USTYLE: Hey there the Husband and Wife Media Guru’s from “Spotlight Over The City.” How are you two doing?
Terri and Stan: We are doing great!
USTYLE: Tell us about “Spotlight Over The City”
Terri and Stan: Spotlight Over The City is THE BEST online/streaming talk show ever, and we feature amazing people in the entertainment industry, entrepreneurs, authors, film makers, community activists and much more! Over the past couple of years, we have had Tito Jackson, Misa Hylton, Israel Houghton, Dr. Jackie Walters, Y’Anna Crawley, J. Prince, Bizzy Bone, Darren Dewitt Henson, Karen Obilom, Candiace Dillard, Vivian Green, Willie Taylor from Day 26 and many other amazing people on our show. Our show is now viewed in other countries such as Ghana, Bangkok, London, Jamaica, New Zealand and More! We stream live from our YouTube Channel, our website, our Facebook and IG pages every Thursday from 7-8:30 PM Eastern Time. Our television production studio is UBroadcast Media located in Camp Springs, Maryland.
USTYLE: I LOVE it!
USTYLE: How did this all begin and Terri why did you decide to join your husband behind the mic?
Terri: Stan started this show on his own back in 2012 while he was living in Atlanta. His very first cohost was Robin Bryant, and they started the Spotlight Movement back then. The show did well in Atlanta for 3 years. Stan moved back to the DMV area in 2016 and in May 2017, he relaunched the show with a new cohost, Dana Dayne (Dana Hicks-Hungerford). Stan and Dana built an amazing following for the show and continued the Spotlight Movement. Dana Dayne’s entrepreneurial life was calling her to move in a different direction, and she departed the show in May 2018. Stan asked Terri to fill-in as his cohost for a couple of weeks until he found Dana’s replacement. Well…what started as a temporary fix has become a huge success. Everyone loves Stan & Terri together, and this Spotlight Movement has taken off to levels we never imagined. Terri has been in corporate america her entire life and had never been in front of a camera, but when Stan needed her to step-up, she did, and now they are the dynamic duo of talks shows!
USTYLE: What was the inspiration to starting “Spotlight Over The City?”
Terri: Stan had moved to Atlanta and was new in town. He wanted to build his network and make his presence known in Atlanta, so he decided to create a talk show.
USTYLE: Terri- was it a hard decision to make when deciding to join in on Stan’s plans for the talk show and how are you able to manage being a mother, wife, professional and podcast host?
Terri: When Stan initially only wanted me to be his substitute co-host, I was somewhat in my feelings about it. While I had never done anything like that before, I felt like I should have been his first choice! LOL. So when he first (finally) asked me to do it, it was not a hard decision at all. I was excited to do it. And I told him that if I’m going to be a part of this, then we’ve gotta have cue cards and guests scheduled well in advance, etc etc. He allowed me to do my thing and we have been inseparable on set ever since. It was very difficult to balance the show in the beginning because I am a Director at a large law firm for my daytime job, and yes I am a mom too. I eventually had to go from full-time to part-time at the law firm so that I could be completely off from work on Thursdays. I dedicated Thursdays to Spotlight Over The City only. Balancing became much easier after making that change.
USTYLE: Very inspiring and a blessing to have a position that you could work the show around.
USTYLE: I love the fact that you never turn off being husband and wife, even in front of the cameras or out doing different events. Why is it important that your audience witness this?
Terri and Stan: We like to show who we truly are, and we like to be an example for black love. It is very important for people to see that a black married couple can work well together and still show love.
USTYLE: After seeing you two work together on different occasions, I must confess your personalities mesh so well together and I would think that helps in having your show gaining its popularity at such a rapid pace. Would you say that is the case and what do you attribute that to?
Terri and Stan: Yes, we agree that our personalities have a really good magnetic energy together. And it does help to have an amazing show when we are able to mesh so well together on and off camera. It’s an organic thing with us. Very natural. We don’t rehearse any of it.
USTYLE: That is what people take away from see you two in action, the transparency in seeing and knowing you both.
USTYLE: How did you two meet? Terri I have heard you explain this before and I think it’s awesome. Please explain it for our audience.
Terri: We met on Facebook in August 2014. I had noticed how many mutual friends on Facebook we had, and I was curious about him. I slid into his Facebook inbox and complimented on his book. He responded “do you have a man?” And here we are 7 years later married forever.
