L'Oreal Thompson Payton - Freelance Writer, Editor + Speaker
Writing is, and always will be, L’Oreal’s first love. Currently splitting her time between her editing role and freelance writing across various outlets, she also prioritizes speaking engagements and yoga teacher training—all while pursuing a book deal. Her goal through it all? To help people, particularly Black women and girls, feel less alone. A lifelong student, advocate for mentorship and skillful storyteller, L’Oreal is helping pave the way for people everywhere by sharing her story and maintaining, in her words, a “lift as you climb” mentality along the way.
The Interests:
Hometown: Belcamp, MD
Current city: Chicago, IL
Alma mater: Loyola University Maryland
Degree: B.A., Communications; Specialization in Journalism
Very first job: Chuck E. Cheese—and yes, I was Chuck E.
Hustle: Freelance Writer; Senior Mental Health Editor, YR Media
The Interests:
Babe you admire and why?
Oh gosh, there are so many! But right now I’m going to go with my soul sister, Pam Johnson Davis. She’s a fellow writer (be sure to check out her bestselling poetry debut) and she’s the lead singer of a local band called Paper Cranes. Most importantly, she’s just an incredible human being. You ever have a friend who you just know your souls connected in another lifetime? That’s her.
Who’re your top five favorite female writers?
Ooh, top five is hard! But if I had to narrow it down: Toni Morrison, Roxane Gay, Jasmine Guillory, Talia Hibbert and Samantha Irby.
Your go-to power anthem?
Anything by Beyoncé, particularly “Formation,” “Run the World (Girls),” and “Diva.”
If you could share a drink with any woman (dead or alive) who would it be?
It’s a tie between Beyoncé and Michelle Obama. I also grew up admiring Rosa Parks, so perhaps all of us could meet over mimosas?
The Hustle:
Tell us about your hustle, providing a summary of your roles and the work you do daily.
Well, my friends and family will say I do too much and they’re not wrong. I currently split my time between my editing role and freelance writing across various outlets—not to mention speaking engagements, pursuing a book deal and yoga teacher training (I recently earned my 200-hour certification in March and I start 300-hour training in June)! No two days are the same, so I’ll describe today (which I feel is typical of my freelance life): I woke up, worked out (usually yoga or riding my Peloton, but today I did strength training). After I’ve showered, gotten ready and eaten breakfast, I’m checking my email and sending follow-up emails. Today I had a call with my agent to prep for a publisher call later in the day. I also had two back-to-back interviews for a story I’m writing and then I hosted a workshop on salary negotiation that evening. All in a day’s work!
Have you always been a writer? What inspired you to pursue writing as a career?
Yes, I’ve been writing since I was three! There’s a picture of me and my sister when I’m a toddler and she’s a baby. We’re sitting on the sofa and I have a spiral-bound notebook in my lap and a pen in my hand. It looks like I’m interviewing her or something. When I was around six, I wrote a story about dinosaurs in outer space and shortly thereafter I published a newspaper. I’ve always had an active imagination and writing was the best way to get those thoughts on paper. As I got older, I started journaling as a way to process my thoughts and emotions. And when I got to high school and wrote for the school paper and literary magazine, I realized I could help other people with my writing as well—that there’s real power in storytelling and that inspired me to pursue a career as a writer, or more specifically a journalist. I was obsessed with teen magazines growing up, but this was the Britney and Christina era—before Michelle was FLOTUS and before Beyoncé was BEYONCÉ—I was disappointed by the lack of representation in the media, so I set out on a mission to do something about it.
How would you describe your relationship with writing? How big of a role does it have in your life?
Writing is my first love. It is my God-given mission, it is what I put on this Earth to do. It plays a HUGE role in my life. I often think about the Isaac Asimov quote, “I write for the same reason I breathe — because if I didn’t I would die.” It sounds dramatic, sure, but it’s also true. I don’t know who or what I’d be if I wasn’t a writer.
What is something that you strive for with each piece of writing that you create? Is there a message or goal you want your readers to take away from your work?
The goal, for me, is simple: to help people, particularly Black women and girls, feel less alone. I know what it’s like growing up not seeing yourself represented. I know what it’s like being the only Black girl in the room. Beyond that, there are so many topics that are shrouded in shame (impostor syndrome and infertility are the two I talk about most at length) that I aspire to shed light on. By sharing my story and my journey, it can help someone feel less alone—and that’s my ultimate goal: to encourage others, to cheer them on.
