Frankey Smith On Comics, Culture, And Carving Space For Diverse Voices
While it's true that superheroes are fictional beings, that doesn't mean there aren't everyday people who are using their own natural gifts or superpowers to create change. That happens to be the case for Frankey Smith, also known as Fantastic Frankey, whose gift of storytelling puts her in a league all of her own. Hailing from The Bronx, Smith currently serves as the co-host of DC Studios Showcase: The Official Podcast, a joint venture with DC & DC Studios & the streaming giant Max. In this role, Smith, alongside co-hosts Tyler Coates and Coy Jandreau, regularly delves into the expansive universe of DC Comics through a unique blend of cultural commentary that combines humor with history. For the New York City native, it's the culmination of a longtime dream she's had.'I've been working for years to be a host of a talk show, and on my list of goals was to work with DC. It's been my favorite comic book company since I was a child, but for a long time, it was just a goal that I said, not thinking I would actually get it,' Smith said. 'To be recognized for my work and to be told that they loved me, my personality, and the way that I spoke, which was so starkly different from everything else that I've seen in this space, truly felt like I accomplished my dream.'Frankey Smith
While Smith continues to lean into authenticity within this role and beyond, she wants to continue using her platform to amplify the voices of other diverse individuals. The comic book aficionado considers the position an honor while noting there's still more work to be done in the fight for inclusion.'Honestly, when I began, I wasn't sure that there would be space in this world, and oftentimes I wonder if there still is. But what I will say is that people are looking for something different, especially in the fandom as it continues to grow,' Smith told ForbesBLK. 'It's becoming more diverse, and throughout all the noise, I believe that I have the thickest skin and the loudest mouth, and that's afforded me a leading role in the fight for inclusion in the space. I'm incredibly honored that people put their trust in me and value my input, and I know the work isn't done, but I'm ready not only to continue to lead in the space but to help normalize voices like mine here as well.'
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Unlock A Trivia LadderWhen it comes to taking the reins on such a colossal platform, Smith is afforded the opportunity to showcase her own superpowers. According to the pop culture pundit, it's her willingness to showcase her true self within her content.'I think showcasing myself is what allows my content to be so multidimensional because I'm a multidimensional person with different interests. I have different views and understand nuance, and a lot of people are the same way,' Smith said. 'I'm in a position where I give my take on topics, highlighting the things where I can spread my net wide because I have an eclectic taste. That's how I've been able to build my following because I have followers who only follow me to hear my thoughts on Comics, while I have others who want to hear my thoughts on other subjects. All of those are part of who I am and what I enjoy, and that makes it easy not to have to box myself in because it's all part of being in a community.'Frankey Smith
As Smith continues to shine in accomplishing her dreams, her life's journey isn't without obstacles. In fact, just a few years ago, a professional hiccup unexpectedly led her to hone in on her own ambitions.'I think my biggest rejection or 'no' was getting laid off during the pandemic. I had an opportunity to stay at my job and get paid less in another position, and when I asked to make the same that I was making previously, the answer was no,' Smith said. 'It really put things into perspective for me. I dedicated a significant amount of time to the company and received numerous accolades, but in the end, it didn't mean much. It empowered me to focus on myself and the things I loved, instead of building a company with its own goals. I ended up taking the severance package and decided it's now or never; I'm not sure where my career would've gone if I didn't have the space during that time to really lock in.'As Smith continues to bring her whole self to the world of DC Comics, she encourages others who come through the door she's opened to be themselves and stay true to who they are.'My advice to the next Fantastic Frankey is always to be yourself because that's what makes you special and that's what makes people want to be involved with you. People want to see different perspectives and to see themselves reflected in the media they consume, and more importantly, they want people to highlight things that only individuals from their community would notice. So, set a goal, figure out how to get to that goal, and then drown out all the noise because what works for someone else may not work for you.'
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