USTYLE: How did you know Stan was the one, because let’s be honest not too many online relationships last beyond 3 months?
Terri: I knew Stan was “the one” before I ever saw him in person. We dated over the telephone and FaceTime for over 6 months. During that time, we built an unbreakable friendship, and I fell in love with him. I do not talk to people on the phone, but with him, I would talk for hours and hours. That was another sign that I knew he was IT for me. There are many other things that made me know that he was the one, but those were the first two early signs.
USTYLE: “Spotlight Over The City” has had some of the most amazing guests on. How do you determine who you will have as guests on the show?
Terri and Stan: Sometimes we hand-select people based on who’s doing what in the entertainment world. Then other times, guests approach us requesting to be on the show, and we vet their brand/talent to determine if they are a good fit for the platform.
USTYLE: How would you describe your hosting style?
Terri and Stan: We are free-flowing, free-spirited, unscripted and very candid. We bring seriousness when needed mixed with lots of laughs and entertainment.
USTYLE: Stan- you recently celebrated a birthday on air. How was that for you?
Stan: It was totally amazing. It felt great to have friends and family there for the live show for them to actually see what I do in person. Even my mom joined that show via Zoom, which was so special to me.
USTYLE: I am sure that was a moment your Mom will never forget either. Beautiful
USTYLE: Terri- Stan is an Author also, releasing “A Gangster’s Cry”. How important is it that you support him outside of Spotlight Over The City with other endeavours that he pursues?
Terri: It is very important that I be his #1 cheerleader, groupie and fan in everything he does. A husband should never ever have to be without 100% support for these types of things as long as he has a wife.
USTYLE: Alright now PREACH Mrs. Long! Lol
USTYLE: Stan- Tell us about the book and where did the inspiration come from?
Stan: A Gangster’s Cry is a relaunch of my 1st book. It is the updated edition of “Transformation of a Gangster”, which was my 1st book. It was re-edited and released again in January 2022. The book is a memoir–based on a true story that is being turned into a film. I changed the title to be more reflective of the upcoming film and then relaunched it so that I could begin gaining traction and attention for the upcoming film!
USTYLE: Oh Wow! Well we anticipate the films release
USTYLE: Terri- can we expect some bestsellers to come from you as well?
Terri: I think the world is going to be shocked with what is coming up next from me regarding this matter. That is all I am able to say right now about that. But I am excited for this next chapter, and there very well may be a best seller coming.
USTYLE: Oh man! So you two been “workin, workin”
USTYLE: What would you two say is the ingredient to staying relevant when there are so many new podcast and talk shows popping up every day?
Terri and Stan: We never focus on other shows. We focus on being the People’s Champ of Media and doing what we do as a couple. We offer something unique being husband and wife, unscripted with a live (unedited) broadcast every single Thursday. We stay in our lane, so we do not see any other shows as competition.
USTYLE: I know you two have some amazing kids. What are their reactions to mom and dad’s work and popularity?
Terri and Stan: The kids are very proud of the show and of what we are doing together as a married couple. Our grown daughters sometimes come to the live show to hangout with us. They love it.
USTYLE: Explain your personalities because when you two get behind the mic and cameras it just all blends in together and flows?
Terri and Stan: We actually have totally opposite personalities! Stan comes from the streets. Terri is from the porch in the country! LOL. Stan is an Aquarian. Terri is a Cancer. Oil & Water. But there’s something magical that comes together with us, especially when we are on set doing the show! We have always been opposite of everything. Terri wants the lights on at home. Stan wants them off. Terri wants her clothes piled everywhere. Stan wants everything neat. Terri is late for everything. Stan insists on being on time for everything. But that solid friendship we established in the very beginning really does trump everything, and it has been the gel for us.
USTYLE: Terri- you bring that bubbling popping energy each and every show. Is there ever a time when it’s just not there for you, if so how did you overcome that and get back to business?
Terri: Yessss… I am an emotional Cancerian woman, and there have been many times when I have had a horrible day leading up to the show. But Spotlight means so much to me that when that countdown to the live show begins, I pull it all the way together. There was one time that I had to step outside of the studio real quick, right before the show went live, to give myself a pep talk. I walked back in and by the time Stan said “ladies & gentlemen…welcome to Spotlight Over The City…”, I was ready. Game Face was on. And then by the time the show ended, I was totally fine. And that’s what happens every time when I have those “not there” moments. You have to pull through when it comes to work.
