Racial Diversity, Boundaries and Assertiveness in the Beauty Industry - It Takes A Village Podcast

Welcome to It Takes A Village to Raise An Entrepreneur Podcast, with Delina Medhin. In this next series of episodes, we delve into the stories of remarkable individuals who have made an impact on the beauty industry with the help of their own village.
In today’s episode, I am honored to be joined by the renowned TV and film makeup artist, Malika “MJ” James. With over a decade of experience in her craft, MJ sheds light on topics that have shaped her career and personal growth. One of the crucial themes she addresses is the pressing need for racial equality and diversity within the fiercely competitive industry. Drawing from her own experiences and her thought-provoking 2020 Variety Article, A Union Makeup Artist Reflects on Hollywood’s Systemic Racism, Past and Present, she brings attention to the systemic racism that persists in Hollywood.
MJ’s wisdom extends beyond the realm of artistry. She emphasizes the significance of smart decision-making, recognizing that the choices made during challenging times can profoundly impact one's trajectory when success is attained. In her own words, "All money is not good money." She also shares invaluable insights into the importance of personal boundaries, assertiveness, and self-care in maintaining one's well-being and professional success.
As a bicoastal makeup artist and esteemed member of both the Makeup and Hair Stylist Guild Local 706 and Local 798, MJ has collaborated with an impressive roster of stars. From Gabrielle Union and Danai Gurira to Andrew Lincoln and Keke Palmer, her work has graced the faces of esteemed individuals in the entertainment industry. With credits that span from hit TV shows like "Grownish" and "Blackish" to blockbuster films like "The Hunger Games" series, her expertise has left an indelible mark.
To stay connected and explore more of MJ's remarkable journey, be sure to follow her on Instagram: @mjfaces and subscribe to her UA-cam channel, The House of MJ. You can also read her Variety Article here - bit.ly/ITAVPod_MJ
Music by Jerren Spruill @j.kits.music
00:00 - Intro
5:38 - People were pissed after the Variety Article
11:21 - The Union president called me a liar
13:11 - Our journey as black people is just different
15:30 - Eating clean to operate at my highest self
16:48 - Maturity in your personal life will transcend to your business
24:11 - People are always gonna show you who you are
30:31 - Doing the Super Bowl
34:20 - Choosing your team
38:33 - You are replaceable
41:10 - Learning to read the room
45:01 - Emotional stamina and allowing yourself to cry
58:49 - Taking mental breaks for yourself
1:01:01 Having a safety net as a creative
1:07:27 - Navigating friendships as a creative
1:11:01 - Choosing clients, all money is not good money
1:19:38 - Taking business advice
1:31:34 - Kiyah Wright’s “From Beauty to Business”
1:34:22 - Shoutout to Delina’s Mom

[@SharonDJohnson515]

Great conversation!

[@Delinamedhin]

thank you for watching!

[@cathyparker9057]

I totally love this episode ❤️🌹👑🎨🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
The energy was amazing, so informative and just so good 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@Delinamedhin]

so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching!! :)

[@hooveri1]

Everything about this season is so amazing. The new intro and the videos…the podcast leveled up!!

[@Delinamedhin]

thank you we had so much fun creating it :)