and Chairman of The Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame. Read Our Exclusive Interview With Dr. Janice McLean DeLoatch

Q: What was your first job? How did it shape or impact you?

JMD: My first job was working at my family’s restaurant - McLean’s Carry Out & Restaurant. My job was to fill the potato chip and soda racks. My niece and I did this every summer from about 7-11 years of age. I watched my mother, father, grandmother, aunts, cousins, and neighbors in the community come together to support this local community restaurant and store.

Our restaurant was the only neighborhood restaurant, carry out and store within a 20 mile radius. My mother, father and cousins always felt it was important to invest in the community and people. There were days when this was not easy and there were many moments where you can never imagine the impact and difference you can make in your community if you just try. When no one else wanted to support the community, my family did. They would give people food on credit (as this was not a very wealthy area), donate dinners to local churches and businesses and give some of the kids in the neighborhood summer jobs.

I learned first-hand about role models that looked like me. I learned that we don’t have to always wait for someone to fix our situation, that we can also help fix our lives too!

My mother and father were my first role models. They showed me that if you work hard, strive for your dreams and goals even when you get knocked down that if you are persistent you will achieve your dream and you can make a difference for yourselves and others right where you are.

To this day, every now and then when I see old neighbors, friends of my family and our family business they always tell me how much my family meant to their lives.

Nothing to me can replace this feeling of meaningful relationships and making a difference for the good of others. This has been the impact.

Q: For those in our audience not familiar with your TV show, “The Entrepreneurs Edge” tell us about it.

JMD: Entrepreneurs Edge Tv was a tv show that was started in 2000 out of my search to find answers to help support and grow my pantyhose vending machine. I was looking for funding to pay for having the vending machines made, manufacturing products, etc. and never could really find resources or funding that could help business startups really starting up from the ground floor with no money, team, etc.

I started doing interviews with businesspeople who would share their stories about overcoming obstacles and becoming really good at it. So, my ex-husband and I created a television show that would address some of the hurdles and obstacles that entrepreneurs and small business owners faced. This was before The Apprentice, Shark Tank, Undercover Boss and The Profit.

Do I believe my television show along with a handful of other small business shows that were around at the time set precedent for what we see today in television programming related to business?

ABSOLUTELY! At least that is what I like to think anyway. Smile here

Q: What are some of the topics you cover on your radio show Its Janice?

JMD: Some topics include Business Basics for Startups, Tools for Entrepreneurs (Accountants, Attorneys, Bank Relationships), Navigating Social Media to promote your business, B2B Relationships and how they can help your business succeed and Import/Exporting through departments of commerce, to name a few.

Q: How did the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame start?

JMD: Women Songwriters Hall of Fame began with research for Its Janice Radio. Its Janice Radio Show focuses on women, business, and community. In 2020, I was working with my segment coordinator on statistics for the women in music. When review- ing the statistics for how women fare in several areas of the music business and after looking at some of The Annenberg Center report about women in business it seems we both came up with the same conclusion.

Women have lagged behind their male counterparts in almost every area within the music industry ranking at 7.7%. within the music industry. In some instances, the women who have been acknowledged for their work were acknowledged twice. Not really sure about the logic behind those who have been acknowledged twice in some areas, but the more I thought on this, the more it became clear there should be a way to acknowledge Women in Music.

Partnering with women who understand why supporting and healing women in one area helps women and communities in other areas and a way to raise funding for scholarships that will enable women to pursue education and career goals through music.

One main point to clarify is that the mission of Women Songwriters Hall of Fame is not to bash men, music industry or other organizations. Solely our purpose is to be of help to women, music, and the world as a whole.

Q: Can the general public become a member of the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame? What are some of the member benefits?

JMD: Yes - Women Songwriters Hall of Fame is open to the general public and seeking new members. You can select membership at our websitewww.womensongwritershalloffame. org

Women Songwriters Hall of Fame is new, exciting, and building what we hope will be the next great organization in music. Currently, there are three levels of membership, Basic

$50, Premium $100 and Platinum $250.

When asked why some of our membership options may cost more than other organizations. Simply the answer is we have not had 50 years to grow and WSHOF memberships WILL include some or all of the following types of benefits that other organizations may/may not offer such as: (see below), but in addition - Women Songwriters Hall of Fame is working to bring back FUN in creating and celebrating music and women!!!

Discounted/Free Tickets to Award Show

Discounted/Free Master Classes with Industry Professionals

Discounted Instruments

Discounted Music Lessons

Travel Club - AAA

Complimentary Breakfast

Discounted Hotel Fees

Swag Bags

T-Shirts

Hats

Q: You’re also an Author. Can you share with our audience some of the topics you’ve written about?

JMD: So far - I have written one book - “The Autobiography of an Entrepreneur.” This book is a combination of personal business experience learned from my family and other entrepreneurs. Personal hurdles made in pursuit of fulfilling my dreams and even tribulations because of my dream. Tips and advice from Business thought leaders such as Magic Johnson, Ariana Huffington, Vint Cerf, Daymond John, Marcus Lemonis, and Bethenny Frenkel to name a few. As well as other celebrities and entertainers.

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue their dream and start a business?

