Meet GlenNeta Griffin | Chief Executive Officer

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

Hi GlenNeta, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The Georgia Media Academy is a collaboration of everything I’ve done over the past 22 years. I started out in communications, opened a photography studio, owned a public relations firm, worked in government, served as a reporter, trained corporations and government officials for media and I’ve written, directed and produced for Film and Television. I saw the struggles that others have had trying to break into the industry and wanted to create an easier way for those to gain insight on how the industry works and how to actually gain employment and build a career.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Georgia Media Academy is a Career and Professional Development Academy founded to help others build professional careers in media by connecting them with working media professionals. Our mission is to prepare aspiring talent for tomorrow’s media landscape by offering professional training in all things media. We offer professional training including classes, seminars, panel discussions and workshops featuring working professionals in the Media Industry. Our goal is also to bridge the gap through education for minorities to increase diversity and inclusion across all media platforms.

I am most proud of our talent. They are motivated and want to learn. They support our studio and programs which helps us stay on top. I am where I am today because of my dedication to my industry. I am a lifetime learner. The industry is constantly changing and it’s our job to stay on top of those changes. I am also still a working media professional. I am currently acting, writing, directing and producing multiple projects in the Film and Television industry. It helps that our clients see us working as we teach them.

The journey as not been easy. I left my government job over three years ago simply stepping out on faith. I built the entire company from the ground up and we’re still building. There’s so much more to do and release. I am a firm believer of the saying, “If you build it, they will come. If you build it, they will find you.” This has been true for me. I opened our new headquarters in Fayetteville, Georgia in 2019. A few months later, the pandemic hit. We kept working virtually and kept our clients motivated. We did what we could and it is paying off.

The lesson I’ve learned along the way is to never give up. If you get tired, rest, don’t quit. Pivot as many times as you need to. Change the plan, but never the goal. I want people to know that the Georgia Media Academy offers in-studio and virtual options to help all aspiring talent develop and reach their goals. We work with actors, filmmakers, guest experts, media personalities, screenwriters and more. If you’re ready for the next level, we’re here to help! Visit us at www.GeorgiaMediaAcademy.com.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, I would stop by the Georgia Media Academy first. I know, but it’s true. I like for my family and friends to see what my sacrifices have been for. Next, we would visit Ponce City Market. They have food, entertainment and history. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to visit as well as Centennial Olympic Park. We would also have to throw in The Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-cola. We would probably end with the SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel and a Hawaiian Rib Eye Steak from Houston’s.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout our entire Georgia Media Academy (GMA) family. Throughout the pandemic, our clients and talent remained connected and in classes, our instructors kept building trainings and our team helped us pivot to an online platform, which allowed us to take our training nationwide. I would also like to shoutout out my family. My husband, three kids, mother and sister have been amazing and supportive. They fill in where needed and are always supportive. The Southern Crescent Women in Business organization has also been supportive in keeping us in the limelight throughout the pandemic. I’m grateful to our entire tribe!

Website: www.GeorgiaMediaAcademy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamediaacademy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-media-academy

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gamediaacademy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GAMediaAcademy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6cV9ZYEXS3XWeqwFcgWag

Image Credits
GMA Studio Photographer- Benjamin Walker and MaKayla Clark