hail to the chief of staff

PowerTalk's inaugural speaker series, Creative Conversations, continues with its next discussion, Hail to the Chief of Staff. This dialogue will examine some of the basic tenets of being a successful captain to some of the leading actors, TV and film producers in the world, managing competing priorities, plotting out strategy, and engaging their business affairs. Please join us as we peel back the layer of what it means to be the right hand, or left, of today's leading creatives!

Shayla Cowan | Chief of staff

will packer productions | Will Packer Media

Shayla Cowan is the Chief of Staff of Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media. In her position, she manages and oversees all operational and administrative activities of both companies. She also acts as an advisor to Packer; and supports the development and production of his films, TV series, digital programming and other projects.

Cowan has had an influential trajectory at the Will Packer Companies—starting out as a crew member on Packer’s 2010 film Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming, and pics Girls Trip and Night School 2018, respectively), Little, What Men Want, Breaking In and Almost Christmas.

She has also earned film credits for Think Like a Man, Ride Along and their sequels, No Good Deed, Wedding Ringer and Straight Outta Compton.

Shayla has played a critical role developing and distributing Packer films, which have grossed more than $1 billion and 10 opened at No. 1 at the box office.

“Shayla has been a major factor in our extraordinary success,” said Will Packer. “Both companies will benefit from her exceptional organizational skills, negotiating expertise as well as her uncanny ability to quickly and efficiently solve any problem. There is no one I trust more than Shayla to help me grow these businesses.”

fred whitaker | CEO

Journee enterprises

When passion, performance, and perseverance combine, you create a force to be reckoned with. Frederick Whitaker, or Fred Whit, has become a well-known name for his attention to detail, behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. He is believer in the mantra of hard work pays off as the C.E.O. of Journee Enterprises, a talent management and consulting firm. These days stars such as TV and film stars Terrence J, La La Anthony, filmmaker Will Packer, among others, call on him when they need the job done in a professional and dignified manner. He rises to any occasion and consistently exceeds expectations.

Growing up between the make or break city of New York and resolute small towns of rural North Carolina, he developed traits to become a balanced businessman. New York introduced Fred to the meaning of “hustle” and “ambition” others may not understand. North Carolina equipped him with a Southern compassion and charm. Now the man the world sees has the experience and ability to single-handedly take numerous careers to the next level. As manager of Terrence J (E! News, Think Like A Man 1 & 2) he secures major roles and deals for the rising star. Fred was instrumental in Terrence landing exclusive endorsements with Crown Royal and Jeep. In addition, Fred was successfully planned the rollout for La La Anthony’s New York Times best seller book, The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness. Further, Fred consults for television host Rocsi Diaz (Entertainment Tonight), and radio host Angela Yee NYC’s Power 105 morning show). Wearing many hats, he never loses sight of his main goal – to provide incomparable service for each of his clients. Fred proves, as his company motto states, it is the little things you do in life that make all the difference.

 Fred has always had a knack for making something out of nothing. While in college at NC A&T State University, he coordinated various large campus events. After graduating with a degree in communications, Fred took steps on a path he didn’t even see himself traveling. “I had no experience in management, so everything I have accomplished over the last 15 years, I learned on the job,” he states. There have been times he played the role of assistant, manager, accountant, and whatever else that was needed to get the job completed. Fred has also negotiated several deals with McDonald’s, Sean John, and Coogi, just to name a few. On the humanitarian side, he still finds time to put together charity events, toy drives, and even gives away almost $10,000 worth of clothes to the Salvation Army, every year. For him, accomplishments don’t mean much if others who can do nothing for you can’t benefit from them.

 Success can be measured by loving what you do, and making things happen while doing it. As doors continue to open, Fred will never forget those moments where his destiny was uncertain, but knew his dreams of making it would come true. Those dreams have not only come into fruition, they are growing far beyond his imagination. An admirable being and determined man, Fred Whitaker has become a staple in the industry – all while shaping the lives of not only those who achieve fame, but everyday people as well.

Sherri Daye Scott | CEO

Everybody eats media

Writer and producer Sherri Daye Scott has done a bit of it all: produced award-winning shorts, including Brooklyn Reel Sisters Festival fan-favorite, "Wanna-Be"; created and produced an online mini-doc series on culture and tech for AT&T; co-founded Durham, NC's Colored Pictures short-film festival; penned personal columns for the Washington Post and Women’s Health; and created AB+L Radio’s popular dating podcast "You Can't F*ck Me!". Her production CV includes work on feature projects such as "Black Knight" and "The Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood", television projects such "Legacies" and "Ambitions";  and screenings at the Hollywood Black Film Festival. Through her media company, Everybody Eats Media Productions, Scott is currently developing in partnership with L.A.-based non-profit Film Independent, Season of the Witches, a feature-length social thriller set in Puerto Rico, and recently launched #BigFactsSmallActs, a grassroots COVID-19 prevention campaign targeting Atlanta's African-American and Latino communities.