Today we’d like to introduce you to LaToya Cross.
Hi LaToya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Peace. I was a pretty quiet, shy kid, observant may be more accurate—always soaking in the world around me and fascinated by behaviors and interactions; the rhythm of folk. As a teenager, I had these very vivid dreams. They were scenes filled with emotion, dialogue, and so much personality. So, I started keeping a notebook and pen or pencil on the side of my bed to document immediately and stay in the rhythm of the dream. I’d literally wake up and just write. The writings would come out in this sort of poetic flow, and I’d practice performing them. The world of make-believe was fascinating.
My mom noticed and nurtured what I was drawn to and while my brother Rob went to basketball practice,I took drama classes at the same community center. From there, it was theater camps every summer. I loved acting and the idea of becoming but what really intrigued me was the development and craft of story; the language and how human behavior, emotions, and experiences were reflected in very artistic, expressive ways. I also loved music and journalism. My mom says, I used to request “talk radio/NPR” in the car. And music was constant.
Very early on writing and the arts held my center.
In high school, for an English Lit project, I created the fictitious Dyme Delinkquents, a rap group from New York, that included me and three of my homegirls. I set up a pretend magazine interview—I doubled as a group member and the interviewer, created our bios, an album cover and everything. High school is also where I was introduced to Ntozake Shange’s “for colored girls who considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf” and performed the monologue, “i usedta live in the world.”
After high school, I attended Specs Howard School of Broadcast and Media Arts and received certification in TV Production. After graduating, I headed to Chicago to attend Columbia College. My initial major was TV Production/Writing and Producing but around the end of my sophomore year, I switched to Magazine Journalism with the dream to work at VIBE Magazine—combining my love for the arts, music, and entertainment with creative, intimate storytelling. I dreamed of touring with artists and writing really rich and well-researched profiles, then becoming an MTV VJ and eventually hosting a show like BET’s Teen Summit. Ananda Lewis was my favorite host and I was drawn to the concept and themes of the show. It was a mix of everything from musical performances to deep dive conversations that dealt with cultural and social issues. And it centered youth voices and perspectives. It was culture and impactful. All of these interests and visions set the foundation for all I do and am working toward.
January 10, 2010, I started my professional journalism career as Associate Editor of N’DIGO Magapaper, a black-owned publication in Chicago, founded by Hermene Hartman. Zondra Hughes was the Editor. It’s been a ride ever since. Working with different publicists during my time there led to getting involved with grassroots community relations and marketing. Chicago was a time! Definitely a hustle and I learned so much.
VIBE didn’t happen but Ebony and Jet Magazine did! I started freelancing for Jet and as they were transitioning to digital and launching the JETApp, I was hired on a 3-month contract as the social media manager. The contract turned into a full-time position. Then, the promotions started rolling in! I worked my way up from social media manager to my final post with the brand as Senior Editor of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment for Ebony and Jet.Within this role is where I discovered my passion for creative producing. I conceptualized and co-produced JETSuite—a digital series that invited local and national talent into an intimate, stripped down space for live performance. It was pure artistic expression from acoustic musical performances to poetry and literary readings. For example, Queen Sugar actor Kofi Siriboe was featured and shared his poetry—an ode to New Orleans. One of my favorite episodes was welcoming Nikki Giovanni into the space. She read her poem “Quilts” and had us all in tears by the end. It was amazing.
Big love to Kyra Kyles, the best boss ever, for the opportunities, seeing me, and creating a space for all of us to explore, create, and build.
These were the seeds planted for where I am today as a writer and story producer with a passion for the arts, social impact, cultural memory and preservation.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are and have been many challenges but lessons and wisdom are birthed from that. One of the most significant came in March 2017, Chicago. I had recently covered the Tribeca Film Festival and was coming off another media trip that was in Atlanta, so I’m excited to get to work on the features and sort out the next magazine issue. We walked into the Ebony offices that Monday, I believe, and on this particular day, there was a heavy feeling. One by one from LA to NY to Chicago, we were laid-off. It felt unbelievable. But it was real. Crushed.
From there, I worked freelance gigs that gave valuable experiences but weren’t sustainable. I started spiraling and had no clue what would come next. Doubt and second-guessing my talent and career choices snuck in. For a hot minute, I no longer wanted to be in the magazine publishing industry—it’s wild to think that giving up writing actually crossed my mind. I worked on some cool stuff, but nothing solid enough for my livelihood. I had to figure out the next move.
April 29, 2018, my birthday, was my last day living in Chicago.
Coming back home was a lot emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It was a pivotal time and very layered, personally and professionally. I was/am blessed and grateful for my family and having a place to land. The reality of no longer working at that publication, blew my mind.
Truth though, it was all necessary. As storytellers, artists, people we have to go through things to feel what it’s like. See the choices we make in response to it all and how we choose to use those experiences. I was able to learn stillness, reconnect with myself, realign and in some ways discover my ”why” behind doing the work I loved, strategize about how I wanted to expand my talents and what I wanted to create. I thought through and prayed about how I wanted to show up in the world and be of service with art and storytelling as the platform. Once I got clear and intentional, opportunities began to open up. I landed a position as producer for CultureShift on WDET 101.9FM—Detroit’s NPR station, started freelance writing and moderating artist panels for Essay’d Detroit, produced an immersive 10-episode podcast called Detroit: Intersections, and so much more.
