Ray Ball

Title:

Owner

Current / Past Place of Employment:

BallR Media

Years in the region:

31

Originally from:

Bond Hill, Cincinnati

Age:

31

Her Story:

Ray Ball has been a champion of marketing for over 6.5 years. Starting out first as a blogger before transitioning to a career at a marketing agency where she managed over 40 social accounts including elite clients. In 2015, she launched BallR Media. As the Creative Brandpreneur she’s worked with a variety of clients locally and nationally to develop creative and results-driven campaigns. BallR Media focuses on: brand consulting, strategy, digital marketing, and project management. The company has worked in the streetwear/sneaker retail industry, corporate sponsorships, music and art, ecommerce, event/conference coordination, brand collaborations, as well as activations and event curation.

What makes you uniquely YOU?

I’m kinda weird, but I also think that’s my super power. I love having freedom…freedom to think, to create, to just be sometimes. It’s truly a blessing to live the life that I have and showing my gratitude for that is something I try to execute daily and I think this is even reflected in my work and how I treat others.

What is your proudest moment in recent history?

Learning to manifest what you want and be willing to accept what you need. I manifested my own shoe. ever in a million years did I think at 30 I’d be designing my own shoe with Nike by You, or that it’d sell out, or that it’d launch the Neighborhood Rose Project. In January, we held an expungement clinic and every record was expunged that night! It’s moments like those that I hold near and dear to my heart.

What’s the legacy you hope to leave behind?

A legacy of love, respect, and hustle. A legacy that motivates and encourages others to be their best selves daily.

What is your advice for emerging African American leaders?

Society, history, your family, your friends, everybody will all give you reason why you should quit, DO NOT listen! Always shoot your shot at life and at your goals, some go in, some brick, but at the end of the day the ball is always in your court.

What piece of advice have you received along the way in your career or life journey that has stuck with you?

If your dreams do not scare you they aren’t big enough. This piece has always stuck with me because I used to be scared of my dreams, thinking they were in fact too big. What I really learned is that as soon as one dream is achieved an even bigger one is on the horizon.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I have social anxiety and everyday I put myself out there is another day I don’t let it hold me back from touching as many people as possible. We’re all in this together.

In what ways are you involved in the Cincinnati community outside of your professional endeavors?

The Neighborhood Rose Project - created to empower people to be more active in their communities. I started the project when I launched my shoe, The Neighborhood Rose Air Max 1  with Nike. This initiative has led to the #MyHoodTaughtMe tour, traveling around the state doing youth creator workshops, a pollinate your hood program, and a marijuana expungement clinic. I’m also a board member for the Rothenberg Rooftop Garden, a member of Impact 100, and lead cooking classes to teach underserved youth about their future health and wealth.