The Communicator: Sheletta Brundidge

Sheletta Brundidge is the CEO and owner of the production, podcasting and publishing company ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com. Originally from Houston, the mother of four settled in the Twin Cities to raise her family and made the region the headquarters for her company in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. The Emmy award-winning comedian and radio host holds a degree in journalism and inspires, entertains and educates audiences while working to diversify the media industry. 

Outside of the recording studio, Brundidge puts her skillset in public policy to use as a political and social advocate and uses her platform to both spotlight triumphs and draw attention to areas of concern in her community. 

“I am a light,” said Brundidge. “My job is to shine a light on my community, for the celebrations as well as the sorrow, to help uplift Black businesses, Black people, Black families.

“I’ve got a broadcasting network. I’ve got a large following on social media. I have connections to politicians. And I have resources. I’m always looking for ways to help shine a light on people.”

Brundidge’s life has always been an open book—from raising four children as a single mother, three of whom are on the autism spectrum, to what she describes as her amicable divorce from her husband, to the tragedy that beset her family in Louisiana.  

“Being on TV, or on the radio, in the newspaper, it’s just a small thing,” she said. “You don’t see the laundry, and sweeping and mopping, running kids to school. Don’t forget, all that goes along with everything else. People only see the grand. But if I am a good mother, that is the greatest thing,” said Brundidge.  

 “Being in the news business, it’s all about who’s first. I’m competitive not with other Black women, but with myself. I want to be better today than I was yesterday,” she said.

 She acknowledges the obstacles that stand in the way. “There are systems that are specifically designed and set up and have been in place for generations. They keep Black women from achieving and accomplishing their goals,” she said. 

“For me to do what I do, I have to be a disruptor. I am a disruptor of systems. For me to make one dollar I have to disrupt everything.”

Her determination and drive are what keep her going—and her faith. “Whatever it is that God has designed for me to do, when I die I want to make sure I get all that done.”

Despite her multi-hyphenated media empire, that’s not how she measures her accomplishments. “Success is not a dollar amount. Success is when you can take an idea that is inside of your head and put it in front of your face.”

Her advice to the next generation of multimedia journalists: “Have faith. Be brave. Be strong and be bold. Be a disruptor. You can’t follow in anybody’s footsteps because God has a plan for each person. As much as you may admire somebody, their plan is not the plan for you. You don’t want to miss what you are supposed to do.”