Meet Emmanuel Daughtry | Journalist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emmanuel Daughtry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emmanuel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Throughout college, I involved myself in every form of media possible. I started my own podcast (in 2017 before podding was popular.) I started a blog that gained traction fast. I emcee’d events on and off campus. I worked at the most popular radio station in the tri-state-area. I even threw parties that I was DJ at. The stage name “MannieOnTheScene” became more than an individual; it became a brand.

I wore a lot of hats, but I was still a broke college student. I had a good job, sure, but I was ready to monetize my ‘popularity’ aside from my job in radio. I started off making t-shirts with my logo on it. I carried those shirts to all the events I would attend and I sold out within days. The ladies styled it their own way and the fellas wore it too. I knew I had something big on my hands. I had to restock that first shirt twice, then other designs were born… then stickers… then socks!

Clothing is certainly a side hustle for me. I don’t want people to think of clothing when they hear MannieOnTheScene, I want them to think of the multimedia platform that I’ve created from emceeing, DJing, journalism writing, and interviewing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The title journalist is very watered down these days… Anyone with a smartphone can wake up, write something in social media, next thing you know there’s “media personality” in their bio.

It’s much more than being able to write well. It’s much more than articulating your opinion. It’s about integrity and passion behind having your voice heard.

I discovered the passion for journalism in high school where I would host all of the schools assemblies. I loved emceeing and being able to control the crowd. Reading off a script is one thing but being able to improvise and banter came easy to me. I later found out that it was a skill. I thought I was just being myself.

Senior year is was time to start thinking about college. In all honesty, I didn’t even think I was going to college. My grades sucked in high school. I didn’t clean it up academically until maybe half way through junior year. I knew the big name schools were completely out of the question. Ms.Bickham, who acted as an advisor, helped me tremendously with deciding what my next chapter in life would be.

I didn’t know anything about college. She sat me down and we discussed my passions and what I wanted to do in the future. I described how much I loved being behind the microphone and she pointed me to journalism. She explained that it was the same as being behind the microphone just on paper instead…

The rest is history.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Such a tough question… It would depend on the friend! Personally, I love to have a drink, meet new people, and dance. I’m still discovering places to do that. I love Brooklyn. I’m the type to take the train to maybe Bedford Ave and just walk around to figure it out.

A good time would be checking out a comedy club like Caroline’s. Who doesn’t love to laugh?

If I’m feeling adventurous then I would want to hit one of the museums. The Museum of Natural History is fire and big enough to visit more than once.

Now if I’m feeling ratchet, then it’s Dykemen all the way. That’s party central haha.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother, my biggest fan, my confidant, and much much more. First shoutout goes to her. She’s stuck by me in all the stupid decisions I’ve made and applauded anyway. She’s looked out for me in more ways I can explain and one day I’m gonna buy her that Maserati she always wanted.

I have to give a shoutout to all of my friends and those who support me. I’m big on loyalty and those in my circle have showed nothing but that. To all the creatives that have worked with me, y’all also make me better. My network is the one thing I’m most proud of. If this all went to sh** today, I can hold my head up high knowing y’all held me down.

To my alma mater, William Paterson University… you molded me! Thank you for the memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t attend.

Special thanks to Tashi… Love her like cooked food

Website: https://linktr.ee/MannieOnTheScene

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mannieonthescene?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanueldaughtry

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC6MlFGz4hWhr4kYIw-nR3jw