Forward Spotlight: How Chinyere Anyanwu is Empowering Aspiring Talent, and Shaping Future Stars
JOANNA CHINYERE ANYANWU founded CHI Talent Management in 2020, after an extensive work history spanning more than 15 years in talent representation, casting and producing in New York. Her experiences in casting made her discover that her true passion was nurturing and developing aspiring talent. CHI Talent Management currently has a roster of about 30 clients, many of whom work regularly in the theater, television and film.
She has always been passionate about a diverse arts community and being able to empower and connect people to opportunities that advance and strengthen their careers. Like many in March 2020, her life changed, and she found herself out of her talent management job of 8+ years due to the economic effects of the coronavirus.
What inspired you to start CHI Talent Management, and what sets it apart in the talent management industry?
I founded CHI Talent Management in 2020, after an extensive work history spanning more than 15 years in talent representation, casting and producing in New York. My experiences in casting made her discover that her true passion was nurturing and developing aspiring talent.
I wanted to create the kind of management company that I didn’t see in the industry. The reality is, I know probably about five Black agents or Black managers in the city. I wanted to take that leap of faith to figure out: How can I be part of the solution, as opposed to the problem of the lack of diversity behind the scenes? Also, I’m one of the very few Black agents, managers or casting directors in the business — and setting up my own company, with a roster focused on diverse voices and talent. I took a risk to bet on myself and felt like an important step in an industry working toward making all aspects of the business more inclusive.
Can you share a memorable moment or a success story from your work as a diversity audience consultant for Broadway and Off-Broadway productions?
I work in audience engagement for black theatre productions around New York. I curate community or black theater nights that focus on bringing in diverse audiences of black patrons to attend a play or musical together.
These evenings are always a great time and it’s a joy to experience live theatre and not feel policed or self-conscious in our reactions. We can laugh loudly, be vocal, engage in an authentic response. Kind of like call and response in church. It’s a spiritual experience sometimes.
The fact many of my clients wanted to continue working with me when I lost my job, solidified that I needed to keep moving forward in the right direction. Out of this realization, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Out of this struggle and pain, CHI Talent Management, LLC was born.After years of working on the business side of the industry, I decided to create a management company that empowers and enables my diverse roster to dream and think big. The same way I take a chance on my clients, I took a chance on myself.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
I launched my new company CHI Talent Management in 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, when most of the news coming out of the theater business, and the entertainment industry in general, was pretty grim. My clients kept me inspired to work hard and everyday I’m truly excited about getting to nurture their careers. I also have a strong support system of family, friends and mentors as well.
What impact do you hope to have on the next generation of talent, both in the entertainment industry and beyond?
Part of my goal is to be someone young people just getting into the industry can look to — and the kind of role model I didn’t have in the early days of my career. When I came up as an agent or when I worked in casting before that, there were very few people who looked like me. I’m hoping that people will see my face and that it will inspire more people of color to think, ‘Oh, maybe I can be an agent or a manager or a casting director’.
My mission aims to advise, guide, and empower a diverse array of talent in the entertainment industry. My company’s guiding principles of communication, creativity, and compassion. 3 C’s create the foundation I use to amplify my clients’ careers. In an ever-changing, complex, and dynamic industry, CHI Talent Management strives to reestablish skill, integrity, and leadership within personal talent management.
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