Fennella Bruce

Media Consultant and Founder of FKB Media

On Reputation, Reliability, and Respect

by Stephanie Hawkins

Fennella Bruce is an accomplished television producer and writer. With over 20 years of journalism experience, she founded a busy media consulting business, FKB Media Solutions, and a media production house, FKB Media Productions Inc. Bruce took time out of her busy schedule to speak about overcoming challenges, what inspires her, and the next exciting chapter of her career.

There can often be barriers and obstacles within any industry. What challenges have you faced and how do you overcome them?

I think one of the challenges that I face as a producer, or when I'm doing a story, is people saying no. There are a lot of people that have turned me down, not wanting to do an interview, or tell their story. There’s a need for tenacity in how you overcome that, not taking it personally, and just persevering. I was once pitching to a morning show, and the producer said no. Every time he came back with that answer, I came back with another option. I don't want to pester people, but it's also understanding when to walk away and that a “no” doesn't mean “never.”

You have received many accolades including being recognized as one of 2020’s 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women, as well as 2022’s Business Woman of the Year by the Women Empowerment Awards. Can you speak about what this means to you?

Both of those awards are very meaningful to me. For the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women, that came from my community. To be recognized by my peers, by my elders — Dr. Jean Augustine, Dauna Jones-Simmonds, Dr. Denise O’Neil Green — they're a part of the founders of this award. There's also a committee, and I’m thrilled to be nominated and recognized by them. It really touched me tremendously to be part of that sisterhood and see how we uplift each other. At the gala, it was a wonderful feeling to see so many accomplished Black women doing such great things. It was amazing. //