Meet Jerry ThompSon III of Point Noir Podcast in Dallas, TX

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry ThompSon III.

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Jerry. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I have always been curious about the world and its many cultures, but I really became an adventurer when I quit my first job after college and bought a one-way ticket to Paris, France. While there, I traveled through Africa with the US Department of State, learned French, taught black history for a year as a tour guide and ultimately transformed how I saw myself as a man of color and the world. The way I was perceived abroad was so much more positive and welcoming of who I was than my experiences in the USA.

By the time I returned to the states in 2016, these realizations had become permanent. I had bolder ideas, higher self-worth, a thirst for more than the status quo in society. I knew that international travel could be a catalyst for other men from marginalized communities to realize their potential. It was also clear that taking a career hiatus and a one-way ticket abroad was not in the cards for everyone. Heck, it was scary for me too. I wasn’t able to easily find examples of other men of color traveling the world successfully, and this added to the fear of the unknown.

In 2018, I learned of a podcasting platform that was free and pretty easy to use. I had never hosted a podcast before, but it seemed interesting. When thinking of topics I was passionate about. Travel came to mind. In doing my research, I was surprised to see that there were no other podcasts exclusively for men of color. So I set out to inspire and encourage other men of color like me to see the world through podcasting. The name “Point Noir” came to mind; essentially meaning “the black meetup spot.” It is my way of creating a resource of travel examples that I lacked before my first adventure. More men of color need to be exposed to travel, and it’s easier to envision yourself doing something new when you’ve seen someone similar to you be successful first. On top of that, I wanted to ensure that men were traveling so I decided to sponsor a man of color to get his passport every single month for free.

In only a year, we’ve been able to sponsor 12 men of color to get their passports and share the diverse travel perspectives of over 50 men of color as well. Consistency is the main reason the show has continued to grow. The show launches every Tuesday on all major podcast platforms (iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.). Entering this second year, I’d love for the message that men of color DO travel to continue to grow, and also find new ways to support this growing community. I’d love for you to join us at the Point!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being an independent and solo podcaster is an entire set of skills. Some people have co-hosts, or a team, or are sponsored but I do everything myself. Finding guests, recording, editing, publishing, and then promoting a show on a weekly basis is demanding. In addition, I have to improve as a host!

Guests don’t reply to my DM’s or forget to schedule their interview. My call-in apps have failed me more than twice, which takes up my time and my guest’s time. I do my own editing, which is usually another 3 hours for every hour of audio. It’s a job.

I think the challenges I’ve had are things all podcasters experience, though. Overall, the biggest struggle has been growing an audience from scratch. It’s required a lot of patience to give listeners time to discover the show and decide they like it and want to share it. You have to consistently stay in front of your audience and adding value. Because I’m a one-man show, I don’t always have time to execute the great marketing ideas I have because I still need a show to come out every week. If I hadn’t done this show weekly for a whole year, I wouldn’t have the listenership I have now.

Please tell us about Point Noir Podcast.
My company/project is a podcast called Point Noir. It’s a platform that encourages men of color to experience travel, as a catalyst for their personal growth. I am the host of the show, and I interview men of color about their travels and life perspectives. Additionally, the show sponsors a man of color to get his passport every month.

The thing I’m most proud of is having a platform that directly empowers people through passport sponsorship. Each passport winner now has a literal world of opportunities they didn’t have before. Even if it’s was one passport we gave away, I’d feel great knowing I made a difference for that one winner.

Additionally, Point Noir is the only travel podcast that exclusively highlights and celebrates men of color who travel the world. It’s important that this space be present for those (like myself) who can relate and learn from it. These narratives need to be collected and shared.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t do anything differently if I started over. I approached the project as a learning opportunity, and without the new challenges, I wouldn’t be the expert I have become on podcasting, being a show host, and building a meaningful platform.

Pricing:

• You can sponsor a passport (or passports) for $160 each
• You can contribute to the show in general for any amount

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/pointnoirshow
• Email: kimonojack@pointnoirshow.com
• Instagram: @pointnoirshow
• Facebook: @pointnoirshow
• Other: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/point-noir/id1394215522?mt=2

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