Reagan Thomas

I attribute my success to being a visual learner. I can go back to high school where people make you feel as if the way you see the world, or the way you tell a story, isn't accurate because it's not how they live their life or they would have approached a situation. And therefore, they try to get you to think more linear, opposed to visuals. So I think it's very important to understand learning styles, because that way you know everybody is different. And for me, being in the classroom, I was fortunate enough to be able to teach them that way. Understanding that everyone has different learning styles and being able to see the world visually, rather than linearly, has been key to my success.

The best career advice I received was from Miss Cicely Tyson, who would tell you to stand up straight when you were speaking to her. I was working on a Tyler Perry movie, and she talked to me about contracts. She said, 'Oh, you expected to come in, me to come in, and just sign this,' like most young people do. They look over contracts quickly because their agents and different people go over them. But she told me, 'Let me tell you, you always stay on your business. You make sure you read everything that comes across.' She said that's what gives you longevity. A lot of times I hear people say, oh, it's the small print, and I always hear her tell me, because unfortunately she's now deceased, but I always hear her say, 'Read it.' She was one of the big African American stars that got Black women started, and she was absolutely amazing.

Think. Always have a strategy, a plan of action. And understand the partnerships. So many times, I've seen people go after something because you like it, but that's not what comes easy to you. You have to do what makes you feel good, because you have to be able to complete the task. Somebody is depending on you and other staff. You're going to change somebody's life, whether it's 10,000 people you touch or whether it's one person. You gotta hone in on that skill, and not just do it because others want that for you.

The biggest challenge is tapping into name, image, and likeness (NIL) and making sure people understand what that means exactly. Making sure that they understand the contractual agreements, and what you're giving up, and what you're stepping into. Parents have their own way and their motivation, kids see it another way, and everybody has this big idea for what to do with this kid. At the end of the day, it's crazy because the world expects this kid to grow up and understand all of this. It's about helping young people navigate these complex agreements and opportunities while managing the different expectations from parents, agents, and others who all have ideas about what's best for them.

I always give young people this advice, and they ask me this all the time: enjoy the moment. So many times when you're doing a project or a program, when you're a creator, it's always about what's next. But I've learned after these 24 years, sometimes you need to enjoy what you do, because you might not get a second chance to do it or to affect the same audience. It's important to be present and appreciate the work you're doing in the moment, rather than always rushing to the next thing.