I grew up seeing my Mom’s resilience, intellect, and strength. Even if we didn’t understand it at the time, there was a solution-based mentality present. Purpose. As I got older, the approach became innerstanding my ‘why,’ revisiting and revising as I grow, learn more, and evolve. That guides me. I also have some of the most solid, supportive, smart, funny, talented, authentic people in my tribe—that kind of “friends become family” love is indescribable. And I always hear my brother Rob’s voice, “keep going, Toi.” We learn from the hits and leverage them to get to the wins. Appreciation and gratitude builds from that.
All of that feeling and journeying, turn it all into art, some kind of way.
Today, I am the communications and advancement content specialist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and have a freelance career that, in addition to writing, includes short film, voice acting, and working in the oral history and archival space.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m fueled by artistic expression and what the arts can lead us to investigate, discover, reveal, feel, imagine, and reimagine. So my approach and navigation through life is very much through an artistic and human lens. I’m naturally curious so it feels good working in areas that depend on research, listening and asking questions, deep observation, having versed conversations and connecting with people. Then, retreating to quiet and solitude to begin the next part of the process: reviewing and digesting the information, brain dumping, and seeing where all that exploration and collecting leads to. Discovering the heart of the story, and writing/creating from that space.
This journey is filled with twists and uncertainties, colorful and dimmed seasons, but I’m proud of never giving up. Never denying myself the freedom to explore, pursue, try, and expand. Blessings reside in being teachable and embracing the ever-becoming and blooming. And man! My tribe; my inner-circle is filled with love, authenticity, and creativity on many levels. Very smart, beautiful people with good energy and spirit.
What feels absolutely amazing is that who I am (in all its versions) and what I do makes my family proud. It’s a blessing.
I wrote a story for Outliermedia.org on Black cultural preservation in a time of erasure and my grandmother texted me and expressed her appreciation and what arose for her after reading it. We hopped on the phone and had a beautiful conversation about history, Blackness, her upbringing and curiosities. The story had an impact on her. That meant the world to me. It reaffirms my dedication and passion for this work and evolving as a storyteller and creative producer.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Wow. It’s such a collective and collaborative journey.
From professional to personal, overall growth and artistry, the individuals that come to heart and mind have been instrumental in various stages of my life. Here goes to keeping it brief:
My Mom. I’ve always been the artsy, moody, abstract kid and she nurtured this path of creativity and allowed me to fight through and find my way, and find “me.” Through absolutely everything—the roughs and the glories— my mom has been and is still right here: caring, guiding, protecting, loving unconditionally.
My big brother Robbie (Rob)! Our sibling hood is one of the dopest experiences and I am so happy that we have each other. Watching him overcome obstacles and accomplishing his goals is super uplifting and inspiring. Rob is so cool and just smooth. I always say it’s impossible to not feel good and just vibe when he’s around. He’s helped me through some tough situations, and it’s just a blessing to know that we are rock solid and can be exactly who we are with each other through every stage and mood of life. And maaaan, we have a good, good time! Lol
My little cou-sis Bundlez. Pure inspiration, intellect, and creativity.
Ms. Denise Lee: introduced me to Ntozake Shange in middle school and I’ve been a student of her work ever since. My trilogy is Shange, Sanchez, and Giovanni.
D. Denege Akpem: I took her Black Arts Movement course in college and it spoke volumes. I still have the course catalogue and reference it. Her presence was my introduction to afro-futurism. The class served as another foundational point for my understanding of how the arts can be used to serve communities and awaken consciousness. How it’s more than just observing for entertainment, but really digging into and unpacking the messaging. Art is powerful.
Zondra Hughes: “Dare to do bold things” was the note she left on my desk when she moved on from N’Digo. That instruction has not left me.
Kyra Kyles: Phenomenal example of leadership, creativity, and leaning all the way into your strengths.
Jada Russell: I gained more knowledge and exposure to the depths of Chicago’s Black arts and cultural history. Alongside her, I worked on amazing community projects, exhibitions, and city festivals. We were all over the city working hard and having a ball.
Steve Panton: sharpened my voice in arts writing as a contributor to Essay’d Detroit.
My brother Daniel (Dango Forlaine) Cuffie: definitely influential in my poetic artistry and his fearlessness is inspiring.
The fellas: truly seeing me, growing me, hearing me, lifting me up, and having my back:
Stephen Becton
Matt Morgan
Zachary Cunningham
Charles Kennedy Jr.
Rashard Dobbins
This feature is an honor in many ways. My Uncle Darrin was featured in Voyage LA, September 2019 discussing his record company, Break Through Music Group. He passed December 30, 2019. We hugged and had a beautiful energy exchange for the last time that November. Uncle D was so cool and carried uplifting vibes, mad talented. He followed my career and spoke so much life into me. I interviewed him once for a blog I ran during my time with N’Digo. We had plans for collaborations. In a way, this is also honoring him and conversations we’ve had. Love.
The collaborations, brainstorm sessions, tough conversations, sharing of music and art, I’m thankful for it all. None of this blooming and growth is done alone. The ultimate credit goes to the Most High.
and so much ain’t done yet
an’ so much been accomplished
so much bloom to go tho’…
I am grateful.
– toi
Contact Info:
- Website: https://latoyacross.contently.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toizstory
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Toi.Talese/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoyacross/
