Celebrating 10 Years of Teaching: A Decade of Impact, Creativity & Full-Circle Moments
At Ayanna Henderson Marketing, our philosophy has always been rooted in something deeper than strategy: education, access, and building creative pathways for future leaders.
Today, we honor a major milestone for our founder, Ayanna Henderson, as she celebrates 10 years as a professor of Business, Digital Marketing, and Social Media — shaping the next generation of marketers, editors, producers, storytellers, and creative professionals.
How It Started — The Conversation That Shifted Everything
Ten years ago, a simple sentence from a friend changed Ayanna’s entire career trajectory.
Tiffany, a close friend and sister in every way that matters, said:
“Your marketing experience is dope, and students would learn so much from you.”
She immediately sent Ayanna job links. Hours later, Ayanna applied.
Days later, she walked into her first interview… and walked out hired on the spot.
That moment opened the door to a decade of impact that would shape both her life and the culture of this agency.
A Legacy of Student Excellence
Over the past 10 years, Ayanna has taught thousands of students across business, branding, social media, digital strategy, production, and the evolving world of content creation.
Many of them have gone on to earn major accolades, including:
🏆 Clio Awards
The Clio Awards celebrate excellence in advertising and creative storytelling — often compared to the “Oscars of the ad industry.” Ayanna’s former students have contributed to national and global Clio-winning campaigns.
🏆 Gemma Awards
GEMA Awards (Global Entertainment Marketing Academy) celebrated excellence in entertainment marketing with ceremonies in North America and other regions, honoring campaigns from Disney, AJC, and more.
🏆 Emmys & entertainment industry recognition
From post-production to network television to digital series, her students now work across every corner of the industry.
🎬 Roles in film, marketing, editing, production & social content
Her classroom has become a launchpad for careers at studios, agencies, networks, and production houses.
Creating Real Opportunities: Hiring Students Into the Industry
One of the hallmarks of Ayanna’s teaching approach is providing students with real-world access.
Over the years, she has hired her own students into professional projects with:
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Keys Soulcare
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Steve Harvey
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Social media and digital content campaigns
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Videography and directing assignments
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Post-production projects
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Live broadcast feeds and multi-camera productions
Ayanna’s students have moved from her classroom to her sets, her editing bays, her client meetings, and her industry teams.
The Full-Circle Moment: Former Students at ABC
One of the most meaningful milestones came when several former students secured positions at ABC, the network home to:
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Family Feud
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Celebrity Family Feud
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Judge Steve Harvey
In a poetic full-circle moment, those same students began sending Ayanna broadcast assets, on-air promos, social deliverables, and advertising materials related to Steve Harvey campaigns — directly to her and her agency for posting, editing, and promotion.
The classroom became a boardroom.
Former students became collaborators.
Mentorship became legacy.
How Teaching Strengthens Our Agency
Ayanna’s academic experience has shaped the values and quality of Ayanna Henderson Marketing in profound ways:
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Industry accuracy: Students are trained using real-world standards, which keeps the agency’s internal systems sharp and innovative.
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Creative discipline: Teaching requires clarity — this same practice informs our client communication, briefs, and creative execution.
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Talent pipeline: Several AHM team members started as students and became trusted creatives.
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Thought leadership: Integrating education and agency work produces fresh insights that influence our marketing strategies.
Education is not separate from the agency — it powers the agency.
Looking Ahead: The Next 10 Years
This milestone reflects more than longevity — it reflects purpose.
Ayanna’s goal for the next decade is clear:
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Continue opening doors for emerging creators
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Prepare students for an AI-driven future
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Produce industry-level content that shapes culture
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Build more bridges between education and entertainment
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Expand opportunities for diverse talent in media
At Ayanna Henderson Marketing, we believe the next wave of creative leadership begins in the classroom — and continues in every campaign, collaboration, and client success story we build.
Here’s to the next 10 years.