Meet Micheline Bowman | Founder, Bowman Media Group, LLC

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

Hi Micheline, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After 27 years working in the television news industry, I was told my position was going to be eliminated due to the company reorganizing. That was in 2017. I already knew that year, I no longer wanted to be there and prayed to God on my daily drive to work. I had literally given all I had and there wasn’t anymore growth “they” were going to give me. When they called me into the office to tell me it was literally a weight lifted because I knew that something bigger ahead. I still can hear the words “We are eliminating your position.” I said right then, “Your elimination is God’s elevation!” Everything in my life since that date has been amazing. I’m at that time over 50 and the likelihood of someone hiring me was slim, so I hired myself and started my own Media Relations company.

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.
I am the Founder of Bowman Media Group, LLC with the tag line ” Are You Ready To Be Seen?” I focus on Media Relations as I’m a Media Professional with now over 30 years in the television news industry. I’m most proud of being able to turn a job position elimination into a thriving professional celebration. My background to getting here could seriously be in a book.

Short version: At the age of 12 I knew I wanted got attend Morgan State University. I lived in New Jersey at the time, but would spend summers in Baltimore. Morgan State was my half way meeting point for me to meet my cousin. It was the energy I felt as a child when I was on that campus.

In 1982 the military relocated my mom to California and I asked to live with my dad in Baltimore. At the time you needed 2 years to be considered an in state resident for college. I graduated high school in 1984, applied to Morgan and graduated in 1988 Oh and let me say I paid for all 4 year myself, and let me add my biggest push to be successful. I got pregnant my senior year and while registering for classes at 8 months pregnant, several professors told me to sit out a semester, would I be able to balance a baby my last year of school? Well I proved them wrong and showed myself I could. Not only did I….I gave birth to my son on September 22, 1987 and 2 weeks later was back to school and back to work, took 21 credits that semester and ended up with a 3.9 GPA and yes I graduated on time in 4 years. Yesssss my “4 out the door” time frame. I was on fire to show that nothing was going to slow me down unless I slowed myself down. I made a vow to myself that I would be working in my major within a year. I received a call from WTTG, Fox 5 in Washington, D.C. and my career started in October of 1989 until May of 2017 at that station. For 27 years I made my mark bringing countless “first” to the station. Far too many to name but my mark continues to be felt and seen on the air.

It definitely was a challenge as the world in my opinion gets a narrow view of news and when you are a black female in a male dominated industry, the view gets even smaller. I didn’t sit back an allow a “stereotype” of a person to represent people of color. I found myself being the voice in the newsroom advocating that news had to be fair and balanced and show the good stories as well. I spoke up on stories and pushed for those that were positive. I worked with the team that started the first morning news show in D.C. I used my personal influence to invite guests on the show from all walks of life. From authors to athletes, entertainers to politicians, celebrities, actors, chefs, dancers, doctors and more. If there was a story or topic…I wanted to highlight the diversity in those areas as I was connected to them as my white coworkers were connected to those in their circle.

I’ve learned and continue to learn that television news needs positive voices and people of color in management positions. In my 27 year career there were only 3 black Assistant News Directors. Every News Director was a white man or woman and the General Manager was a white man. I still believe that having diversity at the top level would trickle down to more diversity on other levels. I would often come across those who would say, ” I don’t like Fox News” and I would use my personal saying. “Same parents…different kids!” Just as you may not like your siblings…we don’t all like ours either. LOL. Fox 5 is the local station and Fox News the national network.

What I want most is for people to look back over my television career and see the accomplishments that I’ve made and the forever connections that have happened because of me. In the DMV (DC, Maryland, & Virginia) area, many people know of me because I was the “gate opener” for so many people to have a first time getting on television for something positive as well as the exclusive news stories. I started many first and although I’m no longer there, I’m now able to book my clients on that station as well as any of the news television stations locally or nationally and I do. My brand is doing exactly what I ask of each client I work with…”Are You Ready To Be Seen?”

My story and brand continues to be on fire each day for my clients and for myself as I am currently a Beauty Ambassador for a skincare line for women of color over 40 called IKnow Skincare, a Luxury Women’s Handbag Company, Nila Bags and the Tourism Ambassador for Experience Prince George’s. I’m a sought after host and speaker and balancing life with a smile. I turn 57 on November 19th and life is truly amazing! So this is just a glimpse of Micheline Bowman the Media Maven and Founder of Bowman Media Group, LLC and Micheline Bowman the Emcee, Host and Brand Ambassador.

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’m the Tourism Ambassador for the county I live in. (Prince George’s). Depending on the season there is always something going on. For now I will just use Fall as it’s my favorite season. Oooo this isn’t fair as there are lots of places and I don’t want to leave anyone out.

First let me say Prince George’s County is a suburb outside of DC and we call this area the DMV so we’d hit places in DC, MD and VA for all things food, drinks and fun.

I love to cook so breakfast would definitely be at home.
When I do want coffee I’m heading to PJ’s Coffee for a cup and their delicious beignets.
There are waaaay to many restaurants in the area to name so depending on what we are in the mood for taste wise…the area has you covered from all backgrounds of flavor.
Sugar and sweets I go to The Dessert Junkie and Cake Batter and Co. in Bowie, MD (OMG incredible)
The National Harbor is a cool location for unique shopping, dinning and hanging out. (it’s on the water so you can even take a ride on the Ferris Wheel that overlooks everything) They have a HUGE movie screen that shows movies and you bring your chair and enjoy. They also have “Paint and Sips” that are very popular and a location where you can also paint and personalize your sneakers. 🙂
The MGM – Felt Lounge great vibe for drinks with live music and if you want to gamble its a casino (I don’t gamble)
I love farmers markets in the fall to get fresh produce for me to cook
The Gaylord National Hotel as they generally have great events happening all year
Prince George’s County is rich in history/culture so I would definitely visit a few
DC is also full of things to visit from museums to the monuments and they have great tours and yes delicious restaurants.
At night the DMV area comes alive 7 days a week for all things music, arts, concerts, karaoke, sports games and more.
My friend Comedian, TV Host, Joe Clair has a Comedy Show “Bangin’ In Bowie” that brings in the who’s who in the comedy world so I would see who is in town and go get some laughs in.
I do PR for Bethesda Theater and music artist are in town every week performing (www.bethesdatheater.com) so I would definitely check them out.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my journey in life to so many and first thank God that he has his finger on everything I do. This is such a difficult question to answer as so many people have been involved supporting and encouraging me over the decades of my life. I definitely must say it’s love from my parents (both deceased), an unbreakable bond with my “Bonus Mom”, love from my children, various family, many dear friends, and some of my awesome Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. one specifically, Germaine Bolds-Leftridge (she is one incredible BOSS sister I deeply respect and admire). I could go on naming people but I better stop there! 🙂

Website: www.bowmanmediagroup.com

Instagram: @michelinebowman @bmgnow1

Linkedin: Micheline Bowman

Facebook: Micheline Bowman

Image Credits
The one with me in tan shirt holding hand up with skincare product Credit- Roy Cox Photography