Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelai Graham.
Hi Michelai, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
For as long as I could write, I knew I’d be a writer. Storytelling has always been my passion. It started with poetry and journaling as a kid, then evolved into the school newspaper and yearbook in high school, and just kept growing from there. I never really had to choose journalism; it chose me.
I pursued that passion formally, earning a B.A. in Journalism and a B.A. in Media & Information from Michigan State University, then completing my M.A. in Journalism and Public Affairs with an emphasis in Investigative Reporting from American University.
After a handful of internships during college, my professional career officially started in Washington, D.C., where I reported on tech, startups, and entrepreneurship. That’s where I really sharpened my editorial instincts and learned how to cover an industry with both depth and speed. From there, I made my way to New York, joining Boardroom, where I spent nearly five years and rose to Senior Entertainment Editor and On-Camera Host. This role taught me that I had a knack for on-camera storytelling, which I had never recognized in myself before.
Now, ten years into my career, I’m doing it all as a freelance journalist, on-camera host, and content creator, covering entertainment, Formula 1, tech, and lifestyle. The medium has evolved, but the mission has always been the same: find the story, tell it well, and make people feel something.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not even close, and I think anyone who tells you their journey has been smooth is leaving out the most important parts.
I’m actually in my second full-time freelance stint, and each time has come with its own set of challenges and surprises. Freelancing is unpredictable in ways that are hard to fully prepare for. Nothing is consistent, nothing is guaranteed. You’re constantly pitching your ideas, advocating for your own value, and acting as a middleman between outlets and brands when larger coverage opportunities arise. You have to work hard just to create the conditions for work. That mental and emotional load is taxing.
The most recent chapter hit particularly hard. In February 2026, I was laid off from Boardroom — a place I gave everything to. My blood, my sweat, my tears. I had built something there that I was genuinely proud of, and then, in an instant, it was gone.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t devastated. I felt embarrassed. I felt shame, even though I knew, logically, I had nothing to be ashamed of. I had worked so hard to get to that level, and to have it disappear the way it did was genuinely disheartening.
But that experience also taught me something I needed to learn: that these jobs, no matter how much you pour into them, are never fully yours. A title can be taken. A company can close a chapter without warning. And if you’ve been betting on an institution to validate your worth, you’re always one decision away from losing everything you built.
So I chose to bet on myself instead. To take everything I’d learned — the editorial instincts, the on-camera experience, the relationships, the range — and build something that couldn’t be taken from me in a single meeting. Freelancing is hard. But this time around, it feels different. Because this time, I’m not doing it while waiting for the next full-time role to save me. I’m doing it because I trust myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a journalist, on-camera host, content strategist, and content creator with ten years of experience telling stories across tech, entertainment, Formula 1, culture, and lifestyle. I currently freelance for Esses covering F1 and EBONY Magazine covering entertainment, lifestyle, and sports, while also producing original content for my own platforms. I specialize in making complex, nuanced topics feel accessible, exciting, and culturally relevant. Whether I’m writing a reported feature, scripting and shooting a short-form video, or hosting on camera, I bring the same level of care, rigor, and voice to everything I touch.
What I’m most proud of is the organic community I’ve built online. I’m not chasing a follower count. I’m not jumping on every trend to go viral. I’m intentional about the information I share, and I want my work to actually resonate with people. I’ve conceptualized original content series like Off Track Yap, where I break down F1 culture, and The Weekly Buzz, where I shave my head on camera and talk about my week, current events, and everything in between. People have come to know and recognize these verticals as mine, and that kind of loyalty and support takes time to build.
What sets me apart is that I’m not afraid to be vulnerable. I’m not afraid to publish an unpolished video. I’m not afraid to get on camera with no makeup. I use my platforms as my digital diary; raw, transparent, and real. I’m known for showing up as the person I truly want and need to be, and I think that’s what people connect with most. In a space full of highlight reels, I’m choosing authenticity, and my community keeps showing me that it’s exactly what they need to see.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success, to me, has never been about accolades, titles, or follower counts; it’s measured by impact. Did my work make someone feel seen? Did it spark a conversation, shift a perspective, or give someone language for something they couldn’t quite articulate before? That’s the metric I care about. When a stranger tells me that The Weekly Buzz got them through a hard week, or that my F1 coverage made them feel like they finally belonged in that world, that’s success to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michelaigraham.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/OhMichGee
- Facebook: https://www.tiktok.com/@ohmichgee
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelai-a-graham/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OhMichGee
- Other: https://www.threads.com/@ohmichgee
