Meet Tonni “Pharoh” Fewell

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tonni “Pharoh” Fewell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tonni “Pharoh”, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

My confidence and self-esteem weren’t handed to me—they were forged through years of experience, adversity, and purpose.

Growing up, I watched my mother lead with strength and grace, raising three boys on her own. Her example taught me that confidence isn’t loud—it’s consistent. It’s showing up, even when the odds are stacked against you.

Over the years, I’ve learned to trust my instincts—whether I was navigating the music industry, leading quality initiatives in aerospace, or building Fewell Media from the ground up. Each chapter sharpened my voice and clarified my value. I stopped seeking validation from others and started honoring my own vision. Confidence came when I realized that my story, my perspective, and my purpose were not just worthy—they were necessary.

Now, I carry that self-belief into every room I enter, every project I lead, and every legacy I protect. It’s not ego—it’s alignment. I know who I am, and I know why I’m here.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the Founder and CEO of Fewell Media—a storytelling and creative hub that blends cultural relevance, thematic depth, and creative innovation across publishing, branding, and lifestyle content. My work sits at the intersection of operational excellence and artistic expression. I come from a background in aerospace and defense quality assurance, but I’ve always led with vision—whether I’m refining a supply chain or crafting a narrative that honors ancestral resilience. What excites me most is the power of story to transform, to preserve, and to inspire. Every project I touch—be it a book, a soap line, or a museum initiative—is rooted in legacy and built to last.

Fewell Media is expanding in bold ways. We recently launched Spiritual Essenze, a natural soap line inspired by wellness and Foundational Black American tradition. I also released my fifth and latest novel, The UnderPass 2: Quest of The Callisto, which marks a return to my personal and creative roots. And perhaps most meaningful of all, I’ve initiated the Delano Art and History Museum project—a space designed to celebrate community, culture, and creativity in a way that’s immersive and enduring

My brand isn’t just about products—it’s about purpose. It’s about honoring the past while building the future. I want people to feel something when they engage with my work: pride, reflection, empowerment. Fewell Media is for those who believe in the beauty of depth, the strength of story, and the legacy of resilience

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have shaped my journey more than anything: resilience, strategic storytelling, and operational discipline. Each one came from lived experience—not just study. Resilience was born from the struggles I had to endure at a young age, growing up in a rough environment, where nothing was handed to you and you had to be tough. It taught me to stand tall in the face of adversity and to keep moving, even when the path wasn’t clear. Strategic storytelling became my superpower—whether I was leading a branding campaign, writing a novel, or crafting messaging for aerospace quality systems. I learned that narrative isn’t just creative—it’s connective. And operational discipline gave me the structure to execute the vision with precision. From Lean Six Sigma to AS13001, I mastered the language of systems so I could build things that last.

For those just starting out, here’s my advice: First, cultivate resilience by embracing discomfort. Growth lives there. Second, learn to tell your story with clarity and conviction—your voice is your value. And third, don’t underestimate the power of structure. Whether you’re an artist or an analyst, systems will elevate your impact. Read, refine, and surround yourself with people who challenge you to level up.

Your journey won’t be linear—but if you lead with purpose, it will be powerful.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

One of the most pivotal books in my development is actually one I wrote—Mafiola: Magnum Opus. It’s more than a memoir; it’s a blueprint of survival, transformation, and purpose. Writing it forced me to revisit the raw truth of my beginnings—born into poverty in Kansas City, raised in Warrensburg, and shaped by a world that didn’t offer handouts. I had to hustle, adapt, and believe in something bigger than my circumstances. That process of reflection gave me clarity on how far I’d come and what it really took to get here

Some of the most impactful nuggets of wisdom from the book are:
• ‘Mindset is your first currency.’ Before I had resources, I had resolve. I learned to sharpen my thinking like a blade—focused, intentional, and unbreakable.
• ‘Stay true, even when the streets test you.’ Integrity isn’t situational. It’s the foundation that kept me grounded when everything around me was unstable.
• ‘Turn nothing into something—then build a legacy from it.’ I didn’t just want to escape the struggle; I wanted to transform it into something meaningful. That’s how Fewell Media, Spiritual Essenze, and the Delano Museum came to life.”

To anyone chasing their dream, especially from a place of disadvantage: your story is your strength. Don’t dilute it. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start where you are, use what you have, and build something that reflects your truth. Mafiola taught me that when you don’t give up, anything is possible—and that lesson continues to shape everything I do

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All images courtesy of Fewell Media in collaboration with Lens of Love Photography https://lensoflovephotographyks.mypixieset.com/

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