Not a Stain on Her: My Interview with India Monee

Deon Egenti

India Monee is trying to think futuristic in an industry that’s constantly changing. Yet, she does it with such style and grace. However, that wasn’t always the case. It took a while for her to get to a point where she was able to take care of herself. The Dallas native has been through different positions in the media industry, different cities around the world, and told her story throughout her journey. She is a big advocate of writing things down and speaking them to existence. It’s led her to where she’s at now and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I talk to the multimedia creative about her time at Prarie View A&M University, being a digital producer for the Ricky Smiley Morning Show, and her self-improvement journey.

I like to call you a multimedia creative. When did you realize you had this many talents?

I would say around high school because I always liked writing growing up. That was my first passion but in high school, I was doing yearbook and the broadcast team wanted me to join them but I couldn’t do both because it was during the same period. When I went to Praire View A&M University, I didn’t want to be put in a box. I wanted to be able to do everything no matter what.

So what were some of the things you were doing in Praire View?

The first thing I did was be a part of the newspaper team my freshman year and work my way up. I became the lifestyle editor my sophomore year and editor in chief my junior year. I also joined a radio station and had a radio show for two years. Whenever celebrities came on campus, I made sure to make myself known to the staff so they bring me in whenever they need me to do interviews.

You had your radio show called Downtown Tea which also became your first blog site. What are some of your fondest memories about that time?

That was so fun! As a creative, you feel like so many juices are flying and it doesn’t feel like work; it feels like a passion. Downtown Tea was something I randomly came up with. I wanted to do radio so bad and my best friend and I did the show. We talked about celebrity gossip, campus news, what was poppin’ that week, etc. Organizations on campus were hitting us up asking us to promote their event and all of that. Then, with my blog, I’m so mad because I can’t see my old work! I hate when things like that happen. Anyways, I was just writing about whatever was going on like I was in a news outlet. I just wanted to do my own thing and make it my own.

You’ve interviewed so many important people and legends in different fields. Is there a particular interview you’ve done that your most proud of?

I have two of them. My first ever interview was with MC Lyte. It was monumental for me because, as a creative, you’re doing everything by yourself. However, I had my friend with me to help me record the interview. The interview went well so I went to watch it back and then I realized I didn’t turn my microphone on, so there was no sound. However, looking back it was such a huge teachable moment so I’m grateful for that. Another one that I’m proud of was my interview with GG Townson and Laila Odom, the women who played Salt-N-Pepa in the Lifetime movie. They were so personable and it was one of the first interviews I did with my job now.

I’ve read on your website about you saying you had to hustle to get to where you’re at. Were there a lot of challenges getting to this position as a Black woman creative in this industry?

There are always some challenges in the entertainment/media industry. After graduation, I moved to the DC area and I worked at Radio One Baltimore. I had a couple of challenges there such as being the youngest person in the building and some of the oldheads not wanting you in there. They think you want to take their job or shut down ideas you’re trying to pitch. As a young person, I just want a chance to show you what I can do. I faced that for two years and it was my biggest struggle. I just wanted to see how far I could push the limit without getting fired. It’s a lot of strategy behind trying to get what you want in this industry.

You’ve worked in iHeartMedia Dallas and Radio One Baltimore. What did you learn from each of those experiences?

With iHeartMedia, I was only there for a short amount of time and I worked overnight. However, I learned how to work the boards and even if you think it’s a small opportunity, it’s a big opportunity. Working at iHeartMedia got me the Radio One job. Networking is the most important thing in this industry and that’s what Radio One Baltimore taught me. The current role that I have came from someone that I met in Baltimore. Although I had to move back to Texas, I wouldn’t have gotten the job if I didn’t know the people I met over there.

You’re now a Digital Producer for the Rickey Smiley Morning Show. What has the experience been like for you over there?

It’s been really good! I got this position two weeks before COVID-19 hit so I’ve been remote this whole time. However, all the interests I have in writing, social media, and digital, allow me to tap into all of those creative spaces. I love working with people who look like me and who are serving the culture.

You created The Journal Entry which promotes exploring and discovering yourself on a self-improvement journey. Why do you believe it’s important for people to do that?

I wanted to create The Journal Entry because journaling is my thing. Ever since I was younger, I always kept a journal. I feel like when I was living in the Baltimore/DC area it was hard for me because I was working so many part-time jobs just to keep afloat. I was struggling and looking back, I wished I would’ve taken care of myself better instead of being down about everything. It was a good time in my life, but I didn’t appreciate it as much as I should’ve because I was so worried about my career, money, image, social media, and what that looks like. If I would’ve took better care of my mental health, I probably would’ve been more well-off. I just want to inspire people to dive into and listen to themselves and not their friends. You can have a support system, but sometimes it takes sitting in a room and listening to your thoughts. I’m a big advocate of writing things down and getting it all out. When you put things down onto paper, you don’t know what could happen. I remember I wrote down exactly what I wanted in a role and it ended up being this Ricky Smiley role.

What’s the difference between India Monee the person and India Monee the brand?

Honestly, I’m going to say no. Being in this pandemic and how I view social media now, I want my brand and who I am to just be seamless. I almost don’t even want to call it a brand because it’s just really who I am. Right now, what I appreciate so much is authenticity and I want to work on showing more of my vulnerable self on social media. I feel like that’s what people are missing. I don’t want to come off my social media as a brand or this perfect person. I just want to be me and let people gravitate towards that. That’s why I’m so open and honest on my Youtube channel. This is real life and not everybody is living this TikTok Black girl luxury life. Some people have to work, cry, or take a creative break because they’re burnt out. I just want to be India Monee and that’s all.

You brought up your Youtube channel earlier. Would you say those vlogs are similar to the journals you’ve written when you were younger?

Yes. I view them as a video diary. I would look back at my old videos from college and be amazed at who I was then. It’s my journal for the world in a sense.

What would you call this chapter of your life?

The first thing I thought of was India: Squid Games! Hahaha. I don’t know what I’m doing honestly. I’m picking this umbrella which seems very intricate, but the circle looks easy and I can kind of do this. However, the square looks kinda complex so I don’t know. I’m just trying to figure it out. As a creative, you’re always interested in different things. So what is next? What do I want to do? Do I dive into entrepreneurship, doing more freelancing, or wanting a different role in the media industry? Do I want to do something different? I’m just figuring it out because the brands are falling, things are changing, and I’m trying to think futuristic.

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Check out her website here.

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