Photos credit:@_kami_simmons
KISH: Tell us about you..
My name is Kami Simmons, and I am an award-winning multi-talented on-camera entertainment and lifestyle TV and radio host, content producer, media personality, and actress originally from Washington, D.C., and based in Atlanta, Georgia travels around the world. I currently work as a TV and radio personality, influencer, and producer with brands like First Class TV streaming TV network, Yahoo! Finance, xoNecole, Hits 92.3, 21 Ninety, and NoireTV (which has 2 TV channels, billions of viewership, and millions of social media impressions)—covering all things music, business, beauty, lifestyle, tech and what I call info-tainment (mixture of current news and entertainment). My bylines include BET, FOX, NBC, and iHeart Radio. I’m always looking to book interviews and advertisement opportunities to bring more eyes to people’s brands and businesses. When I’m not covering a red carpet, on the television screens, or writing articles, you can find me trying new recipes, dancing and working out, vlogging, and searching for the cutest clothing boutique spots in town.
I was born on the Southside of Chicago and raised in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., where I started working for the Obama White House on former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Policy Team.
Since the tender age of three, I have had an endless imagination. I would tape shows with my twin sister on our camcorder and “air” the VHS recordings to my family and friends at my Grandma’s house. This seed later grew into my career in the broadcast media, entertainment, and news industry.
I have worked with media and entertainment outlets such as xoNecole, iHeart Media, Hits 92.3, NBC and FOX News, BET Digital, ViacomCBS, TMZ, and FOX Soul, to name a few. I am also the host of a talk show titled “Trensetta Lounge” that highlights up-and-coming hustlers making it shake amongst many industries.
I demand the room and aim to inform and inspire my audience on entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle. My presence makes everyone stop and listen. I empower others to do the same through fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and inspiration. My light and star power shine from within and monumentally engage people on social media and in real life. I serve a personality-packed with authenticity, positive energy, flair, and insight across all media platforms.
I am a proud Lion, securing my Master of Science in journalism from Columbia University in New York City. I also earned my Bachelor of Arts degree at Kalamazoo College, where I studied Theatre, Media Studies, and Economics. While in Kalamazoo, Michigan, I interned for a local CBS station and hosted and produced my college radio show. Additionally, I am a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC).
When I’m off-screen covering a red carpet, or on the television screens, you can find me trying new recipes, dancing and working out, vlogging, and searching for the cutest clothing boutique spots in town.
Stay connected with me on social media.
TikTok/Instagram/Twitter: @_kami_simmons
YouTube: Kami Simmons TV
Facebook: @kamisimmonstv
Linkedin: Kami Simmons
Website: www.kamisimmons.com
KISH: What is your dream, and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?
Kami: I dream of continuing to be the top media mogul in TV/radio and media personality production in the media and entertainment space. I will continue this by putting in the work, and helping others as I continue to elevate, entertain inform, and inspire others to live out loud the life they aspire to live.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream?
Kami: Oprah Winfrey and many other media moguls inspired me to pursue this dream. She proved that I cannot limit myself and can be a TV entertainment journalist, actress, and producer.
KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream?
Kami: Throughout my television and entertainment industry, I experienced a few challenging experiences. Like many entering the business, I was told getting a job with a local news affiliate news station in a small town was the only way. For years veteran journalists told me not to go straight into a larger market too soon as it can backfire. I quickly saw a need after realizing the network I gained over the years and the endless jobs that continue to come across her Instagram DMs and emails. That’s one of the reasons why I officially launched the First Class Crew. With the mission to give my members direct access.
When I started my professional career, it was not too welcoming. I was expected to do everything from operating the camera, driving the news station car, editing, and shooting the footage while earning only $23,000 per year. During my 10-hour shift days, I was expected to shoot, write, edit, get a web article in, and repost my article online. No lunch breaks and unpaid overtime. A schedule typical of reporters at local TV stations,” according to the Columbia Journalism Review.
In most cases, I was one of the only Black women in the newsrooms I worked in. My job took a toll on my mental health. I was called to human resources almost weekly over “petty” wrongdoings. “I was getting written up and put on a PIP review with no action plan every 30 days.” I butted heads with the station manager and other company heads, who threatened to fire me. As a result, the toxic work environment led to depression and anxiety. I entered therapy and ultimately took a break from the industry.
Despite the challenges, I carved my own lane by creating digital content, which led to job opportunities with major media networks like xoNecole, Yahoo Finance, Hits 92.3, iHeart Radio, and more—covering stories from fashion, tech, and entertainment. When I was hired as ViacomCBS’ BET digital producer, I increased BET digital’s viewers by about 10,000 viewers over a 1-month period throughout their social media platforms.
I strongly recommend anyone thinking about or who is already creative to join the First Class Crew. Free content is provided on our Facebook group and YouTube channel. However, it is highly recommended for people to join the membership club at www.firstclasscrew.biz to get in-depth teaching, complete information, and insight on how to get into the media and entertainment industry in this new informational, social and digital era. It’s a challenging industry with no blueprint, but it’s not impossible. I love empowering people to embrace innovation and change. I believe having third-party tools, and resources like First Class Crew is essential.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered?
Kami: My mom, my family legacy, and other women and girls aspiring for greater purpose inspired me to keep pushing regardless of my challenges.
KISH: Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.
Kami: Some of my final thoughts and advice for others to dream:
Figure out who you are and what’s your why: sit down, write in a journal, and do some self-work to figure out who you are and what works for you.
Know haters are going to hate.
Know your worth, take criticism with a grain of salt, and use it accordingly.
Carve your lane and create your waive: be the innovator and add your sauce to the industry.
Use what you have around you to create your content and opportunities.
Be you!
Dream, pray, & execute!
Be consistent.
Overall, I want you to be encouraged, empowered, and know that anything is possible with the right resources, network, and timing. I want you to know it’s all about being ahead of the game, having the right resources and connections to get in the door and elevate. Overall, know that it will do its thing, and your dreams and destiny will happen.
