Headed To A Theater Near You: One on One w/ Kimia Workman (Actress/Dancer)

Name: Kimia’ Workman

Station (market/format/timeslot): formally weekend personality for 92Q Jams 

How long have you been in the radio business? I studied communications/broadcast journalism at Morgan State University and went to Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts. I’ve been working for Radio One since 2010, starting out as an intern. So professional, going on 5 years.

How long were you in the television business? I’ve always wanted to do television. I first appeared on television with my internship in high school on The Educational Channel in Towson, Md. I then interned for ABC Channel 2 news while in college, had my own fitness tv show, and was an anchor on MSU TV News.

What is more enjoyable/different? I really love them both. I didn’t think I would love radio the way I do. When I was growing up, people always said they could see me on TV. I never considered a career in radio until I won the K-Swift scholarship from 92Q to study at Sheffield.

Would you say it’s hard to work with/for women in radio than it is to work with/for men? I think it is equally hard no matter who you work for. Entertainment in general is a cut throat business and you have to put your all in it and work hard at it if you want to succeed. Radio is no different. With the limited opportunities there are for men and women in radio, it’s even more paramount that you make an impact and significantly stand out no matter who you are working for or with.

What do you think is the most challenging being a talent in your career? The most challenging I would say is trying to stay focused and understanding who your real friends are, who are really looking out for you, as opposed to the so called “haters” that are looking for you to fail. And of course, again, the opportunities are limited.

 (Kimia w/ radio personalities for 92Q Konan & Dirty Rice) 

Did you (or do you) have a mentor in radio? If so, who are they and what have they helped you on in reference to your career? I would say my first major mentor was Konan. I interned under him for months and really learned a lot. I always asked him so many questions about the business and he always gave me straight up answers. He has been in the business for years and still going strong so I will always look to him for advice. Others that I love watching progress and that have inspired and gave me advise, either through knowing them personally or just through social media are Free, Big Tigger, Tom Joyner, Kiki Brown, April Watts, Angie Ange, Deja Perez, Porkchop, Producer Frenchy, DJ Kei Touch, Ron Thompson, and Angela Yee just to name a few. Also music director Tayla Johnson and Radio One Baltimore Operations Manager, Al Payne have been a pivotal part in starting my on air career here at 92Q.

What was it about radio that struck your interest? I think it was the impact that you can make on people and the fun you have. I have never enjoyed a job this much ever. Radio has a way of transforming society and communicating with people in a different way. It is a very powerful medium that influences our culture, and overall, I just love entertaining.

What makes a good radio talent? I would say you definitely have to have a great personality that attracts people. Also, attentiveness to details, the ability to adapt in a fast paced environment, adapt to changes at any given moment, interacting with listeners, focus, leading your community, and investing yourself in making an impact. Being a personality is not just being on air, you have to be on all the time, just like famous celebrities. You never know who may be watching.

How do you respond to women in the media who become out of touch from those trying to reach that particular level of success? The main thing to do is to never let anyone tell you you can’t do something. If you have a strong desire to accomplish something, nothing should get in your way. There are going to be obstacles along the way, but that is just to test you to see how serious you really are. Stand strong, stay focused, and get the mentality that “you can’t” out of your head.

 (Kimia with singer/actor Ray J)

Have you ever been fired? How did you bounce back? I have been fired from a job before. It wasn’t my fault, but my first reaction was to stay calm and know that everything happens for a reason. I knew that either that job just wasn’t for me, or something better was going to come along.

What genre of music do you like to listen to the most and why? I love hip hop, old school/classic hip hop, rnb, pop, club, reggae, and sometimes jazz depending on what mood I’m in.

What is your LET IT GO song? (one that you would absolutely lose your mind listening to) LOL, Even though I could dance to anything, having a background in dance and choreography, I would have to say, although people may think I’m crazy, the thun thun song. It’s by Finatticz called Don’t Drop That Thun Thun Thun. It’s so wrong but the beat is hard.

You’ve interviewed a lot of celebrities, was there ever a time you had an uncomfortable celebrity interview where it went terribly wrong? Describe. It’s funny I was just starting out and got my first opportunity to interview major celebrities at the Stone Soul Picnic. One of them was Bobby V. He made some type of comment and we were recording it on camera and I had to play it off like please you probably say that to all the girls, then went right into the next question. LOL I was stumped at first, but played it like a professional.

Who was the best celebrity encounter and why? I would say Tom Joyner. He is such a nice and genuine person. You can even tell when he’s on the air. He’s very down to earth and was a pleasure to meet.

What’s the biggest misconception about you? Before people meet me, they think I am snobby or stuck up because of the way I look. I had several times people told me that when I met them, and then they would say wow you’re mad cool.

Why don’t people get about music when it comes to radio? People get mad when radio stations play the same thing over and over. I think they don’t understand that the radio industry is higher than the personalities you hear. We have to follow certain formats and play certain songs, which does in fact hinder the creativity of the craft.

Who do you most admire in the radio industry and why? I admire any and every professional out here hustling, grinding, and just doing their thing. I know what it takes from everything I’ve been through and I haven’t even reached the top of my goal sheet yet. Just to make it, doing what you love to do is admirable.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? David E Talbert said “talent gets you far, but grind and drive gets you further.” I’ve always liked that quote.

What’s the biggest misconception about women in radio? Not only in radio, but just in general, that we have it easy. That we can sleep our way to the top. Every time a successful woman makes it big, it’s “Who did she have to sleep with to get that.” It’s a huge misconception, we work just as hard, if not harder, than the men to get to where we want to be.I’m not saying that that doesn’t happen, but it is one misconception.

Where do you see urban radio in the next 10-15 years?  Technology is changing, everything is changing. There’s definitely a lot more competition than there was years ago with pod casts, internet radio, Pandora, iTunes, etc. So wherever it will be, it will definitely be more digitized than ever before.

What do you think is wrong, if you do, with hip hop and R&B? I could get deep into that, lol. Really, I just think the music industry is all about money; maybe not so much talent. There are lots of artists out here with mad talent, but then there are ones that got put on because of the dollar amount. Many of the really talented artists, you may never even hear. Songs, just as television have the tendency to influence our youth, and some songs send out the wrong message. But at the end of the day, it’s entertainment and people are going to love it or hate it.

Who do you think is the most under appreciated artist out there right now? Oh soooo many artists are under appreciated. Older artists that we heard on the radio years ago, some that you hear on the radio, and some that we never even hear on the radio. It would hard just to name one.

Who’s in your iPod/radar? I like a mixture of music. Right now I have August Alsina, Teyana Taylor, TI, Drake, Jhene Aiko, Childish Gambino, School Boy Q, Warren G, Wu-Tang Clan, Yo Gotti, 2 Pac, Prince, Kid Ink, Lyrica Anderson, Aaliyah along with others.

What do you want your legacy to be?  I want to be an inspiration to not only kids, but even adults who never got the chance to live their dream. There are many situations and obstacles that stop people from chasing after what they really want. I want to be known for making it, living my dream, creating positive movements, and helping/supporting others to do the same thing.

If you could give advice to someone wanting to be a radio personality, what would you say? I would say just like what I was told “Talent gets you far but grind and hustle gets you further.” You might have talent, but if you not out their grinding, hustling, and doing something toward your goal everyday, don’t except to get far. You can’t expect any handouts. You want something, you have to go out there and get it. You think going to school is going to enhance your skills, go to school, learn the business, learn the craft, make connections…networking is soooo important. Also, get advice from other professionals, watch what they are doing, and start building a brand.

Biggest regret is…. Probably not moving to New York when I had the opportunity to. But like I said, everything happens for a reason.

How can people reach out to you? 

Twitter and Instagram @KimiaWorks

Facebook @kimiaworkman.

Email at kimar1002@comcast.net.