OurBlk Woman Story Collection: Francheska “Fancy” Felder
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- January 10, 2022
Francheska “Fancy” Felder is a quiet Southern, media mogul in the making. In 2010, she launched SwagHer Magazine, an empowerment and lifestyle publication for the progressive Black community.
Fancy’s passion for all things creative combined with her love for writing, Black culture, and business guided her to also offer her public relations, creative, and branding services, making the magazine more of a media boutique having its own subscription clients as well as advertisers, hence why the name changed to SwagHer Magazine & Media.
SwagHer Magazine uses positive media and storytelling to create new narratives and mindsets around Black people, their communities, and the businesses and organizations they lead. Fancy executes campaigns for Black women-led businesses, coaches, authors, and girl bosses so that they receive more visibility and establish themselves as an authority.
The Mississippi native is also one half of Theories & Thoughts Podcast, a discussion-driven show that tackles Black issues and taboo subjects with a kitchen table talk feel, which she hosts with Arnya T.M. Davis. The two also co-produce and host Theories & Thoughts Deep Dive, a millennial talk show.
The former teen mom graduated from Southwest Mississippi Community College with her associate’s in marketing management and studied mass communications with a focus in public relations from Southern University A&M College.
OurBlk story was able to speak Fancy to learn more about her story of resilience and triumph!
Why is it important to embrace who you are?
I think we owe it to ourselves to embrace who we are. It’s like a sense of responsibility, and the more we do it, the more attractive we become to others because it’s a brave thing to be yourself nowadays.
How does your brand or what you do cultivate female empowerment?
SwagHer Magazine started as Black women’s publication to empower Black women with business and lifestyle news and tips and share the stories of other Black women. I was so impressed with the stories of successful Black women overcoming their personal and professional challenges that I thought other women needed to hear them to know they could overcome life’s obstacles. Times have changed, but I feel like there’s a lot we don’t know as Black women because our mothers didn’t know either.
What is your leadership style?
I’m very laid-back as a leader, so more Laissez-faire. I trust my team’s creativity and judgment.
In your opinion, how can we as a culture work together to banish prejudices and social clichés?
I think when we are honest with ourselves and recognize that we are all consciousness having a human experience and find more ways that we can relate than we are different, we can begin eradicating prejudices and social cliches. Experiencing other cultures really helps as well.
What are some things you are most proud of?
First, I am most proud of my three children. As a former teen mom, I was blessed to have such easy-going, self-sufficient little people. After that, I am proud to have founded and grown SwagHer Magazine to the heights that I have, because I had no former knowledge, experience, or a model by which to learn or work. We hit six figures last year. A few of my other achievements are being chosen to participate in Meta’s Bulletin independent journalism project where I publish The Higher South newsletter. I’ve recently completed an independent journalist jumpstart program at CUNY and CafeMedia’s Remarkable Voices Entrepreneur Academy. I’ve also received awards for my work as a Black woman publisher and Editor-in-Chief.
What have you been up to and what can we look forward to seeing from you?
My years of being homeless really hindered me from experiencing many things, so I’ve been investing in myself. I recently joined Aprille Franks’s mastermind, The CEO Collective, and it’s been beneficial as I am transitioning into visibility coaching. I realize coaches have their own culture, and I have a slight learning curve. Season 2 of Theories & Thoughts Deep Dive just premiered on ExposureTV Network. I also am participating in several book projects. But most importantly, you can look forward to seeing more of me as I’m growing more comfortable with this level of success, and I want to help other Black women, girl bosses, coaches, and authors achieve it in their respective lanes.
Website: http://swagheronline.com | https://linktr.ee/fancysthoughts
Instagram: @fancyswagher
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwagHerMagazine
