NADIRAH

I am a writer and digital content creator committed to preserving Black history, Hip-Hop history, and pop culture, and finding new ways to tell stories on tv and the Internet.

Raised in New Jersey and currently living and working in New York, I completed my undergraduate career at Rutgers University-New Brunswick in 2016, where I majored in Journalism and Media studies and minored in African Studies. Much of my undergraduate research explored the intersections of Blackness, womanhood and Hip-Hop. 

In 2018 I was inspired to put my love of Hip-Hop, Black history and Black womanhood and my producing and writing skills into practice. I created The Gumbo, an innovative space in media for the creative excellence and activism of Black women in Hip-Hop and a safe haven free of politics. The Gumbo’s goal is to inspire creative leadership and contribute to a cultural shift that reframes, re-energizes, and reimagines Black women and their relationship with Hip-Hop through dynamic content, events and the dissemination of vital information on developments in the genre.

In just three short years, we have amassed nearly 15,000 followers across our platforms, partnered with and received a $25,000 grant from American Express, hosted an event sponsored by Red Bull, been named a Caress & iFundWomen Grant Recipient, and our work has been shared by artists like Missy Elliott, Rico Nasty and Mia X.

The goal is to develop The Gumbo into a leader of the conversations around Black women in Hip-Hop and a resource for their contributions to the genre. 

My career in television began with internships at VH1 and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, respectively, where I learned the ins and outs of production and development, field shoots, guest interviews and more.

In 2016 I joined the team at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, rising up the ranks from Apprentice to the Digital team’s Social Media Manager, now working directly with talent to coordinate, supervise, and strategize social and digital bits. Since beginning at The Late Show, I have produced bits with celebrities like Issa Rae, Method Man, Cedric The Entertainer, H.E.R., and Robert DeNiro, crafted social media content initiatives like #IndoorAppreciationMonth, a day long live Instagram festival on Election Day, a Black History Month series on the history of The Late Show and The Ed Sullivan Theater, a charity holiday robe and more.

In 2019 the Digital team landed its first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Interactive Program.