Meet Kathy Lofton

We were lucky to catch up with Kathy Lofton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kathy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Over the course of both my collegiate and job careers, I found myself being the only African American– and sometimes the only female– in the room on many occasions. For instance, I took a couple of undergraduate college classes where I was the only Black. Success for me was defined as simply sticking it out and not giving in to instances of racism or condescending treatment. This was received from fellow students and even professors.

I ended up in other respective rooms usually because I took a path less traveled in the name of curiosity or progress. In a few cases, I was invited into rooms. Sometimes it was by happenstance. From a spiritual perspective, happenstance is tantamount to divine assignment. God placed me there with a purpose or mission.

My older cousin, a former state senator, once told me to walk into a room as if I owned it. That advice works to my advantage when no one else is there who looks like me. Confidence, knowledge,  professionalism, and self-awareness can often diffuse the opposition.

In situations where the room was male-dominated, like when I led an automation project for a global company, my effectiveness came from “knowing my stuff” more than the guys did. As a female,  I had to work harder to prove myself. That is compounded when you are a DOUBLE minority. So, being prepared, putting in extra hours sometimes, being knowledgeable as a result of researching or testing something, listening to others and moving in accordance to what I heard, proactively learning a thing, and not being afraid to exercise my voice– even if an unpopular view– has generally culminated in either becoming a standout or gaining respect.

Next, I would say my ability to communicate well in writing and orally has been an extremely effective personal branding tool. I am a stickler for wielding a good command of the “king’s english” in professional and/or public settings. Some folks call it talking “proper” when you’re Black. Not at all. It’s merely speaking correctly and “code switching” to an audience as needed.

I took my honors english classes in high school pretty seriously. Having worked in roles where strong writing and speaking skills were required additionally helped me to improve my language skills. Communication is equivalent to a personal billboard or calling card, in my opinion. Being made fun of many years ago by non-melanated people in other geographic regions, for my previously bad southern drawl, served as a motivator. I was taken more seriously when my speech and articulation improved, not to mention my dialect.

Articulating with confidence, good diction, and having an extensive vocabulary has always been a plus for me. It allows me to easily converse within rooms and circles that would be considered by some to be out of my league.

For example, when I go to my doctors and clinicians they are overwhelmed at the medical and pharmaceutical knowledge I have. This is especially the case with physicians who are not of color. Just a few months ago, I visited a new specialist for some tests in Mississippi. One of the assistants stared long and hard while the doctor asked what I did for a living and where I went to school. It’s interesting how you get that as a Black person when you speak a certain way or display breadth of knowledge.

As an African American living in the Mid-South, I know that the average person in my diaspora is not conversant on radiology, anatomy, procedures, prescription uses, etc. Therefore, it is intriguing [I guess] when medical professionals hear me intelligently and accurately describing or discussing a health complaint, requesting specific tests, or asking about a potential diagnosis. When I tell my docs I’ve come in to “rule X out,” that is not the norm for a patient of any color. I am very participatory in my own health care and proactive at finding solutions when my health is challenged. Oh, I worked in a healthcare setting in my 20s, too. I don’t share or explain that though. I let people wonder, and not disclosing that puts the onus on providers to give good care without bias.

The biggest success strength I have is being a strong networker and relationship builder. I have a natural ability to resonate with others through storytelling or identifying a common thread with someone just about everywhere I go. One of my supervisor’s labeled me as a WOO (winning others over) personality. Bringing up a certain social, news, or business topic to which others in a room can relate as well as expressing a unique point of view generally helps me to develop relationships, gain attention, or open a door to an opportunity(ies).

Overall, I feel I break stereotypes and negative perceptions of people of color– or even being a female (I have worked for a sexist manager in the past) by simply reflecting my education (via book and street smarts), intelligence, integrity, character, exposure, being cultured, and speaking in ways that are not expected. I love being under-estimated. Lol. It feels good to prove others wrong about my gender or melanin.

I once told someone that in order to know what “they” know, you must go where “they” go. So, I do. “They” speaks to a variety of others who are different from me, but mainly white people. That gives me a strong advantage when I end up in “their” events or meetings. Only being around people who look like me limits my perspective, social IQ, and mental IQ.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a corporate professional who transitioned into a career of public service and social impact work. I’ve been employed in several industries with well-known companies/organizations in the fields of education, transportation, the non-profit space, and the public sector, just to name a few. I’ve found that utilizing my master’s of public administration degree (MPA) is more fulfilling than my executive MBA. The reason is I am really driven by people and making a difference. The reward is intrinsic. Sometimes that is as good– if not better– than money.

Filmmaking and photography are my passion side-gigs. I am a producer, director, and writer in the indie film arena. I used to also work on editorial assignment for a magazine published for women of color. My photography hobby eventually led me to put up a formal shingle over 10 years ago. Then in 2015, that creativity morphed into making films. That came about due to my parental caregiving experience and the personal stories shared with me by others in the same predicament.

My very first documentary feature won a category at the 2016 Indie Memphis Film Festival. I was so surpised, and definitely thrilled. I’m waiting on that “big break” to do something more on those fronts and currently working on projects to foster that outcome.

In 2023, I was ecstatic to be hired to do the movie casting for a newly-created production company in Memphis. I am hyped that this film, along with another feature I executive produced, are both to be released in 2024! A New York-based director’s docu-series, for which I am an associate producer, is still in the pitching phase to networks. Acting is also something I delve into from time-to-time. I’ll be a supporting cast member in an impending feature going into production later in 2024.