JMD: I would tell them to TOTALLY GO FOR IT!!! We all have something to offer in different areas. But first, find mentors who can give you important guidance from the start. It may save time, money, and mental exhaustion from reinventing the wheel when someone who already has the roadmap can give you a head start.

Q: Were there moments in your career that were pivotal to getting where you are today?

JMD: Sure - Meeting Deloris Jordan (Yes - that one), mother to basketball great - Michael Jordan and Donda West (Yes - that one), mother to well depends on which day it is and how we feelKanye West.

I was going through divorce and was really at a low point when I met Deloris Jordan on Capitol Hill where I was doing the Entrepreneurs Edge Tv Show. The love she showed me and inspiring words of wisdom to go after my dreams and goals and never quit until I get where I want to go despite all obstacles always stuck with me. Donda West really was an amazing woman and she too showed me such kindness and love and also imparted words of wisdom to always strive for what makes me happy. It is easy to understand how Kanye can feel out of sorts with her absence. She truly was a remarkable lady! Both of these women I always say are the surrogate mothers sent to help me find my way and continue the journey of allowing me to give back to young women and older women. To let them know that no matter what age we areNEVER FORGET TO KEEP DREAMING AND STRIVING FOR YOUR GOALS.

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?

JMD: Yes - I answer my emails, voicemails, regular mail, and phone calls at crazy times of the night and early morning. It is one of the ways I keep up. But I am also really good at strategy planning (so I can have balance in my life) and delegating to the few volunteers that help me currently.

Q: What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your success?

JMD: LOVE!

I just recently realized through the pandemic - era ughhhh! that Love drives everything I have ever done. Either because I don’t want to be inconvenienced or anyone else to be inconvenienced. Love is what inspires me to create businesses and resolutions that help me and others.

Q: Which woman inspires you and why?

JMD: ALL WOMEN. But In particular - My mom who is deceased nowFannie Bell McLean.

My mother embodied and exemplified a woman of such depth. So many lessons, so little time with her. She is always in my heart! I love you Mom!

Our Exclusive Interview with Influencer

Kim Ford

Kim Ford Is A Keynote Speaker, TV Host & Media Consultant. She Has Appeared On CNN As An Entertainment Correspondent Where She Shares Her Take on What’s Relevant in Film, Television, & Celebrity News.

Q: After college, where did you feel your career path would take you?

KF: Honestly, I wasn’t really sure. All I knew was I wanted to live in Atlanta. I knew I’d figure it out when I got there. It took a while, but I finally figured it out.

Q: What was your first job? And how did it shape or impact you?

KF: My jobs after college were random and all over the place. I first worked at Macy’s in the handbag department until I locked in a “real” job after college. After Macy’s I entered the Management Trainee program at Enterprise Car Rental. Working there taught me a lot about owning a business, sales calls, and teamwork. The hours were long and sometimes I had to wash cars in my suit. I hated it back then. Now I understand the lesson was to get the job done no matter how uncomfortable I was. That’s a skill I use today.

Q: Can you share with our audience some details about your role as a CNN/Headline News entertainment contributor?

KF: I appear as a guest Entertainment Contributor on CNN/HLN to give my take on what is relevant regarding film and television. Typically, when there is a special segment.

Q: In March 2019 you were accepted into AAFCA (African American Film Critics Association). Can you tell us what it meant to you?

KF: AAFCA isn’t an award. It’s the world’s largest organization of

African American film critics. Being accepted as a member meant a lot because we get access to the team and talent behind films that mean the most to our culture.

Q: Tell us about Jubilee Mag, how it started and where you see it going.

KF: Jubilee Mag was an online mag I started in 2007 that covered faith, culture, and style. I created it because I saw a void in the industry for positive media. I built my own website and gained access to events like the BET Awards, Essence Fest and countless press junkets affiliated with NBC, CBS, Sony, Warner Bros, and many others.

In March 2020, the growth of my audience led to me to leave Jubilee Mag behind and evolve from just an online magazine. My audience wanted more of me as a personal brand instead of a magazine. As a result, I launched iamkimford.com covering entertainment, personal development, and lifestyle.

Q: You must keep a hectic schedule between speaking engagements and TV commitments. How do you maintain a healthy work life balance?

KF: It’s all about prioritizing. The commitments my children have come first. I schedule everything else around that. My kids are older, so that makes it a lot easier.

Q: What’s the greatest fear you’ve had to overcome to get where you are today?

KF: Since I didn’t study media in college, I was concerned about what I didn’t know that should know. I’m in grad school now, but for many years it was a concern in the back of my mind. It’s definitely possible to do it without grad school, but it was a personal goal of mine.

Q: Which woman inspires you and why?

KF: It’s hard to narrow it down to one woman. There’s definitely a village of women I admire for various reasons. A few are: Oprah, for obvious reasons. Myleik Teel for her entrepreneurial journey. J Lo because she’s been timeless for decades.

Q: What are some of the challenges you feel women face today?

KF: I’m actually writing a book about that right now. It’s called “It’s Never Too Late”, releasing late summer 2020. A lot of women think just because they’ve had major setbacks, it’s too late to pursue their dream life. If God called you to it, “It’s Never Too Late”.

Q: What is one word of advice you can offer to young women who want to reach your level of success?

KF: Do your research. Pay attention to the greats. Find your lane and dominate.