Editors Note: Reel Chicago’s The Reel Black List isn’t just about February—it’s about honoring the Black creatives, leaders, and visionaries who shape Chicago’s film, TV, advertising, music, and media industries year-round. At a time when DEI initiatives face increasing challenges, it’s more important than ever to acknowledge and amplify the voices making an impact. For the next 29 days, we’ll celebrate the incredible contributions of Black professionals across the city. But let’s be clear—Black excellence isn’t just a moment. It’s a movement. It’s 365. Today, meet Quality Meats’ account supervisor, Briana Spears.
Hailing from Harrisburg, PA, Briana currently lives in Chicago, IL. She made the move for her love of the city and the opportunity to tackle the work she longed to do, knowing Chicago would be a building block to her success. Since then she has worked at several agencies honing her expertise in client services, account and project management, internal communication and employee engagement, and DEI strategy. She’s touched several notable brands including Hilton, Citi Bank, Walmart, Janssen, Pfizer, General Mills, KDP, Pandora, and Samsung, among others.
As a current Account Supervisor at creative agency Quality Meats, Briana is passionate about the work she does. Dedicated to making a difference, her lived and learned experiences have equipped her to bring a fresh lens to every room she enters.
Let’s meet her!
What’s your Origin Story?
Today, I live in Chicago, IL but how did I get here? That, my friends, is a question I ask myself constantly. I am originally from a tiny town called Harrisburg, PA – the capitol no less. Think Hershey’s Chocolate and go left. I was raised in a single-parent household by my mother with my older sister. Having grown up in a fairly religious environment – like church 5x a week, 3x on Sunday, religious, I’d say my faith is an integral component of my origin.
To date, I have been in Chicago for 3 years – and counting. Having worked for several leading global agencies as a self-proclaimed account girlie, my background spans both the public relations and now, advertising industries. I have experience in internal communications, employee engagement, agency marketing, and as a champion for diversity, oversight of employee resource groups.
Currently, I work for creative agency Quality Meats, supporting the agency’s Account Management + Growth teams. When it comes to my origin, my story is just starting really. Of course there’s a lot more in between stuff, but you get the idea. I am unlearning and yet learning. That’s the beautiful pain of becoming.
What did you want to be as a kid?
I was a weird kid. Not eat the glue weird but I figured out things most kids hadn’t. Peculiar. Once I grew out of wanting to be everything, I actually wanted to be a journalist. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go into print or broadcast but I always knew how to speak well and loved writing so was interested in both.
How did you choose your career path?
Well, being told my entire life that I talked too much didn’t leave me with many options. Might as well get paid for it. From a young age I can’t think of a time I was not writing, drawing, acting, talking to myself in the mirror – you name it. I always had the gift of gab and I knew from a young age I had to utilize this. I finally understand why some things are SO easy for some people while others are immensely difficult. It’s what you were put here to do. I learned early that I was put here to communicate.
I just didn’t quite know how. Little did I know I’d end up in advertising. Funny enough, my response a few years ago would’ve been the same only I would’ve been talking about public relations. I studied PR in undergrad – followed by a M.S. in management, so my first few post collegiate years were in the industry. That is until I was recruited for a role in the advertising space a few years ago. So really, my career chose me, and I’m exposed daily to new elements of this path I’d like to explore even more.
Describe your creative process.
Honestly, my process is that I really don’t have one. It’s really all about the deliverable. Above all else, music is a creative mandatory. I do my best work – my best anything when I’m listening to music (Lo-Fi Radio). I can actually feel my wpm increase. For me, music takes my mind off having to do the task – and allows the freedom to do the task.
I also learned that my performance is impacted by my environment, as it can hinder my productivity so I invest in having a space that’s conducive. And that doesn’t always mean a pen drop quiet library. For me, the overall aesthetic of my environment matters, too. W
hat’s the vibe giving? For the actual work itself, if I’m writing something, like say these responses at 2 am, I have to write everything out to organize my thoughts. This could be anything from my to-dos for the day so I know what is ahead of me, to outlining questions in a prompt to brainstorming. I write until the words start speaking back to me.
