By: Tomika Anderson, Principal – Manifest Greatness Media, LLC.
As I sat in a rocking chair, cradling my newborn child, my life felt like it had been turned upside down. Just a few weeks earlier, I had been an entertainment and lifestyle writer in New York City, interviewing stars like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Serena Williams. Now, I found myself in the quiet suburbs of Washington, D.C., a brand-new single mother with no clear idea of how I would support myself or my son. The bustling lights of Manhattan had faded, and all that remained was the uncertainty of my future.
The transition from the fast-paced world of entertainment to the unknown territory of D.C. felt daunting. My career had been my anchor for so long, and now I was faced with the reality of needing to reinvent myself, not just for me, but for my child. With no clear path ahead, I did what I knew best—I reached out to those who had supported me throughout my life.
My mentor’s recommendation to read ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill marked a pivotal moment. Initially hesitant, I embraced the challenge, trading children’s stories for this transformative book as I lulled my son to sleep.
And the timing couldn’t have been better.
A Shift in Mindset: The Power of the Mastermind
“Think and Grow Rich” is more than just a guide to financial success—it’s a blueprint for the mind. It introduced me to the concept of a mastermind group, a small circle of individuals who help each other achieve their dreams through mutual support and accountability. This concept spoke to me deeply. I realized that I needed to reshape my mindset and open myself to new possibilities.
It also made me appreciate the importance of connections. I had always maintained a strong network of friends, colleagues, and mentors, especially through social media, where I stayed connected with classmates from the University of Virginia, my alma mater. And so, in my time of uncertainty, I leaned into these relationships.
One of the people I reached out to was Bryn Johnson from Cadre Consulting, a dear friend and trusted advisor. He suggested something I had never considered before—government contracting, or GovCon. It seemed so far removed from my experience, but I kept an open mind. Another friend, Erica Blount Danois, introduced me to my first real opportunity in GovCon, connecting me with a communications specialist role with the Family Youth and Services Bureau (FYSB) via the Department of Health and Human Services.
From Hollywood to the Federal Government: Bridging Two Worlds
Transitioning from interviewing celebrities to government contracting presented a unique challenge. With a decade in entertainment, writing for major publications and producing for TV, adapting these skills to government’s distinct needs was a new venture.
But it turned out that the ability to tell a great story, tap into an extensive network, manage key relationships, and create impactful content was exactly what the Bureau needed for its Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign. I leveraged my entertainment-industry relationships to bring in top-tier talent like Iyanla Vanzant from OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network), WNBA players, and actors of various ethnicities and backgrounds to help the government craft a powerful narrative aimed at helping young people from all backgrounds avoid pregnancy and STDs. It was a significant departure from the world of celebrity interviews, but was it really?
In launching FSBY’s communications campaign, I utilized my extensive media skills—from developing leadership talking points to managing stakeholder groups—demonstrating a smooth transition from entertainment to government work. And I enjoyed it—more than I expected. I was able to harness my creativity and relationships to make an impact, not just for one campaign but the greater good. It was the beginning of a new chapter in my career, and soon, GovCon became my primary focus.
Betting on Myself: Taking a Leap of Faith
At a GovCon firm, I enhanced DLA’s IT systems with strategic communications and change management, simultaneously advancing my passions in travel, coaching, and PR by continuing to engage with mainstream media and VIP clients. After eight rewarding years at the GovCon firm, I faced a career crossroads due to a layoff. Despite the uncertainty, I was determined to forge a new path.
After careful consideration, I launched my own GovCon consulting practice, leveraging my skills and network to serve a broad client base, including previous GovCon partners. Since then, I’ve gone on to consult with big names like Microsoft, prestigious national nonprofit organizations, and, yes, federal, state and local contracting companies. I’ve helped my clients and even myself land major thought-leadership-oriented media opportunities in prestigious outlets like Forbes, Good Morning America, USA Today, and the Today Show.com. My passion for helping others solve problems through the lens of strategic communications, project management, change management, public relations and more is now, front and center, the focus of my career.
Beyond consulting, I contribute as an adjunct professor at American University, where I teach storytelling and career development.. I was inspired to do this work by being tapped, during my early GovCon years, by organizations as impactful as the United Nations, to help represent the United States in Africa by helping build media capability among aspiring journalists in countries where freedom of expression does not exist. This included developing curriculum and conducting training that would ultimately be shared throughout the continent.
Transitioning from the glamour of entertainment to the intricate world of government contracting and onto independent consulting, my journey has been fueled by resilience, an open mind, and the willingness to embrace change. The principles of “Think and Grow Rich” have been my guide, teaching me the value of masterminds, collaboration, and a transformative mindset. These lessons have propelled me through each phase of my professional life.
Today, I am focused on using my talents to serve others. Whether it’s working with the U.S. government on critical social impact initiatives or providing digital transformation guidance and leadership as I did at DLA, service is at the core of everything I do. Helping companies discover their potential, in the ways they most need it, brings me the kind of satisfaction my previous career did. Who would have thought?
