Life and Work with Megan “Harperspeaks” Harper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan “Harperspeaks” Harper.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Megan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I go by the name Harper. Lol, weird I know. I’m originally from Chicago, IL and growing up, I’ve lived in Winston Salem, NC, St.Louis, MO and then, heading to college at Prairie View A&M University. There, I majored in Mass Communications and Business Administrations with goals of becoming a radio personality. I’ve grown up in radio majority of my life starting in Chicago shadowing one of my mentors better known as “Trey Da Choklit Jok” that was his radio name. He introduced me to radio and got my foot in the door to learn about everything that we don’t see. I remember being 9 years old in the studio, watching him interview artists, and learning how he would manage recording his show, commercials, taking winners for contests all at the same time, at least that’s what it seemed like to me. It was crazy, he called me up there to the studio one day and I remember it was my birthday weekend and my parents used to take turns dropping me off and picking me up, but this time, they both came and Omarion was there and I completely lost it. I was a fan of B2K and the annual Scream Tour was in Chicago and my cousins and I all planned to go. It was the greatest surprised then and I’m still thankful for the moment and my relationship with Trey now.

To fast forward, I’ve always had a passion for radio and always picked up a mentor in every city I’ve lived in. During undergrad, I’ve interned pretty much at every major radio company in Houston while also working part-time at Michael Kors at the outlets near #PrairieView and that’s how I hustled to make a name for myself here. I interned first at Radio One 97.9 The Box — that’s when I first launched my blog with help of the PD Terri Thomas, later interned at KRBE 104.1 with the Roula & Ryan Morning, and lastly 93.7 The Beat where I landed my first paid job LOL. It wasn’t the most paid job but boy was I the happiest to finally be getting some type of income. I honestly didn’t even care I just loved being inside of a radio station. The closer I got to learn all aspects of the industry, really excited me especially when I got my first chance to put what I learned to work. That’s when I took on a position as the Breakfast Club board operator/producer for the Houston market at 93.7 The Beat. That was a huge step for me and one of my most favorite jobs!

A year after working that position, I took a leap out on faith and relocated to Atlanta with hopes to get a full-time gig in radio and get my masters at Georgia State but boy that wasn’t God’s plan for my life and I grew to be OK with that. I stress that because my time alone in Atlanta away from my friends and family I learned SO MUCH about myself – BY MYSELF and I cherish that time so much. After living in Atlanta for two years, freelancing and working for the legendary Ed Lover podcast at DJ Drama’s Meanstreets studios, I got into graduate school at Purdue University and I got a chance to move back to Houston relaunch my website and brand and be still to allow God to continue to move me in the direction he wants me in. I couldn’t be happier and content with life right now and I’m really at a good place taking one day as it comes.

That’s “harperspeaks” for now! Be on the look out for my website dropping soon – iamharperspeaks.com – follow me on ALL social media platforms @harperspeaks I look forward to connecting with all reading this soon!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Like I mentioned, I moved out to Atlanta with absolutely no plans, it was a leap of faith and I was trusting God. I had applied to schools prior too but didn’t get into the school that I wanted to and I didn’t want to settle. I made the best out of being in Atlanta that’s for sure. I got in shape like nobodies business, I was in the gym heavy to keep from letting my emotions take over the fact that things weren’t going how I wanted them versus on how God planned. I went to LA Fitness almost every day and Arden Garden, a popular juice shop out there, I was at a kickboxing class about 2 days a week. Then, I started classes online with Purdue University which was a blessing because things finally started making sense and right before then, I got on with Ed Lover working his podcast show which was the best thing that happened to me while out there. It leads to great memories and experiences working with David Banner, Jaquees, his producer Krista Hayes, Jasmine Guy, Nick Grant, and taping for The Ricky Smiley Morning Show and his television show – which was a cool experience.

One of my greatest memories was being able to apply the connections I made in Houston while interning and coming up Bun B and his wife Queenie were in Atlanta and Ed was interested in interview Bun. I was able to contact Queenie from meeting her through DJ Superstar and DeviDev. She’s just mad cool that’s all I can say she gives off such genuine, real, straight up vibe that I just love. (Love me some Queenie!) Anyway, I got Ed that interview and I was happy to be able to set that up little ole me!

Some advice I would give is to never give up on whatever your passion is. Be smart, don’t always follow your heart because sometimes our hearts make decisions based on emotions. So, allow God to work, in the meantime, stay busy towards working towards a goal. NETWORK – I can’t stress that enough sometimes things happen because people know you and you don’t even know they know you or your work or simply what you’re about. Lastly, remain prayerful, faithful, and humble even when you get further or accomplish the next step towards a higher goal always remain humble never get in the way of your own blessings.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with iamharperspeaks.com is a personal fashion and lifestyle blog. – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I work in radio in Houston. I also work on my brand day/night whether it’s working towards hosting events, fashion shows, even college seminars or brunches. “HarperSpeaks” is someone who loves to talk! The name speaks for itself – I’m inspiring, relatable, and not ashamed of keeping it real.

You can learn more about me on #Instagram @harperspeaks that’s how most people have learned about me without me formally introducing myself or #Twitter as well.

I love to connect with my followers, get together in partnership for a future project, volunteer in the community is one of my favorite things to do it’s like going to church or yoga it really centers and humbles me.

Something I’m most proud of is being able to give back and be present in the different communities that I’ve grown up in. Lastly being able to launch my website and brand at a young age and have the courage to still put effort in keeping it updated.

Something that sets me apart from others is I’m very risky, I’m not afraid of no, and I’m always down for the cause! Just call me a rebel! LOL!

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Definitely, I’m laughing as I’m typing this response. I grew up as the only girl and I’ve ALWAYS talked a lot. There are some of the elementary teachers that are friends with me on Facebook and they knew I would be working in the communications field – they would bring up comments on my page like, “I remember when you never stopped talking!”

Most importantly, my role model, my mom. Growing up, I got to see her front row sacrifice on every level that still to this day I couldn’t think about doing half the things that she’s done. She’s one of a kind. From going to school getting her masters, being a wife, a mom, providing for our immediate family plus her mom and family members around her. She’s the most selfless, hardworking, Christian woman I know and I knew growing up, I had to take big steps, and big sacrifices to become half the woman she is ONE DAY.

Contact Info:

• Website: iamharperspeaks.com
• Email: info@iamharperspeaks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harperspeaks/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarperSpeaks/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/harperspeaks?lang=en
• Other: https://www.milqmag.com/news/2018/4/11/get-the-look-beyonce-inspo

Image Credit:
@FarranManuel

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.