Kiedra Tyson, Publicist/ Partner at B3 Face Forward

What do you love most about being a woman?

I love our ability to lead, motivate, and guide in such a subtle way. I can pull this off with such finesse that people don’t even feel pushed or pursued, they just jump on board.

Have you had to deal with much sexism in your industry?

I, personally, have not had to deal with it but I have heard from other women that they do. I do have to deal with the typically flirting here and there but nothing too crazy or disrespectful. I have two brothers that are also in the industry so early on I was taught how to carry myself and demand respect.

Do you belong to any organizations catered to women business owners?

I am currently on three advisory boards that cater to woman business owners, Florida Memorial University Music program, Clarissa Silva’s Google + Create advisory board, and InF0cus TV with a focus on women in tech.

Who or what inspires you most?

My mother inspires me the most. Growing up, my mother was a classy, cultured, Susie homemaker, and had a strong faith base. I always want to be the type of women she is.

One Black woman that has influenced me in business is Jana Fleishman. Jana is the Head of Communications at Roc Nation/ Tidal. My first interaction with Jana was in 2014, when I was a young publicist, working with Roc Nation talent, Brandon Rossi. Jana was making the transition from Publicist to EVP.

I didn’t know her, just knew of her. Rossi and his manager, Demetrius “Kinky B” Ellerbee (Jeezy’s former manager) were telling me we have to do everything by ourselves without the help of the label. We pushed through. I was getting Rossi in Source Magazine, Shade45, Thisis50, even Yahoo Music. As I am doing all of this an email comes through on Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 at 12:55 pm, Jana Fleishman wrote: “Hello, please advise if you have a minute to speak. I can be reached at 212 292 ****. Thank you.”

I was thinking “How did she get my contact information? how did she find me?” I called her immediately and she explained how I am suppose to run everything through the label. Which was a helpful lesson because now I work with other clients signed to different labels, and TV networks. She continued to ask me questions, in a New Yorker tone like “So what’s your follow up, or is this it?” Things that made me think.

Fast forward to 2018 and Jana is still killing the game, and has been consistently helpful when I reach out. For the Tidal Global Citizen Party, I had clients that were interested in attending and she had her team make sure they were added to list. Regardless of what time it is, she is always working and responsive. I respect her hustle and work ethic.

Something about you that would surprise us:

Three things that would surprise you about me, I am extremely clumsy, completely single, and I really don’t like going out. Everyone thinks because I have celebrity clients that I am always out, I do the absolute bare minimum when it comes to that. I always ask them “How bad do you really want me there?” I feel like I’ve paid my dues and don’t have to be out.

Advice for women entrepreneurs:

The biggest advice I can give other women entrepreneurs is to remember that you are building a brand. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It will be a lot of ups and downs, but stay with it because your dream is worth it.

Learn more about Kiedra Tyson:

Kiedra Tyson, a publicist by trade, got her start in radio by working with Radio One in St. Louis and with the Baker Boyz in Miami. She comes from a family of people who work in the industry; Brandon Hinkle an artist promotion manger working with Live Nation and other outlets and Erin Hinkle a videographer who has worked on projects with Tyler Perry and various international films.

She went on to work for The St. Louis Post Dispatch in advertising and marketing while also working on a joint venture through the GLU agency in New York.

At GLU her focus was creating sponsorship packages for major artists and brand placement for upcoming artists. Her 16 years of industry experience gave birth to B3 Face Forward.