About This Video
This may not apply to all black people but in the entertainment industry, there tends to be a drive to play down success. I work in the radio and broadcast industry and constantly hear that it’s not a good idea to ruffle any feathers. I myself have been guilty of it too.
Background & Context
As an industry veteran, I’ve seen how the narrative of ‘not ruffling feathers’ plays out in the entertainment world. It’s a survival tactic rooted in the fear of retaliation or losing opportunities. This isn’t just about personal success, it’s about acknowledging the achievements of our community. We’ve worked hard to get where we are. By downplaying our accomplishments, we’re inadvertently perpetuating the narrative of diminished worth. It’s time we proudly wear our success, not just for ourselves, but to inspire the future generation.
Key Takeaways
- The tendency to downplay success is a survival tactic
- The fear of retaliation or losing opportunities fuels this behavior
- Diminishing our accomplishments perpetuates a narrative of reduced worth
- It’s important to own and celebrate our success
- We need to inspire the future generation by openly acknowledging our achievements
About Kevin Ross
Kevin Ross is a music and broadcast industry veteran with more than
30 years of firsthand experience spanning radio programming, on-air
talent, record promotion, voice work, publishing, and digital media.
He has worked every side of the business — from the air studio to
the boardroom — and built one of the longest-running digital platforms
dedicated to Black radio and music industry coverage.
30 Plus Years In is where that experience lives on video.