Who inspires you?
Personally? My Grandma. Growing up, she was my best friend – my first friend. She was the first person to believe in me and the only person to ever really make me feel seen. That’s a love you can only hope to experience at some point in your life. The legacy of that love inspires me to keep pushing.
Professionally? This is a man who was the first to ever do it. He shaped the face of the industry and the depiction of Black culture. I recall meeting him in 2019 at The Betsy Plank Center’s Milestone in Mentoring Gala.
An overzealous student, attending due to involvement in PRSSA’s National leadership, I eagerly approached him, nervously introduced myself and asked for a business card to which he nicely yet bluntly responded, “Business cards? For what? I’m retired.” This was met with a slight chuckle telling me to call his office – as he walked away. At least I got to meet him, right? Who might he be? Tom Burrell.
The most unconventional risk you’ve taken in your career.
I moved across the country for work. To the same place. Two times. Net-net of it, I accepted a post-graduate internship with Golin. In Chicago. 12 hours away from everything I knew. Scary stuff. All in January 2020. Want to guess what happened next? Two months in, Covid-19 hit so I went home. In February of 2022, I moved back to Chicago, marking three years on this journey of unconventional risks.
I’ve also made several jumps in my career. I’d like to think I’m a class act and haven’t burned bridges but moving around has positioned me to be perceived as flighty. Too often we are sold on this idea of staying put and playing it safe. Get one job, climb the ladder and retire – which ironically, my mom is in the midst of. I’m grateful she took the traditional route so I could make my own. I’ve learned to do what works for me and the value of advocating for myself, while tending to my needs and mental health.
That must matter more. Unconventional and even risky sure, but without my moves I would not be where I am or who I am. All this said, I’ve had my foundational years to get in, move around, mess up, learn, retain and grow. I now look forward to the emergence of more conventional stability and am eager for the career development opportunities with my current place of employment. Well worth the risk.
Give us a story that’s true but sounds like a lie.
Picture it. It’s 2013. I’m in high school on what would be my last summer break ever. Naturally, I had a summer gig. Not just any summer job but a sweet job. Some might say it’s like the sweetest place on earth even. Working at a popular amusement park, it was a routine day as a ride operator on the electric cars… until it wasn’t.
As a young girl was approaching the end of her ride I was directing her where (and how) to come to a stop to park her vehicle. She must’ve missed that part because next thing I know I’m screaming at the top of my lungs as multiple people attempt to remove the car from atop my FOOT. She ran over my foot. Oh, did I forget to mention that part?
When faced with setbacks, what keeps you going?
Disclaimer: I’m a 65-year-old church mother in a 28-year-old body. Anyone who grew up in church or likes gospel music has heard Jesus is My Help by Hezekiah Walker. Well, that’s my why. I’ve faced many hardships. I’ve endured them all. I don’t know how. I do know who. I’ve resolved that quitting isn’t an option. I’ve never had an option. Pressure makes diamonds. That’s why I keep going.
Twilight Zone Moment – you have a chance to be magically transported into a Spike Lee Joint or a Jordan Peele film. Choose.
Unequivocally, Love and Basketball. Favorite Spike Lee Joint. Favorite Joint. Much like Monica loved Quincy since she was 11 (IYKYK), I too, have loved this movie for about just as long…
Linus has his blanket for comfort, you have…
Music. I sing but I also have a genuine appreciation for listening to music and taking it in as an artform. Such a powerful means of expression, or way to find meaning and the words for what you yourself cannot express. Whether it be a concert or a car ride, music has made me smile at the simple things and helped me through the darkest of days.
What’s on tap for 2025?
More fun! I don’t want to only do what I think I’m supposed to – which is colossal for me. More passion projects and investment in my own creative explorations, which is a self-investment in the long run. So here’s to breaking ground – while giving myself the grace and permission to take breaks when I need them. All that said, there are some exciting personal projects in the works that I’ve kept up top for too long so I’m excited to get some fun work launched here hopefully by Q2.
To see others on The Reel Black List, click here.
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