Meet Ivanna Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivanna Williams.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ivanna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a graduate of the University of North Texas. Converged Broadcast Media major. During my senior year, I worked as a Social Media Intern at CW33. Shortly after, I began working as a General Assignment Reporter in Southwest Oklahoma. A year later, I packed my things and moved to Los Angeles.

Seeing the normalization of the cannabis industry was such a culture shock to me, but I quickly realized something was missing. I didn’t see enough visual representation of Black and Brown people. The images I saw of people working in the industry, and consuming cannabis were so overwhelmingly white — which leads me to the work I’m doing today.

Whether it’s a CBD product review or a local cannabis event, I’ve met and partnered with some amazing Black women in the cannabis media space.

Currently, I’m working on a team project that will highlight women of color working in the cannabis industry and I’m so excited for the finished product!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I come from a traditional, hard news background. To step away from that to pursue my dreams of acting and hosting and working in the cannabis industry definitely came with some challenges. These industries are fickle, and full-time, permanent employment with benefits is not guaranteed.

I came from the South working one job, to having to work two and three jobs.

Then, I lost my father in March of 2018 to cancer and had to put a lot of things, including my career, on pause, briefly.

I’ve absolutely doubted myself here and there but I know that I have the skills and resources to be successful!

What do you do? What do you specialize in?
I am an actress, host, producer and cannabis connoisseur.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have many, actually. Growing up, I would always fantasize about taking acting classes in Los Angeles, consistently learning about the craft. For the past two years, I really immersed myself in more classes I ever imagined I’d be able to take—from commercial classes to standup writing and performance.

I took a huge chance and dove headfirst in the cannabis industry. I even wrote a post on my Instagram (@HeyImIvanna) about being so nervous to follow that path. Growing up in Dallas, I was taught that it was a gateway drug—and it doesn’t help that it’s still federally illegal.

Once I moved to Los Angeles, I began to try out low-THC and CBD products and I’m so grateful that I’ve learned to have a healthier outlook on something as amazing as cannabis! I’m proud to work in the cannabis media space!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ivannawilliams.com
• Instagram: @heyimivanna
• Twitter: @heyimivanna

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