We had the good fortune of connecting with Ebony Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ebony, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk-taking is necessary in life. For me, I am constantly taking risks and betting on myself. I’m from Anchorage, Alaska, where my school teachers in elementary school told me I would never graduate let alone be successful in entertainment. I have grown to be a top radio personality in Anchorage until I took the leap of faith and moved to Texas. In Texas, I also had a number one radio show, which got me to Denver, Colorado where I again had a number one radio show which landed me in Los Angeles. In LA I’ve produced, written, and directed four shorts and a comedy pilot. I’m a freelance writer for a few major magazine publications, I booked a pilot, a Nike + MinDDBra AD, sold a script, and work for another major entertainment corporation. I also signed a few major deals that I can’t speak on just yet. How did I get here? I took a risk, I left Anchorage with no job and landed one in Texas before I left the airport. It took that first step for God to catch me and I’ve been moving ever since.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m most proud of my ability to write comedy and drama. I love that I can create amazing characters who’ve gone through hell and back. I love that I can create a world that makes you laugh and realize that “yeah, I see a little of myself in them.” It wasn’t easy to learn how to create a world in a few pages since I come from the land of writing novels; I’m used to writing 300+ pages. When writing a script I’ve had to learn how to narrow that down to 30 pages for TV or 90+ for features. I’ve read (and still am) books, scripts, etc. whatever I need to in order to learn my craft in more depth. I believe you can never learn too much. I’ve overcome the challenges by allowing others to read certain works and accepting the feedback. As creatives, we tend to be a bit sensitive. With my background of being an on-air talent for television and radio, my skin is super thick. So it takes a lot for me to get in my feelings about a critique. I actually thrive on feedback, and I’ve learned to not take it to heart. Lessons I’ve learned along the way are: feedback is great even if it’s bad, not everyone has your best interest at heart (some people might aid in your failure while pretending to aid in your success), Stay true to your craft, remember it’s not a race what is for you is for you and NO ONE can take that away. Just remember, when one door closes there’s a million more open just waiting for you to find it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were to visit we are going to find a karaoke place. She LOVES karaoke! So first up, is a bar (where, who knows), and then the beach, of course, we have to hit up Teddys Taco truck and then relax at my place before we road trip. Cali is one of the best places I’ve lived because I can get on the highway and enter into a new world within an hour or so. We will go see a friend in San Diego, then we would go on a wine tour in Napa, and before she has to head back, we’re taking that 4 hour drive to Vegas!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My father, who always told me to do what my heart desires. He’s read every script and book I’ve written from the first draft to the final revision. He’s seen every shoot and listened to every radio show no matter where he was living. He toughed it out with me in the car driving 14+ hours from state to state. And most importantly, he’s always kept it real with me, even when I didn’t want to hear it.

Website: www.ebonywilliamsonline.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ebonyonair

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ebonyonair

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ebonyonair

Facebook: www.facebook.com/onairebonywilliams

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8zG2vrAyTlB7uuZeq-rwGg

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