assist in repairing its relationship with law enforcement.

I’m most proud that we’ve recently opened our first studio which serves as a creative hub inside the beautiful facilities at Billy Penn Studios 1516 N Fifth street Phila pa 19122. We’ve already begun to host live events for creatives helping them to get stage experience, recording podcast sessions, filming content and engaging our network in ways we never imagined possible.

In our 4-year journey we have had to overcome many obstacles both personal and professional. Building a platform and creating engaging content is not an easy process for most. As novices with no formal training or education in our art, we are proof positive that hard work, dedication to your craft, and building a network that can help you reach to goals you set for yourself is preponderant for success.

As Philadelphia natives we all wear an underdog chip on our shoulder. You can blame the Rocky franchise for that one. Quitting is not in our DNA, we are unwavering in our resolve to see our mission through to fruition. Representation matters and we are tired of how people who look like us are portrayed in media. We are just as quirky, complicated and nuanced as every other culture. We are “awkward black girls”, “Insecure”, some of us are “Black-ish” but all of us have skin in “The Game”. Whether we are from “The Chi”, “Harlem” or “Atlanta” our diversity shines thru. Some have that “Queen Sugar” while others have no issue flexing their “Power”.

We are tired of the “The Games People Play” and tweeting “Dear White People” “This is Us” and long gone are your “Wonder Years”. We have active fathers who are “Raising Dion”, not every sister works in “P-Valley” but even if she does, we don’t shame sex workers. We are “Woke” and we will “Cherish The Day” when we “All Rise” both “Saints and Sinners” and black representation evolves and matures into something a bit more….”Grown-ish”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Philadelphia is rich in both history and culture, there is a multitude of attractions to satisfy any tourist visiting city. I won’t give a long list of things to do because your mission is a simple one. Visit the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Art Museum, get the kids a Wooter Ice (Yes i spelled that correctly) Philly pretzel and spend the day at the Franklin Institute.

Before you go make sure you grab a cheesesteak from a Philly approved steak shop. Ishkabibbles, Dalessandro’s or my personal favorite Maxx’s (but do not go down there without an escort). Oh, and always remember proper cheesesteak ordering etiquette. Never get wiz, saltpepperketchup is all one word, and get fried onions with extra cheese on that jawn.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Head Nerds In Charge is comprised of some of the most talented and dedicated creatives I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Every week they show up and show our on live Wednesday web-show. Their hard work and effort both on camera and off camera is the reason why Head Nerds In Charge is Philadelphia’s #1 Geek web-show.

Adot, Oni Sassy, Teffy Wonder, Foxy Roxy, J-Rich, Lovely the Gawdess, Shanae, Luna Chibifox, Quency B Drawn, LJ Pheonix, Ron Starr, Brett Hilleshim (Inde Comix Dispatch), Jamal Purvis and Bobby Cheas Journey all comprise our core team of creatives that lend support on a daily basis to help our platform grow.

Our affiliates also play a major role with their support and mentorship. Don Jackson & Hameen Diggins (Urban Navigation), Stephen Jackson (Transruptic), Eric “The Smoke’ Moran (Mentor), Shannon “Big Exclusive” Reynolds (Big E entertainment), Steven Joiner (SJ Network), Demetrius Holt (Cosplay Personality), Corey Camp & Jimmy Williams (Buy the Hood) and the entire family at Metro Esports and Gaming Lounge.

We would not be where we are without the continued support of our fanbase, we don’t even consider them fans. We refer to our supporters as cousins because the community we’ve built has truly become a family. We love our family, and we do our best to represent them every day in our art and actions.

Website: headnerdsincharge.com

Instagram: https://linktr.ee/headnerdsincharge

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.