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With over 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry, Melanie Thomas is an award-winning producer, director, entrepreneur, executive producer and media professional. She is also a native Sarasotan.
In 2001, Thomas founded MelEcho Productions Inc., a multimedia and entertainment company and the first in Sarasota, Manatee and Venice to serve women and black women. MelEcho Productions specializes in television and entertainment; Thomas’ notable interviewees include President Barack Obama, Dr. Maya Angelou, Kirk Franklin, Patty LaBelle, Alicia Keys, Vivica Fox, Tyler Perry, Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Babe and CeCe Winans, Magic Johnson, Jennifer Hudson, Vanessa Williams and more.
In 2008, Thomas became founder and executive producer Greatness beyond measure (GBM), a local mentoring organisation that aims to inspire excellence in teens and young adults. It also provides a platform for aspiring teens and young artists, musicians, poets, dancers, entrepreneurs and others to showcase their creative talents.
Thomas has been recognized for his contributions to the community by the American Advertising Federation, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the NAACP Sarasota County Chapter, and the Sarasota County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.
Thomas, now in his 50s, runs GBM while still working in the entertainment industry. She also works with the youth ministry of Trinity Christian Fellowship in Sarasota.
What was it like growing up in Sarasota?
“I grew up in the predominantly black community of Newton Estates and I attended a mixed-race school. This is also reflected in my group of friends who range from black to Caucasian to Latino. My parents Rayford and Rosa Lee Thomas , let me not choose one group over the other.”
Did you experience racism as a child?
“Most of my feeling of being different came in adulthood. I remember one very vividly, at about age 46, when I got into an elevator with a white woman and her toddler son. . His first reaction to seeing me was screaming and crying – he was horrified, obviously he had never seen a black man.
“I was trying to figure out what was going on, but it was clear that the kid was reacting to what he had been taught at home. His mother didn’t look at me – didn’t even admit I was there. It seemed like he was afraid I was The normal reaction caught me off guard, and after all these years, I’m still baffled by that moment, and I’ll never forget it.”
“This also happens in grocery stores. When I walk by or walk up to a white woman with a purse in a basket, she grabs it. Recently, when I walked out of a store, a salesperson came up and scanned me with her eyes. body and see if I walk out with stolen merchandise. I didn’t grow up that way. Stealing is a shame on me. It makes me question each other: What’s going on in your life makes you feel like you need to take me classified as Those ones people? “
“It’s also my norm to be one of a minority or a minority of black people in a room of 50 or more Caucasians at an event in Sarasota.”
How does it feel to be one of the only people of color in a room?
“I wonder, doesn’t this bother anyone? We need to get a better handle on who we send invitations to.
“God is a master of coloring and painting. That’s why he gave us all the different shades and shades – mocha, chocolate, caramel and vanilla – the same way he painted plants, grass and flowers. If we could Put up with the thought. Just because my skin is darker than yours doesn’t make you smarter or more qualified. God can’t possibly rank it that way. He gives everyone a different gift, it’s his choice and we need to accept it That.”
You are the mother of a 27 year old black man.How do you feel about the game When you think about that?
“The first thing that comes to mind is George Floyd era. How his death happened that makes his murder special – knee-to-neck is a modern day lynching. And for Derek Chauvin, people watching doesn’t matter. He was obsessed with destroying what he thought was a demeaning life. Floyd was no longer a person to him. As if he were an animal, not a human being, to be destroyed. These people are taking lives. This is disturbing.
“Recently, I asked a young man about 11 how he felt about what happened to George Floyd. He started crying. It made him fear he was going to be killed by law enforcement. Now to everyone It’s worse for my mother, including me.
Do you talk to your son about it?
“My son Derek lives in Los Angeles, and even though he’s an adult, I’m worried because racial profiling and the rise of hate groups are real. I couldn’t resist calling and asking if he was okay. I asked him to be He calls me when he gets to where he’s going and when he comes back. It keeps me praying and praying and praying more. I can’t pray for the safety of my son and other young black people. It helps me sleep.
“When my son was driving from Sarasota to Los Angeles, it was a scary moment for me. The advice his father and uncle gave him was, ‘Whatever you do, don’t stop in Alabama.’ Come on before you get there.’ My son had to traverse deserts and mountains, and I wasn’t as scared of racial profiling and police brutality because he was a black male.
“I told him not to drive at night because I wanted to be safer for him during the day; to make it easier for people to observe and witness. It should be a fun road trip. It shouldn’t be.
“Our skin makes us a target, but white people will lie in the sun for hours and then go to a tanning stand and turn into my cinnamon. Not to mention seeing how we perform can pay, but we’re still considered Inferior. Why is society selective about which parts of the black community they want to embrace? Why can’t we accept each other for unity rather than destruction? Unity is strength.”
What is your professional development experience?
“When I want to come up with an idea that makes me look too smart, I run into resistance. When I do, I risk being considered ‘arrogant.’ My parents always tell me,” Melanie , you have to remember that if you want to get ahead, you have to be at least three times stronger than the white people around you. This is the only way to prove yourself. “I told my son the same thing.”
How do you focus on endgames?
“There is no greater role model in my life than my mom and dad. Because of my parents — who were married for 55 years until my dad passed away in 2020 — I know unconditional love. They and my big The love of my family keeps me going and drawing strength from wherever I go. Love is the most powerful thing on earth.”
Do you have a motto for your life?
“Marianne Williamson’s poem ‘Our Deepest Fear’ has helped shape my life. It begins with, ‘Our deepest fear is not our inadequacy. Our deepest fear is that we have immeasurable power.’ Our light, not our darkness, scares us the most. We ask ourselves, who am I, and am I good, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you? no become? You are God’s child. ‘”
Tell us about greatness beyond measure.
“This poem helped shape the intent behind GBM to empower young people of all ages and colors in real life—including the underserved—through mentoring and collaboration with more than 30 organizations and churches. We’ve helped from over 500 teenagers and young adults across the country.
“I have enjoyed working with brilliant young people in the arts, economics, technology, entrepreneurship and career development. Some of our children are already designing robots. We encourage them not to stifle their talent as they often prevent adaptation. But Many people don’t know they have talent until someone shows them. At GBM, we are the resource they need to get to the next level.
“We also award scholarships, promote technology and innovation, and social networking. We hold seminars and lectures to keep our teens up to date with the latest trends in electronic media and beyond.”
During your career, you have interviewed some of the most powerful black people in the world. Who left the biggest mark?
“I’m an aficionado of performance, art and music, so I love getting into the minds of entertainers. Some of my best times are backstage interviews.
“The first person that came to mind was Grammy winner Kirk Franklin. I remember when his career started, he was different – he was the first of his kind. He changed gospel music by introducing modern sounds , and took it to another level. His music had a lot of bass. Not traditional, he was mocked by churches, including black churches.
“I said to him, ‘People have issues with you and your music. They say it’s too radical and it’s not Jesus.’ He said, ‘That’s not my problem. That’s their problem. I am doing what God tells me to do. “
“Another memorable interview was with Dr. Maya Angelou. I still remember her presence, her aura and the wisdom in her voice that day at the Zora Neal Heston Festival in Eatonville, She was life-changing and full of magic.”
What would you like your white friend or acquaintance to do now?
“I want them to stand up, make their voices heard, and use whatever influence they have to heal the division and hatred that is spreading. Just because we are different parties doesn’t mean we have to hate each other.
“If someone says harsh things, don’t get involved and don’t keep silent. Given what’s going on in our country right now, it’s not okay for you to keep silent.
“We have to do more to spread love, it’s the only way we can survive.“
Listening to Black Sound is a series created by Heather Dunhill
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