Content creators building brands across campus

By Pryce Jamison Staff Writer

While balancing commitments like academics, athletics, and work, there are students around campus who have built a significant media presence. Here are some media and entertainment moguls trying to find a niche across multiple platforms and reel in followers.

SOB

Starting as a group who, several months ago, barely knew each other, has grown into a media brand called SOB. The team, whose name stands for “Stands on Business,” includes senior music industry major Aquil Fletcher, junior business management major Jehiel Tomlinson, junior graphic design major Kavon Lewis, sophomore business management major Johan Abad-Mejia, and former Cabrini student Xavier Burgess.

“We combined our minds and decided to make a channel together where we can entertain people and also use it as therapy for us because college isn’t easy,” Tomlinson said. “Us making goofy, fun videos that also entertain other people keeps us sane — It makes sure we’re having fun with life in general and not just being workaholics.”

Using YouTube as their main platform, they are developing a channel with a variety of videos such as pranks, challenges, comedy skits, podcasts, and sporting activities.

“We’re all doing different roles, and at the same time everyone is doing something the same because everyone contributes to the team,” said Fletcher. They trade places as on-camera talent in one another’s content and give one another advice no matter their role.

Tomlinson is the organizer of the group and editor of content. He also oversees the business functions, ensuring deadlines are met on time and meetings are scheduled. Burgess’ role is controlling social media accounts, including TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter.

Fletcher is the connection finder and promoter, Lewis is the graphic designer and backup editor, and the team’s newest member, AbadMejia, is still looking for the right role.

“My biggest thing right now is to get the young Black creators uplifted. Us doing this is a lot of growth and is really different from this new generation,” said Burgess. “If we hit home with this new generation, they’re going to see something different — they’re not just going to want to try one content or trend, they’re going to want to pick up the camera and do what they like to do.”

The group has long-term expansion plans, such as growing into a clothing brand or producing a scripted TV show. As they build their channel, release more content, and expand their team, only time will tell where they can take their brand.

“SOB is a family; we all made this group not being the best of friends, but we’re a group of people that decided to share the same goals and the same mindset,” said Tomlinson.

Jahmeelah Ries, senior digital communication major, is a fashionbased content creator with a focus on sustainability and ethical value.

Going by the name Just Peachhhy, her media presence focuses on purchasing products from ethically-sourced clothing brands as well as promoting their creation.

Last year, after taking social media courses, Ries switched her Instagram account with 200 followers to a professional account. That’s when the spark was lit, and she began documenting sustainable outfits that she curated for the day and tagging those brands for possible collaboration.

“As I posted regularly, tagged brands, and created hashtags, my following began to grow very rapidly,” Ries said. “I’m at about 6,300 followers now on Instagram, and that has grown within a year, which is such a blessing; it’s so crazy to think there are 6,000-plus people that like my content.”