What is your name and what do you do?

My name is Latoya Bennett-Johnson, and I am the President and CEO of The Strivers Row. The Strivers Row is an artist management and talent-booking agency started by my husband Marcus and me in 2010. Strivers Row has always been one of my favorite areas in Harlem, and I love the history behind it. I also loved the play on words. It takes hard work to row. It takes strength, endurance and focus on your destination. To be someone who strives, is to be someone who works hard and pushes toward a goal. Hence, The Strivers Row.

What is the purpose of your company?

Initially, the purpose of the company was to promote the performance arts through booking shows at colleges and universities, as well as through collaborations with various corporations and public organizations. Since then, we have seen tremendous growth, unlike anything we could have imagined. At this point, I honestly feel like lives are being changed through the art we produce. So, I suppose, our purpose is to strive to change lives, to be catalysts for change in whatever way we can.

How did you get into this business and what's it been like thus far?

I started out managing spoken word artist, Joshua Bennett. After he performed for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at The White House, he was inundated with requests. Last year, we received an e-mail from The Mo'Nique Show and that was the first performance where I traveled with him. During that time, I was contracted as a talent booker and project manager for a performing arts presenter in NYC. Through the Mo'Nique Show experience, I realized that this was not only something I was good at, but really enjoyed. It was a turning a point for me. Once my contract ended, I decided to pursue this full time. From there, I contacted a few of the artists that I had met through Joshua, and the rest is history.

Thus far, it has been a whirlwind! We sold out a 700-seat venue at our very first poetry showcase in January. We have a couple of corporate deals on the table. It is just unreal, and a blessing that I don't take for granted. Sometimes it's tough because we are a family business, and naturally have our disagreements about ad placement, or what content to publish or who to pitch to. But at the end of the day, we aim to do what is best for the company and for our team. So we compromise.

What is your personal, educational and professional background?

I am originally from the Bronx, NY. My artistic career started in childhood through my involvement in Mind-Builders Creative Art Center, which also based in The Bronx. In my teens, a successful audition landed me a place in City Kids -- a non-profit, repertory company located in New York City that produces original, youth-led drama, song and dance performances. I eventually went on to attend Hampton University where I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science. During my senior year, I landed a spot working in Satellite Communications with a NASA program in Colorado. Through that experience I learned that I was not cut out be a programmer; my heart just wasn't in it. After graduation, I used my talent for math and numbers and to get into accounting. However, arts remained my first love – leading me to return to my creative roots as a marketing event manager for a national magazine and, ultimately, as President of The Strivers Row.

Do you have any advice for aspiring young African Americans who wish to follow in your footsteps?

If you are blessed enough to know what you are passionate about early, give it an honest shot. If I had followed my instincts years ago, I may have gotten to this place in my life a lot earlier. Also, know your worth. Being a black woman and having a name that introduces me before I get the chance to, it is essential for to know my worth. I approach every situation as if I have the best product on the market. Don't let anyone asses your value for you. If you invest the effort, time and study to perfect your craft, go for it 100%. We are often taught to look for opportunities instead of making our own.

Can you tell us about some of the artists you represent and how people can find out more about you?

The Strivers Row currently represents six artists. We represent five spoken word artists and one singer. They all inspire me in different ways. The one word I would use to describe the entire team is "passion".

The spoken word artists are Alysia Harris, Jasmine Mans, Miles Hodges, Carvens Lissaint and Joshua Bennett. They are all dynamic, award-winning poets that were featured on the HBO series "Russell Simmons presents: Brave New Voices." They have shared stages with Grammy-nominated artists such as Bilal, Janelle Monae, Black Thought and ?uestlove. They have also performed at a variety of venues and stages including The White House, The Kennedy Center, The NAACP Image Awards, The Mo'Nique Show, The Sundance Film Festival and Lincoln Center. They each bring something different to the table as far as their writing and performance style. They bring life to words and words to life.

Justin Baron is the sole singer/songwriter we represent. When he performs live, it is like nothing I have ever seen. He is an amazing vocalist and plays the piano like his life is on the line. The best way for me to describe his voice is a mix between John Mayer, Jamie Lidell and Gavin Degraw.

You can find out more about us through our website www.thestriversrow.com. We are also on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Bandcamp.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the bookBlack American Money To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To suggest a subject for a Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here.