What happens when a passionate broadcaster with a dream to be the next Robin Roberts transforms the media landscape for BIPOC and QTPOC creatives? Join us on "Was it Chance" as we dive into the inspiring journey of Anna DeShawn, the trailblazing force behind E3 Radio and The Qube. Discover how Anna's visionary drive and relentless pursuit of inclusivity are reshaping digital media and giving voice to those who need it most.

Anna DeShawn is a celebrated multi-award and Ambie-winning podcast producer and host from Chicago, known for her pioneering work in media. She founded E3 Radio in 2009, an online station for queer music and news, and co-created The Qube, a platform for BIPOC and QTPOC creatives. Recognized by the Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame and Equality Illinois, Anna is a trailblazer in digital media.

In our interview, Anna shares her journey from aspiring broadcaster to media innovator, discussing her passion project turned full-time gig, E3 Radio, the creation of The Qube, and her mission to amplify marginalized voices. She also reflects on the challenges of unlearning corporate behaviors, redefining success, and managing her creative flow.

Check out Anna’s website or Instagram. Be sure to catch Queer News on TikTok.

• Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.


• More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files
  


• More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales
  

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

• In 2009 Anna started E3 Radio as a radio host who wanted nothing to do with podcasting. She was a “serious” broadcaster.


• Anna wanted to be Robin Roberts (the only Black Woman she had ever seen doing this work) She went to school to learn how to do that and ended up working on online broadcasting in the corporate space. E3 Radio was a passion project on the side.


• It’s important to ask yourself what is the worst-case scenario. Is that really that bad?


• Get a copy of The Big Leap (get a copy here!) if you’re looking to step into your zone of genius.


• It’s easier for Anna to give “of” herself than to give “to” herself and there is not enough content out there at the intersection of race and sexuality. She saw a gap and decided to fill it.


• The QUBE is a podcast production company and a curated platform for Black and Brown podcasts. The QUBE is to podcasting what BET was to television.


• Balance comes because things ebb and flow - they have to.  


• There has been real work in unraveling what “corporate” says is successful vs. what we actually know to be successful for us.


• Learn how to manage freedom. Anna works best when it’s dark outside so she arranges her schedule to accommodate that.


• The biggest challenge for Anna has been “unlearning” bad corporate behavior.


• “What does success mean to me today?” It may change and be redefined over and over again.


• Anna had to learn to own failure because you can’t have success without failure. There is no failure, only feedback. Now she sits on new ideas to see how they develop and transform.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices