Meet Nsenga Burton, Ph.D.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nsenga Burton, Ph.D. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nsenga, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I decided to start my business because I noticed there was a need in the market for news that elevated global Black populations. I conducted a research study and found the same market was also home to emerging Black middle class populations in countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe, which meant advertisers would be interested. I wrote a business plan which won an award at NABJ that included seed funding ($5,000) and the rest is history. We’ve been successfully elevating stories from the Global Black Diaspora for over a decade.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a true multi-hyphenate. I am a writer, producer, content creator and influencer. My area of expertise is intersectionality (race, glass, gender and sexuality) and media. My work is activist-oriented and my goal is to always transform society through my writing, films, transmedia projects, podcasts and opinion writing, which is always told through the lens of history and is fact-based. The work that I do is not easy because you hear, “No,” ten times more than you hear, “Yes.” In order to succeed in any form of media, you need focus, grit, resiliency and perseverance. Whether I’m writing a book, curating content for my news site, consulting, editing someone else’s work, teaching a class or webinar, appearing on television as an expert or producing a podcast for a major international media company, these four qualities are needed to finish strong and in a way that makes stakeholders want more of what I have to offer. I believe I’m successful and continue to be successful because I understand the business side of media and art, make good decisions most of the time, have a reputation for producing high-quality content, have a network that extends beyond the profession and have passion for what I am doing which holds my interest. I also understand there is opportunity in every challenge I face so having a positive outlook helps to get through tough times.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My go to spot for guests is Bar Taco for great food and cocktails. I love breakfast so the Atlanta Breakfast Club, The Real Milk and Honey and the Flying Biscuit Cafe. For history buffs, I would definitely take them to the MLK Center, Hammonds House, Auburn Avenue and the AUC and if they go to church, Ebenezer or Cascade. We’d have to check out Busy Bee or Rosie’s or Marcus Bar & Grille while making our way through the West End to Edgewood Avenue and Auburn Avenue. I’m a nerd, so we’d have to check out an event at one of the public libraries. I love theater so we’d have to see what’s playing at the Alliance or Southwest Arts Center and check out some walkable spots to get steps in like Ponce City Market, Halidom Eatery Food Hall or the Collective Food Hall. If it’s a Thursday, then we’re definitely going to Chattahoochee Food Works for grub and to support the Black women entrepreneurs who hawk their wares there. I love live sporting events so I’m always down to take someone to a Braves, Falcons or Hawks game or a visit to the College Football Hall of Fame. I love live music and comedy so Kat’s or City Winery always fit the bill and if they love to dance, then Sound Table or Rock Steady works. If they came to visit today, then I would take them to the High Museum to see Tyler Mitchell’s outstanding collection and the Dean Collection or KAWO Studio to see the incredible work of Dr. Fahamu Pécou. There’s always something happening in Atlanta that is fun for people of all ages from the little ones to the parentals.

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?
My parents are unequivocally my role models for entrepreneurship. Both were first-generation college students who worked hard to finish undergrad and then graduated from law school. My Dad was an entrepreneur, running his own law firm for decades. My mother was entrepreneurial, always working on behalf of the community as an attorney and then opening up a tech company after retiring from law. I worked in my Dad’s office in the summer for years and with my mother as she literally transformed our neighborhood into a place that was safe and where people wanted to live, work, raise families and build community. When people compliment me on my activism and entrepreneurship, I always say, “I got it from my mama,” AND my Daddy (#GirlDad). I’m shouting out my parents Beverly and Earl Burton, who worked extremely hard to model entrepreneurship, self-determination, resiliency and the ability to serve the community while providing for your family.

Website: http://theburtonwire.com

Instagram: @TheBurtonWire

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/nsengaburton

Twitter: @Ntellectual or @TheBurtonWireNews

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

Image Credits
All credits – The Burton Wire Media Group