USTYLE: Yes, with me being a sentimental Cancer as well them emotions can sometimes get the best of us. Lol
USTYLE: Who does the shows formatting each week as it is so well put together or is it a collective task and how do you determine what the format will be?
Terri and Stan: Stan formatted the show a very long time ago. Terri came in and tweaked it here and there. So the show is formatted very well, and Terri produces it weekly.
USTYLE: Has there ever been a time that you were “brain locked” on ideas for upcoming shows?
Terri and Stan: Not really. We always have things to talk about and our amazing guests help us keep this show going like a well oiled engine.
USTYLE: Who would you say has been your most memorable guests on the show?
Stan: J. Prince (CEO Rap-A-Lot Records) is someone I have always wanted to sit down with. I have always admired him, and because he and I have a similar upbringing, I wanted to really connect with him.
Terri: My most memorable guest was actually very recent. Misa Hylton!!! I have always admired her as a fashion icon, a mom and just an overall Boss lady. She and I both love the MCM leather brand, so she’s my new bff in my head.
USTYLE: You guys have so much fun on your show, which is well needed in this day and time. How important is laughter and making sure your guests have a good time when they sit with you?
Terri and Stan: Keeping the energy Fun & Energetic is very important. The few times when the guest might be a little dry, we still have to keep it funny and Lit! We are very funny at home too, so it simply transfers over to the show.
USTYLE: In your own words define your rapid success.
Terri and Stan: It is not really considered rapid from our perspective. Stan created this show back in 2012. A significant amount of work and personal finances have gone into this show. Stan was grinding it out practically by himself back in 2012 in Atlanta, and he put this show on his back. This show has some very humble beginning phases, but God constantly reminds both of us to “keep going”.
USTYLE: Who would you two absolutely love to have behind the big desk with you?
Stan: Stevie Wonder & Jay Z.
Terri: Lauren London & Tyler Perry.
USTYLE: Not too long ago “Spotlight Over The City” hosted an awesome boat ride for the public. Is this something that you plan on doing on a regular basis considering this was such a huge success?
Terri and Stan: Yes indeed. As a matter of fact, August 14, 2022 we are running it back for the 2nd annual Spotlight Summer Sail yacht party. We will have DC Vybe Band, a live DJ, amazing catered food and lots more! We sold the yacht completely out last year!
USTYLE: What are other events and platforms you would like to see “Spotlight Over The City” participate in?
Terri and Stan: We would love to be invited as a media partner for the Essence Festival, Coachella, BET Awards. We’ve got the Broccoli Festival coming up, and we will be out there representing Spotlight Over The City. We’ve also got the National Cannabis Festival coming up as well, and we have always been one of their media partners. One of these days, we will be hosting the Red Carpet for the Grammy’s!
USTYLE: What’s next for you guys? Where would you like to see “Spotlight Over The City” go from here?
Terri and Stan: We are hoping that our show gets picked up by a network like Revolt, Sirius XM, Tidal, Vice TV or something similar. It is very important to us (non-negotiable) for us to be able to maintain our authenticity and be who we are but have a larger platform of listeners and viewers. We do not want to be censored. We will keep our freedom of speech at all costs, so that might limit us from certain broad/national network platforms. God will land us exactly where we need to be though, and we will be ready. We want to be syndicated all over the world. We want to put the “Spotlight” on every city. We plan to tour the U.S. in 2023 in an RV and pull-up in random cities and broadcast the show live! We are waiting for RV and Hotel sponsors to come chase us down. LOL!
USTYLE: Now without skipping a beat, for those that have been living under a rock, where can they catch “Spotlight Over the City”
Terri and Stan: Follow us & SUBSCRIBE on YouTube “Spotlight Over The City TV”. Our website is www.spotlightoverthecity.com
USTYLE: Any last words of encouragement for those reading this article?
Stan: Don’t wait until you have all of your resources to follow your dreams. Just pray and go. Wherever you run out, God will run in.
Terri: Invest in yourselves and in your businesses. You cannot get something for nothing. Investing your time, energy and your finances into your business is essential to success, but always remember that all money ain’t good money.
Y’all the BOMB!!! See you guys soon and much continued success!
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