Name
Prince Baggett, MBA
Position/Institution
Head of Motion Picture, Co-Head Development and Production at Genius Productions
Number of Years
3
Industry
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Alma Mater
California State University, San Bernardino
Hometown
Inglewood, CA
Current City
Hollywood, CA
Social Media
www.instagram.com/princebaggett
Why did you become involved with the National Black MBA Association?
Diversity, representation and inclusion are critical in the entertainment industry. It is one of my top goals to attract writers, directors, and storytellers for Marsai Martin’s company, Genius Productions. At Genius Productions, we plan and execute activities that develop and produce upcoming features. We also make sure to be part of professional organizations that support us in those efforts. The National Black MBA Association brings together individuals with unique voices and backgrounds and allows members to share and connect to resources in a real way.
What is the biggest challenge of working in your industry?
The biggest challenge is entering into an industry that remains unrepresentative of Black creators and executives, especially the studios, to understand stories that matter to us. Although we have made great strides, our stories still center on pain, trauma, and suffering (the slave narrative). Eliminating the single story is sometimes hard to do when there is a myopic view of Black people from others.
What do you consider to be your greatest career (or academic) accomplishment to date?
One accomplishment is selling film and television projects to large companies with a brand that supports and aligns with the diversity goals of Genius Productions. Another one is creating pathways for young writers of color to be heard and seen behind the scenes.
What is an important skill you have developed in your career (or academia)?
Building and maintaining relationships. It is an invaluable skill that enables me to partner with companies, like Kevin Hart and Issa Rae, to create projects representing young people of color.
Who has been the most influential person in your career (professional, academic)?
Marsai Martin. She is a young genius. Martin started at Black-ish and found a way to break norms by being the youngest EP in history and the youngest with a first-look deal with Universal Pictures. Alongside Martin, I create opportunities for those who are overlooked and underrepresented in Hollywood.
Why/When did you decide to pursue a career in your field?
I knew I wanted to work in the entertainment industry when I was in college. I just was not sure whether it would entail music, film or television. But what I did know was that I was excited about creating stories to share with the world early in my career.
What books and/or articles are you currently reading?
This is an interesting question because I am always reading scripts and books that have yet to be released. So, it is hard to speak about them publicly. But I am reading stories that I could turn into a long-form project for either film or television.
What educational or business experiences best prepared you for your career?
My business experiences have taught me to attain desired results by understanding people to manage their expectations. They have also shown me not to allow norms to stop me from shooting for the stars. When I hear someone say, “No” or “That hasn't happened before,” it does not deter me. It just means to continue to persist and forge a new path.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
To simply state it, always be yourself. The voice that we sometimes we dim for others is the same voice that can change the world.