Black History Month: From “You Talk Too Much” to Building a PR Agency

By Melissa Nyamushanya

As a young Black girl, I never imagined I would one day own my own public relations agency.

I was told I talked too much.

That I asked too many questions.

That I was opinionated.

That I should learn how to be quieter.

What I didn’t realize then was that my voice wasn’t a problem it was a skill waiting for direction.

Everyone Has a Plan…

There’s a saying: everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.

That punch came for me.

Life didn’t unfold the way I imagined. Something happened that forced me into deep recovery physically, mentally, emotionally. At one point, I could barely form a sentence. I was rebuilding from the ground up, learning how to function again while the world kept moving.

And yet, something shifted.

That moment didn’t end my story it woke me up.

Choosing to Pivot Instead of Disappear

During recovery, I had a choice: disappear quietly or redefine myself intentionally.

I refused to be silent.

I refused to let what happened to me become the final chapter.

Instead of allowing society to sideline me or render me invisible, I pivoted. I leaned into communication not just as expression, but as strategy, protection, and leadership. Public relations wasn’t something I chased for prestige. It became the space where everything I had lived, observed, and survived finally made sense.

Finding My Voice Again

On November 1, 2023, I joined Brampton Alpha Toastmasters.

I didn’t announce it widely.

I didn’t explain my vision to everyone.

I protected it.

While recovering, I understood something important:

Not every vision needs to be shared before it’s ready.

So I worked quietly.

I practiced speaking again.

I rebuilt confidence sentence by sentence.

I studied, refined, and sharpened my craft behind the scenes.

This wasn’t secrecy it was intentional incubation.

Learning to Communicate, Not Shrink

Growing up, I noticed how often Black women were misunderstood, misrepresented, or completely absent from the media narratives shaping our world. When we did appear, it was usually through stereotypes that felt flat, limiting, or disconnected from our real experiences.

I rarely saw stories that reflected women like me our intelligence, nuance, ambition, softness, or leadership. So instead of learning how to “shut up,” I became curious about how to communicate better.

How stories are shaped.

Who controls narratives.

And why certain voices are amplified while others are ignored.

Choosing Leadership Over Silence

There came a point where I realized something important:

If I waited for the industry to make space for me, I might be waiting forever.

Rather than allowing society to sideline me or render me invisible, I made a decision to become a leader in an industry where I saw a clear need for Black women.

SheGaze Media Inc was born from that decision. This agency exists because representation matters.

Because storytelling shapes opportunity.

Because reputation, visibility, and strategic communication are not luxuries they are power.

Becoming the Help

A lot of people don’t realize they need PR until they do. Many Black women are doing incredible work but lack the systems, strategy, and support to be seen, trusted, and positioned effectively. With Black women being among the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs, the gap between talent and visibility is real.

So I asked myself:

What if I became the help I wish existed? SheGaze Media Inc is my answer.

We create platforms, strategies, and systems that allow women to thrive if they trust us to help them get where they are meant to be. Our work is rooted in clarity, confidence, and intentional storytelling that aligns with who our clients truly are.

Looking Ahead

This Black History Month, I’m reflecting with gratitude not just for how far I’ve come, but for what’s still ahead. I’m excited about the future of SheGaze Media Inc. Excited about the women we will support. Excited about the narratives we will reshape.

Black history is not only about remembering the past, it’s about building the future with intention.

And this is only the beginning.