For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
I want to introduce you to J’Tasha St. Cyr.
Black Millennial Film Executive, Director, Producer, and Media Maven J’Tasha St. Cyr is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. St. Cyr’s culture-making influence has led her to become an integral part of expanding the largest Black film and arts festival in the United States, the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF), as she has now been tapped as Head of Acquisitions for a new original streaming service that PAFF is launching. Since 2019, St. Cyr has produced and moderated several groundbreaking panels as the festival’s global Millennial Brand Ambassador. Taking her contributions to the next level, St. Cyr stepped up into the indispensable role of overseeing PAFF’s pivot into the digital space due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her most recent panel, “Boss Moves: Women Who Are Changing The Industry,” offered insights from c-suite executive panelists like Connie Orlando, EVP of BET Networks, Leah Daniels Butler, Casting Director for Empire, and Rikki Hughes, award-winning producer of the Netflix Comedy Special for Dave Chappelle. Now, being tapped as Head of Acquisitions for the new original streaming service that PAFF is launching, St. Cyr is without a doubt propelling herself from behind the curtain to center stage of the globally respected institution. J’Tasha’s mission to become a household name for young women of color to aspire to a career in film is evidenced by her impact across multiple sectors of television, film and music. To date, St. Cyr has produced over 20 music videos across various genres, multiple films, and tv shows, in addition to a host of commercials, advertising, and marketing brand promotional tools. She’s amassed music video production credits ranging from Jim Jones, French Montana, Teyana Taylor, Charlie Wilson, JACKBOYS, and New Years Day, to name a few. She was instrumental in bringing to life 2020’s most notable COVID-conscious concert, The Parking Lot Concerts Series in Atlanta, GA. The revolutionary concert series brought St. Cyr in to produce and direct all streaming for the drive-in live shows featuring Lil Boosie, Lloyd, Rich the Kid, Pleasure P, and more. Her film credits extend back to the long-standing 40th People’s Choice Awards (2014) hosted by Beth Behrs and Kat Dennings, up to BET’s last in-person ceremony, hosted by Lil’ Duval The 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards. With a reputation in the entertainment realm, amongst influencers and those alike, she is known as “Miss. Everything” because of her innate ability to get any production completed with excellence. As the founder of Miss Everything Entertainment, (M.E.E.) St. Cyr aims to deliver an all-inclusive, all service powerhouse for entertainers to define their brand voice and communicate their message boldly to their audience. Miss Everything’s rapidly expanding culture add is showing no signs of slowing down in 2021, as the millennial media guru has produced two feature film projects expected to release this year. Both being Jean Claude Lamare Films, the first Gangland: The Musical stars R&B songstress Tamar Braxton, Wood Harris, and Keith Robinson in a modern-day rendition of a Romeo and Juliet styled forbidden romance. The second film production is the highly-anticipated Chocolate City 3: Live Tour, slated for release in May 21st via Amazon Prime in 2021, which stars an acclaimed cast including Clifton Powell, Lisa Raye, Earnest Lee Thomas, and Marc Jefferies. J’Tasha St. Cyr is carving out a lane of her own, building her own table and swiftly solidifying her space in the entertainment world. St. Cyr holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, concentrated in Entertainment Marketing from California State University, Polytechnic of Pomona, and frequently works on productions bi-coastally from Los Angeles to New York, Miami and Atlanta.
Her story is:
I am a Los Angeles native of Creole and Belizean descent. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Entertainment Marketing and a Minor in International Business from California State University, Polytechnic of Pomona. My experience as an international dancer, actor, and model expanded my rolodex and prepared me for a career producing and directing films and tv shows.
Her business is Miss Everything Entertainment Inc.
What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?
I would like to tell anyone but especially young black girls to never give up. If they have a dream or a goal they want to achieve, to always put their best foot forward and that no one is perfect but you can always get better.
What do you want your legacy to be?
I would like my legacy to be known as the girl who can do everything in film.
What inspires you?
My biggest inspiration is my mother. She was born in Belize and comes from a big family. She has raised 4 beautiful children while working a 9-5 and owning and managing a restaurant. She has shown me what a strong woman is mentally, physically, and emotionally. Michelle Obama, Oprah, Issa Rae and Masai Martin because she continues to rise.
What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?
I would like to have a positive impact on those around me because there are many things beating us down on a daily basis that I don’t want to add to the problem but I want to help be a part of the solution. I want to bring joy, open people’s minds to creativity, and help people experience things in a new light. I want the films I produce to help bring someone’s vision to life creatively.
What obstacles have you overcome or hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them?
The hurdles that I faced and continue to face in my career was allowing others to take credit for the work that I’ve done or not speaking up about receiving my credit. I have put in a lot of time, effort, and resources into everything I do and it took me a while to stop letting people take advantage of me and start accepting the power I hold and demand the respect that I should receive.
When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?
I have always realized it. ever since i was a little girl i would not knowingly boss people around. I was a natural born leader and didn’t like to take direction from others but not to confuse it with taking corrective criticism.
What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?
Not working for others, Creating my own schedule. To live financially free, and because I actually love what I do. I go by a saying ” It’s not consider WORK if you love what you do”
What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your business and personally?
Goals I would like to accomplish are Getting my business to a 7 figure company. Creating a production school for young kids in the inter cities to learn about film making music and events. Personally the goal I would like to accomplish is helping however many people and families I can be creativity financially free.
What’s next for you in your business/brand?
Next would be directing. I would like to direct my own project. I produce a lot for other directors now I would like to direct.
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