Mz Coffee is the Operations Manager, Program Director, and an On-Air Personality for SpiltMilk Radio WSPM-DB. This Urban-AC talent decided to do radio with a primary focus of not only women in radio but mothers of the world.
“The way I came into radio was not a direct path at all.” Mz.Coffee shares. She was first working in the engineering and design field, had PR/ Media and marketing experience from working with the Marketing Department at Fueled by Ramen Records doing artist/tour promotions. From there, she started writing for Beyond Race Magazine in Brooklyn NY. BRM is the magazine that gave J.Cole his first Cover when he started his career as an artist. “From there I got promoted to the Hip Hop Editor of the Magazine, and soon after that I started a family and gave birth to a set of fraternal boy/girl twins. Becoming a mother really shifted my focus, I wanted to work but it was important to keep my work family-centered so I turned down a lot of media offers.”
Coffee then decided to do radio with a twist. “Through my work with families and supporting births and breastfeeding both in person and virtually across the country, I saw that there was a huge need for information transfer. I believe that knowledge is protection, and It’s no secret that there are some serious health disparities that exist across the diaspora. For example, the Maternal Mortality Rate as a birth worker, and knowing the statistics on the overall survival rate of Black moms and babies.” With a true passion for radio, she wanted to find a way to support a larger audience, and reach more people. Then, Covid-19 pandemic created an even greater need for reliable information and resources in the community.” I knew that meeting people where they are, is the best way to share information. I saw a window where I could marry my industry experience with my birth work experience and create a resource for listeners that speaks to the lifestyle. People come away from my show entertained, uplifted, or educated. That is the purpose.”
So, what advice does Mz.Coffee leave for her younger self and fellow women in radio? “My advice is to create your opportunities, don’t be afraid to go for it. In my personal experience, a lot of opportunities in the industry don’t come through the intern or job application/interview format. You have to see the gaps and be ready to jump in and fill that gap. This means you have to be observant and don’t be afraid of detours because those experiences are what will make you unique. I would tell myself to stay the course, pay attention to every lesson, It will all make sense later. Just stay on the saddle. When you’re a young adult trying to figure things out while in motion, it can feel crazy and not everything is going to make sense. One day you’ll get to a place where you will look back and say, I was prepared me for this moment.”