Being a National Urban Fellow and also an AmeriCorps alumni are two things I’m really proud of. I became an AmeriCorps member as a result of re-entering the workforce after my personal hiatus from family caregiving and settling my dad’s estate affairs. Addressing some personal health issues I’d put on the back burner also became a priority. I’d spent nearly 8 years as the primary caregiver of my dad, who transitioned in fall of 2020, and I only worked intermittenly during those years. So, I was ready to engage livelihood again when I was unexpectedly approached with an awesome opportunity with Lead for America (LFA).

As a 2022 AmeriCorps member with Lead for America, I developed and delivered digital literacy and lap top device curriculum to African American seniors residing in under-served areas of Memphis. This was via my placement with the non profit Innovate Memphis. My successful performance and social impact prompted LFA to request my talent after graduation. I now support them remotely as a team leader and special projects coordinator.

I still freelance on a part-time basis with my Lofton Media business, a sole proprietorship. It is my goal to grow this business into one that is full-time and on a larger scale. Experiencing working in TV, working with a studio, getting an original show on a streaming platform, and getting one of my scripts sold or produced are all a part of my “dreams” list.

The summer of 2023, I spoke in front of a national audience in Washington, DC as a STAND speaker (similar to a TedX talk) at my AmeriCorps graduation. The year ended on a very good note. In the fall, I was inducted into Marquis’ ‘Who’s Who in America’ and also had an experimental short to win a category at a Paris, France indie film festival. Christmas came with an invitation to submit one of my films as part of an interactive, media global holiday treasure hunt sponsored by Mad Lab Entertainment.

For the 2024 MLK National Day of Service, I curated an awesome event for my senior citizens who graduated from my digital literacy program. The event was an extension of their technology education. I coined it the ‘Digital Freedom Ride,’ themed after the 1961 Freedom Rides of the Civil Rights Era. This activity aligned with Memphis’ National Civil Rights Museum’s MLK Day theme of “Progress Moves Us Forward.” My seniors came from an era where riding at the back of the bus or being barred from the places we visited on January 11, 2024 were existent. I was able to afford them an experience of seeing things they never have before, not to mention learning about modern technology uses in business, higher education, and our local library system.

I achieved this via a bus ride and tour hosted by three notable places in Memphis that utilize technology and shaped my city’s history. The sites with which I partnered for the Digital Freedom Ride tour were: FedEx Customer Experience, University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Center for Health Improvement and Patient Simulation (CHIPS), and Memphis’ first public library and museum opened in the 1800s, the newly-renovated Cossitt Library located downtown. This particular library also has historic significance to the Civil Rights Movement.

Part two of my MLK activities was participating in a great interview with my LFA Executive Director, Taylor Stuckert. This was done for none other than StoryCorps/NPR. Omg! I’ve listened to StoryCorps for over 20 years and always dreamed of being a guest. I jumped at the chance when I learned they were coming to Memphis.

Reaching out to introduce myself, share what I do, why, and for whom, caught their attention in a big way. I “accidentally” ended up creating a partnership with StoryCorps and LFA to provide stories about LFA’s community work in Memphis and nationally. What serendipity! Our audio will soon be available in the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, and the Natural Museum of African American History in DC. To boot, I was invited by StoryCorps to discuss potentially supporting an impending project involving HBCUs. I can’t wait until that is in motion!

Now that I’ve slowed down a little over winter break, I am serving on the National Urban Fellows alumni committee. The task is reviewing and evaluating candidate applications for the program’s upcoming class at Georgetown Univerity’s McCourt School of Public Policy. That was preceeded by the rewarding experience of serving as a judge for the Miss Black Tennessee USA pageant. And guess what? I am a cast member in an upcoming commerical that was shot in January that will be aired during the Super Bowl!

Finally, I am privately working on plans for a new niche of business for Lofton Media and developing the idea and treatment for a health-related DVD I’d like to produce and market. I’m also preparing for a second, new small business.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that are most impactful in your journey are:

1. Being able to improvise, pivot, problemsolve, and adapt in different situations. I learned to do this from lifeexperiences during my upbringing. Undergoing periods of adversity then were beneficial lessons later on in life.
2. A solid education right out of the gate.The attention given to me by my teachers and the strong accompanying academics from pre-school (a private, parochial school) and public school through grade 12 prepared me for the real world.
3. Your belief system. My spirituality/faith, desire to help others, and always being concernedfor the vulnerable and less fortunate has been part of my persona since childhood. I am intimately and keenly able to relate to and understand others’ challenges. I consider myself an empath.

My advice to folks who are in their early journey are to:

1. Be forward-thinking; make decisions and create strategy(ies) for the long-term, not just for the moment.
2. Make God an inherent part of your business or life plans.
3. Be proactive in your own success; don’t wait on others to jump start it. Seek, identify, and execute with the end in mind.
4. Know that failure is part of the process. All the GOATShave stumbled or fallen during the process of excelling. Trust the process. Keep going.

And;

5. Understand there are no real excuses. You can do anything that you are intentional about.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
You can reach me at [email protected]. I am always looking to be mentored by experts in the film and media field. I would love to collaborate on projects that include, but are not limited to:

1. Getting a contract-for-hire to produce multimedia (I have capacity through community partners.)
2. Script writing labs to help with my aspiringscreenplaydevelopment and production goals.
3. The opportunity to pitch my contentideas to producers in television, streaming platforms, theatrical studios, orother media outlets. I ideate and dream big!
4. Opportunities to do professionalvoice over work.
5. Assistancewith securing an agent for my acting, wish to do print modeling for skin and teeth, and public speaking.
6. Contracting with organizations thatneed a digital equity and inclusion specialist.

You can also connect with me via the platforms below:

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kathyolofton.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lofton_media
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kathyolofton

Image Credits
Kathy O. Lofton