A Piece of the Pie | Tola Lawal

Have you heard of MTV? BET? Or, perhaps typed #reservationfor10 into your Instagram searches? Here at the Dinner Table, we have the pleasure of introducing the master mind of a woman that connects them all, Tola Lowal. Tola entered the media business in full force from her freshman year of college and continues to exceed in the field, when recently she began her own company. She is constantly thinking, creating and networking to push herself and the communities around her.

Without further ado her is a peek behind Tola L:

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From going from the Bronx to BET and then founder of your own company, we want to know how did you get started in this field and make your first big break? 

I got my start by interning. While completing my undergraduate degree at Pace University, I interned at Jive records, Epic Records and MTV. I dabbled in everything from traditional Public Relations to Music TV  programming. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I knew exactly where I wanted to be, in Media/ Entertainment.

"Everything happens the way it happens for a reason. While it may be hard at times I am appreciative of my path."

You are constantly letting your creativity lead you down different paths, but what does a typical day/week look like for Tola L.?

I’m usually up between 6 and 7, no matter what time I lay my head down. I just fee better about myself when I'm up early. I either hit the gym or the track, and by 9 I’m at my desk looking at the days to-do list. If I have to hit the city, I try to schedule my meetings in one day. I may attend an event or two per week for leisure… most times I'm working an event. 

Here at The Dinner Table, we are all about expanding the 'dinner table' conversations we have. Most recently, you have been able to spearhead a new dinner series project. Can you tell us how the idea came about?

I just launched an educational dinner series called #ReservationFor10. #ReservationFor10 is as an intimate educational dinner series that aims to bring students together to strengthen their networks and provide the inspiration and motivation needed to help elevate their individual brands to new heights. Students dine with top level Entertainment and Marketing executives excited to help attendees navigate the transition from student to game changer. These dinners create a unique atmosphere that will allow students to form new personal and professional alliances and discover new ways to support each other!

How has the event been received, so far? Where do you see #TheReservationFor10 project going? 

The response has been a bit overwhelming BUT I welcome it. Students from different schools have reached out to inquire about how they can bring this to their student body, and my peers have reached out to inquire about speaking on just to offer their support. Its been great! 

Closely similar to your most recent endeavor, the Dinner Table's campaign is trying to expand the narrative of black women in media. How has the representation of black women in television impact you?

It makes me want to put my best foot forward every single day in everything that I do. While some consumers can differentiate real life versus what the media chooses to show, a lot cant. I think that’s what makes me want to go extra hard in making sure that our young females recognize the difference between “Reality TV” and “Real Life”. I want to introduce them to successful women in media (on and off camera) who move with integrity. 

If you had to do it all over again, is there anything that you would do differently? 
Nope. Everything happens the way it happens for a reason. While it may be hard at times, I am appreciative of my path. I wouldn’t change a thing. 

What words of wisdom would you impart on anyone hoping to follow in your shoes?

One of my favorite quotes is from Christopher McDougall. He says “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.” No matter what – get up everyday and hit the ground running.

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Written by Shani Paul