Ayanna Wilks
As the VP of Publicity at Epic Records, Ayanna handles the US communications strategies for music artists such as Tyla, Mariah the Scientist, ScarLip, DJ Spinall, Madison Beer, 21 Savage, GIVĒON, BIA, Real Boston Richey, Mimi Webb, Jabari Banks, Mike Dimes, India Shawn, , Southside, Joy Crookes and more
. No stranger to working with celebrities and talent overall, after leaving Spelman College, Ayanna started her career as a PR intern working at the prominent womenswear fashion brand, Diane von Furstenberg for several years. There, she was able to climb the ladder into a permanent role at the company within their celebrity and communications department which consisted of working with a variety of stylists, publicists, and editors to drive awareness and presence to the brand in the celebrity market.
After investing years into the fashion industry, she left Diane von Furstenberg to take on a new and exciting role in music in the PR department at Roc Nation. Working at Roc Nation she was able to maintain key relationships within the fashion industry while also growing in a new direction and creating new connections within the music entertainment vertical. Ayanna worked alongside the Roc Nation team to develop and execute strategic communications plans and brand development opportunities for management clients as well as new artists on the label Including Mack Wilds, Justine Skye, Vic Mensa, Fabolous, DJ Khaled, Angie Martinez an DJ Mustard. In addition, she worked with the team on prominent reoccurring events including Roc Nation Pre-Grammy Brunch, Made in America Festival and more that resulted in national and international press coverage.
In 2017, Ayanna left Roc Nation to dive right back into the fashion industry at one of the largest modeling agencies in the world – Wilhelmina Models. As Wilhelmina’s PR Director for the Celebrity Division, Ayanna Wilks led the public relations initiatives for the growing roster of celebrity talent at the company and worked with a slew of talent including Nicki Minaj, Niall Horan, 5S0S, Rae Sremmurd, Sofia and Miles Richie.
Ayanna has been featured in Essence, Teen Vogue, Complex Glamour and is also a co-founder at The Brownie Agency – an agency dedicated to the enrichment of black women by providing culture, good vibes and black girl magic through events, wellness activities and more. The Brownies have been featured in campaigns for companies such as Beats By Dre, Nike Women and Jordan. Ayanna and Brianna have taken The Brownies virtual, hosting and curating a number of events during the pandemic in an aim to pivot during the current times.