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

Hi LaToya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2011, five days after giving birth to my 10lb daughter, I was hit by a car with her in my arms. By the grace of God, she walked away without a scratch! I on the other hand had broken my left tibia, fibula, navicular, and right shoulder blade. I had to spend 15 painful days in the hospital, in rehab, away from my newborn to learn how to exist in this world with the injuries I had sustained. Fast forward seven long weeks later, I was out of the cast and in out-patient rehab, where I had a conversation with an older gentleman who asked me what happened after I told him his response made me realize that there was something so much bigger inside of me. I was working at Complex Media at the time and while visiting the office during my leave, on crutches, the CEO asked, “how could you possibly be smiling after what happened to you?” My response was simply, “God got me”. But I was smiling because being back in the building, a feeling came over me that confirmed this is what I wanted, this is the legacy I want to leave behind for my daughter, this is how I will serve my community, this is how I will empower Black women…I wanted to build a Global Media empire, similar to Complex, that fuels Black women. I didn’t know what it was going to be called at that moment, but I felt what God had called me to do. So I was patient, worked on healing, and gaining more knowledge and five years later birthed Black Girl Digital.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In high school, I thought I was going to be a professional singer quickly realized I had stage fright and decided to be an A&R instead to help cultivate talent. I moved to New York from Houston, TX, had an internship at a record label, and again, quickly realized that the music business was not for me. I then shifted into the advertising world and it was fireworks ever since. My first job after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Advertising and Marketing was at a major agency as a Media Buyer for local TV and Radio. But I knew I wanted to be in the digital space, so after a year, I shifted gears. Then I received a called to work at Spike Lee’s ad agency, Spike DDB. That was an amazing experience, however, it still was not digital enough for me. My next job was the wake-up call I needed. I was in one of my Linkedin groups when I saw a posting for this role called “ad ops” but had no clue what it entailed but wanted to give it a go anyway. I submitted my application and it turned out to be Complex and I worked there for 7 years in three different departments (Ad Ops, Marketing, and Sales). I also worked at a few other notable companies like At&t and Conde Nast but there was no place like Complex. What we did at Complex was revolutionary. It has provided me with a level of experience that allows Black Girl Digital to thrive year over year. While it wasn’t easy, I walked away from Complex with a clear understanding of how to build a successful profitable business model in the digital marketing space.

What I want the world to know about our brand story is that Black Girl Digital did not happen overnight. We are a purpose-driven business build to serve our community and customers. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I love this! As far as people that have been impactful throughout my journey, I would first have to say, my family. Without their support, It would have been impossible to make it this far. My mother came from Jamaica to stay with us for 3 months during my maternity leave to help after the accident. She had colon cancer at the time and we didn’t even know it. There were also some amazing books that changed my life personally and professionally, for starters Stephen R Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and John C Maxwell’s Developing the Leader in You 2.0.

Website: www.blackgirldigital.com

Instagram: latoyashambo

Linkedin: latoyashambo

Twitter: blkgirldigital

Facebook: blackgirldigital

Other: Instagram: BlackGirlDigital

Image Credits
House of Baum @simplyshannah LaToya Shambo Janae Mason

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