Chicago-based president and founder of marketing and creative company, the myWHY Agency, Emerald-Jane Hunter, is the August 2020 SIA-Africa Person of the Month.
Hunter was born in Ghana and moved to the U.S. at 19. She is a graduate of SIA-Africa prospective beneficiary school Wesley Girls’ High School. She studied communications at Luther College in Iowa and worked in television, including working as a producer to help create positive African American programming, before founding myWHY in 2016.
Hunter, a four-time Emmy Award-winning producer, aims to “elevate and generate brand awareness while telling compelling, inspiring stories,” she said in a recent interview. She has worked with numerous stars, including Sting, Barry Manilow, Jennifer Hudson, Common, Cindy Crawford, Tony Goldwyn, Ne-Yo, Mike Tyson, Jane Lynch, Martha Stewart, and Larry King, among others.
The mother of two said recently that being a woman of color in the entertainment industry led her to observe a lot and apply what she learned about race relations to ensure a balance in representation with guests on the show she worked on; with topics of conversation; and with how Black people were portrayed in content created. She also said she never lets her race or gender define her and she has worked hard to ensure it is her work ethic that leaves an indelible mark.
Her agency is focused on the health and wellness arena, working with food & beverage and lifestyle brands, non-profit organizations, and women-led businesses that are “deeply rooted in something more meaningful that just making money.”
For setting a shining example in the entertainment and advertising industries and as an inspiration for young African women, Emerald-Jane Hunter is SIA-Africa’s August 2020 Person of the Month.
