Carla Ray Thompson
cwrite@earthlink.net
Photographer
Photograph beauty interiors – spas, fitness studio and hair salons for NYMag.com, New York Magazine’s website as well as other clientele.
Writer Specializing in Pop Culture and Celebrity Interviews
The Ride: Popping Off About Pop Culture
Notable Interviews
Reality Television
Bethenny Frankel, celebrity chef, author and star of Real Housewives of New York City, Bethenny Ever After
Keegan-Michael Key, comedian/co-star, Key & Peele
Alexa “The Glam Fairy” Prisco, cast member Jerseylicious and Glam Fairy
Pamela Martin Duarte, cast member, Big Rich Texas
Carla Hall, contestant Top Chef, Top Chef All-Stars and co-host of The Chew
Katelynn Cusanelli, cast member The Real World Brooklyn, The Challenge: Fresh Meat II
Lisa D’Amato, singer/model America’s Next Top Model, Celebrity Rehab 3, America’s Next Top Model All Stars
Lil Mama, rapper and judge, America’s Best Dance Crew
Bebe Zahara Benet, performer and season one winner RuPaul’s Drag Race
Gerilyn Thomas, professional organizer, Hoarders
Fashion/Music
Robert Verdi, celebrity stylist
Katie Gallagher, fashion designer
Alisha Trimble, fashion designer
ARROJO Studio, hair salon
Chantal Claret, former lead singer, Morningwood
Laurie Ann Gibson, choreographer/ former creative director (Lady Gaga tour and videos)
Kareem Black, celebrity photographer
Jeremy Rall, music video director, photographer, filmmaker
Maiysha, 2008 Urban Alternative Grammy Nominee
Aubrey O’Day, singer, formerly of Danity Kane, All About Aubrey, Celebrity Apprentice
Danielle Everine, contestant, Project Runway, season 9
Julie Dexter, singer
Interviewed by Houston Chronicle for the following articles: “Famous Moms Get Pity…To a Point” (May 2009) and “Is Oprah Backlash Gathering Steam?” (Dec. 2007)
Freelance Journalist (2001 – 2006, 2010 – 2011)
Wrote news, feature, and op-ed articles for both online and print media. Covered a variety of topics including education, small business, career, and social policy.
Publications
Black Enterprise Magazine
Examiner.com
Women’s eNews
AOL Black Voices
BET.com
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Huntsville (AL) Times
Alternet
Birmingham (AL) News
Montgomery (AL) Advertiser
Awards
Capital Press Women’s Contest – Writing for the Web (Features)-1st Place (Women’s eNews)
National Federation of Press Women Communications Award – Writing for the Web – Features, Honorable Mention (Women’s eNews)
Author
Bearing Witness: Not So Crazy in Alabama (August Press 2005) – memoir
Reviewed by: Booklist, Library Journal, Baltimore City Paper, Mosaic Literary Magazine
60 Seconds to Shine Volume IV: 161 One-Minute Monologues from Literature (Smith and Krauss; November 2007) –excerpt from Bearing Witness included in anthology.
Radio Co-Host
Guest Co-Host Screen Time (2008)
Co-host for BlogTalkRadio/Blogcritics weekly half-hour show about all things television.
Co-Host WVAS-FM (90.7)/Open Mic (2001-2002)
Interviewed guests for an hour-long daily talk/news call-in show. Developed and researched topics. Scheduled and pre-interviewed guests. WVAS-FM is an 80,000 watt NPR affiliate located on the campus of Alabama State University which served south central Alabama. Guests included: author Randall Kennedy, talk show hosts, Farai Chideya and Tavis Smiley, former Alabama governor Don Siegelman and controversial former university professor Ward Churchill
Producer/Writer/Director Rainmaker Productions
The Root of It All (Distributor – National Film Network)
A short video documentary that explores how hair takes on social, political, and emotional significance in the lives of African American women. (Honorable Mention- 37tth Annual Rochester International Film Festival). Now on YouTube.
A Hill of Our Own
A short narrative film that explores the issue of class through the relationship of two little girls who live at opposite ends of a hill and of the socioeconomic spectrum. Features T’Keyah Crystal Keymah formerly of Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven. (Artistic Director’s Award of Merit – Sinking Creek Film and Video Festival, Nashville, TN; Panavision New Filmmaker Award; Eastman Kodak Film Grant). Now on YouTube.
Casting (Television and Film)
“Martin” Los Angeles, CA (1995)
Assisted Casting Director of popular FOX sitcom. Coached and preread actors. Coordinated casting sessions. Contacted agents regarding actors’ availability and fees. Generated AFTRA contracts.
“The Player’s Club” Los Angeles, CA (1997)
Extras casting assistant for Ice Cube-directed urban drama starring LisaRaye McCoy, the late Bernie Mac and Jamie Foxx.
Teaching
Adjunct Instructor/Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication Studies (1998-2010)
Courses Taught
Public Relations
Writing for Public Relations
Business Communication
Public Speaking Communication Techniques
Theories of Communication and Persuasion
Institutions
Fordham University-Lincoln Center
Baruch College (CUNY)
Brooklyn College (CUNY)
Auburn University at Montgomery
Huntingdon College
Special Student Projects
Assisted students in the development of a campaign to bring about awareness of date rape and domestic violence. Culminated in a “Take Back the Night” candlelight vigil. (Theories of Communication and Persuasion)
Guided students in the creation of a comprehensive study of the Evening College. Students examined the following areas: recruitment, marketing, student life, and financial aid. Compared Huntingdon to other institutions offering similar services. Offered analysis and recommendations for change. Presented findings to the Dean of the Evening College. (Business and Professional Communication)
Member
Curriculum Outcome Assessment Program (COAP) – a college-wide program to assess student learning across a number of core competencies. Communication Studies COAP team assessed oral communication. (Baruch College)
Judge
Spring Speech Festival 2008 (“The Price is Right for Going Green”) – Member of a panel of three faculty members/business professionals evaluating student presentations for annual school-wide competition (Baruch College)
Grant Recipient
Conference on College Composition and Communication (2007)
Education
Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA
Degree: MFA – Communication Arts Major: Television Production
Honors Bill Cosby Award – Graduate Division; Professor Gertrude Rivers Robinson Award for Achievement – Graduate Division
Northwestern University Evanston, IL
Bachelor of Science in Speech Major: Communication Studies Minor: Psychology
Special Interest – Photography
Photos have been featured on Logo Online, Curbed NY, Schmap (NYC 16th edition), and DDG Partners, Purple Passport
From ‘The Ride’ in Pictures (Flickr)
The Ride 