Priya Williams is an incredibly talented writer and entertainment executive who elevates the culture in some capacity every day. The CEO of the Pretti brand takes time to share her wisdom and expertise.
You are very respected throughout the industry, what has been the key to your success?
By accepting nothing stays the same and refusing to remain limited by what seems possible in the moment. Innovation is impossible unless you’re willing to try something that hasn’t been done.
As a multifaceted creative, let us know some of the services you offer.
I offer media relations, writing, and digital packages. I also offer a 1-on-1 PR coaching program for companies looking to build in-house PR programs. In that program we work on everything from message development to creating an influencers program that works. Not every company needs the same thing.
Writing is one of your many talents, when did you realize that it was something that you wanted to pursue?
When I was about 10. That was the year I fell in love with hip-hop. I’d always loved telling stories. read what I write. Then I stuffed that dream for a really long time. Even after the emergence of blogs I wasn’t sold on this career path but shortly after the death of Mike Brown in Ferguson I made a connection between the way Black men and boys are seen and how Black women are portrayed across all industries and knew I was meant to help fix that. I wasn’t sure how at first but I knew that I had to start telling stories of Black women doing creative, heartfelt, bomb ass things to change narratives in their own industries.
The #MeToo movement exposed some of the many pitfalls women face within the entertainment industry. How do you handle the uncomfortable situations when working with male talent or peers?
I rarely work with male talent or peers alone and I usually bring someone who I share a personal connection and deep trust with. I think because my career has always focused on women, I am overly aware of the ways things can go wrong and I work hard to protect myself and my clients.
What are some of the key attributes you consider when taking on a new client?
Well once we get over the obvious needing to be a woman of color and have to love what you do. There are a few questions. Can we scale your business? Will you be able to help me establish your value? Do we share similar values and ideals? Right now, Black is popular, but for me Black is personal. Check my feeds, I am not new to this party and I am not working with brands who don’t understand or share that value.
Tell us about The Pretti Talk blog. How did you decide on the name?
The Pretti brand itself was built as part of an evolutionary change. If we all took steps towards our dreams, imagine how pretty the world would be. A while back I asked a childhood friend why he’d put up with me and another friend, and he replied “because you talk pretty.” It was horrible English but it stuck. Pretti Talk is the conversation women really have when the guys aren’t around. We share skin care routines, we share money advice, parenting advice, tell stories of other amazing Black women, and teach brands how to capitalize on what makes them “pretti”.
If there was one thing you would change about the entertainment industry, what would it be?
I would make sure to acknowledge all of the amazing Black women that held hip-hop up and who now hold it together. I read all these historic recaps of hip-hop and women are artistic footnotes at best when truth be told, there is no hip-hop without the strength and endurance of Black women.
BE’N ORIGINAL
