Joy-Ann Reid’s New Media Era

Just months after her departure from MSNBC, celebrated journalist Joy-Ann Reid is embarking on an exciting new chapter – and this time, she’s in the driver’s seat. As a guest on the ‘Mompreneurs’ podcast, Reid is sharing insights into her reinvention and how she’s thriving in her independent media era.

Inspired by Her Mompreneur Roots

Reid credits her own brilliant mother as her primary inspiration. Describing her mom as adventurous and a true news junkie, she instilled a deep care for the world in her children. Their household was filled with news programs, shaping Joy and her siblings into ‘news people.’ Her parents, both globally aware, ensured their children were too.

Her mother’s resilience was particularly impactful. After her parents’ separation, her mom pursued her PhD, raised three children as a single parent, and balanced multiple jobs. ‘She just did all the things,’ Reid recalled, calling her mom her ‘bestie’ and greatest inspiration.

Finding Joy in the Hustle

Reid honed her journalistic skills through local TV, talk radio, digital media, and newspapers. Despite demanding work and modest pay, she persevered, often juggling multiple jobs. The reality of raising three children and managing daycare costs prompted her to explore new avenues, including her blog, ‘The Amateur Pundit.’

This passion project led to an unexpected opportunity when she sent her resume, including her blog, to NBC’s Miami affiliate. The assistant news director, coincidentally a reader of her blog, hired her on the spot as a digital editor. This experience taught her the value of quality over quantity: ‘It’s not how many people are reading it, it’s who’s reading it.’

A Blessing in Disguise?

Following her work on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, Reid transitioned into punditry on CNBC and MSNBC. Reflecting on the recent cancellation of her primetime show, ‘The ReidOut,’ she sees her departure from MSNBC as a blessing in disguise. She expressed relief at not having to navigate the political pressures of appeasing the current administration, which she believes many major media companies are doing.

Now, Reid and her husband, a fellow media professional, have launched their own production company, Image Lab Media. Her new venture, ‘The Joy Reid Show,’ is already making waves on YouTube with over 300,000 subscribers. She emphasizes delivering trusted, factual, and researched information, meeting audiences wherever they are – whether on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram.

The Power of a Portable Brand

Reid stresses the importance of building a portable brand, even while working within mainstream media. ‘The brand you’re building at work belongs to you,’ she advises. This strategy has fueled her longevity and empowers her to transition into her own ventures, like ‘The Joy Reid Show,’ where she hosts discussions with prominent figures like Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren.

Her current chapter is all about charting her own course, adapting to the ever-changing media landscape. ‘You have to be adaptable if you’re gonna be in the media business,’ she notes. ‘Just understand that it keeps changing.’