What’re some tips and/or advice you’d give to writers wanting to take the freelance route?
Don’t do it for free! When I started out, I made the mistake of putting the “free” in freelance because I was so excited to have an opportunity—but exposure does not pay the bills. Also, don’t wait for someone to give you permission. Editor not responding to your pitch? Shop it elsewhere. No one bites? Post it on your blog or newsletter. No matter what, you should have some piece of Internet real estate you can call your own (and no, social media doesn’t count; the algorithm changes, the sites crash, you don’t own that ultimately). An online presence is crucial (and doesn’t have to be expensive), but you have to put yourself out there. And when you get rejected (noticed I say “when” and not “if,” because that’s par for the course in this industry), pick yourself and get back in the ring.
What is your favorite part of being the Senior Editor of Mental Health & Wellness for YR Media?
Working with young people. Gen Z is so smart, so creative and so intentional about diversity, equity and inclusion. I learn so much from them every day and I’m excited that they’re the future of media!
How has being a woman impacted your professional experiences? What can we collectively do to support and empower women in your industry today?
My mentor and friend Kyra Kyles is like a big sister to me. She’s the reason I’m in Chicago. I slid into her DMs back in 2011 about freelancing opps, she gave me a shot, we stayed in touch and she later hired me to be the Digital Content Editor at JET magazine. Beyond that, she’s provided me with so much invaluable personal and professional advice. I’m really grateful for our friendship and for her leadership. She’s also more than a mentor, she is/was a sponsor (someone who speaks your name in rooms you aren’t in for opportunities that are well-suited for you) and in my opinion, we need more of that. She is the definition of “lift as you climb” and that’s how I’ve modeled my mentorship style as well. There’s room enough for all of us, so pass along the opportunities, recommend people for roles. When one of us wins, we all win.
Specifically, how has being a woman of color impacted your professional experience? What can we do to create more supportive and inclusive work environments inside and outside of your industry?
Well I would say specifically my experience as a Black woman is different from that of even other women of color. As Malcolm X said in 1962, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” I’ve worked under older white women managers who I’m sure were threatened by my talent and ambition and did everything they could to keep me in my place. But nevertheless, I persisted. Sure, it was never outright racism, but there were definitely microaggressions. Erika Stallings wrote an incredible piece for ZORA that talked about the phenomenon where Black women go from “office pet to threat” and I definitely experienced that. To create more supportive and inclusive work environments, senior leadership needs to start by putting their money where their mouth is. Offer paid internships. I was fortunate and privileged enough in college that I could take on unpaid internships and gain editorial experience that way, but that’s not the case for everyone. And by making these opportunities accessible only to a select few, you’ve already narrowed your hiring pipeline significantly. The most qualified person from the job isn’t always a Harvard bro. It’s time to stop looking around the table for your next hire and start investing in tangible change.
Where do you think the power behind your writing comes from? In what ways have you seen your writing evolve throughout the years?
That’s a great question! Honestly I think it comes from a desire to write what I wish to read. I remember Toni Morrison saying, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” And I’ve applied that to not only my forthcoming book, but all of my writing.
In an essay you wrote for Well and Good, you stated that “as Black woman in America, joy takes work”. Could you share the motivation and meaning behind this statement?
This essay came during the summer of 2020, at the height of the “racial reckoning” following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery (just to name a few, unfortunately). I was angry. I was tired. I was frustrated. I was also determined not to let them (the racists, the willfully ignorant, the #AllLivesMatter people) steal my joy. And it takes work because as Lucille Clifton wrote, “everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed.” That’s a literal statement as a Black person in America. I had to remind myself that joy is also a form of resistance.
What’s one thing you’re proud to have accomplished in your career thus far?
There’s so much! And that’s not bragging, there is a lot I’m proud of. But beyond the awards and accolades, the accomplishment I’m most proud of is walking away from my communications position to pursue full-time freelance writing (in the midst of a global pandemic while undergoing IVF, no less). It was a huge leap of faith and I’m so glad I decided to bet on myself.
Has there ever been a time where you’ve seen your work positively influence another individual's life?
Yes, this is one of the best parts about being a writer in this digital age. I’ll get emails and DMs from people who say, “I read this article and it really resonated with me.” Or, “I saw that post and it gave me the confidence to change careers or ask for more money,” etc. It’s really rewarding because that’s what it’s all about. As a writer, you put your words into the world and hope it lands with the person who needs to hear it and when it does? There’s nothing like it.
Who are some women in your field that you look to for inspiration?
Christina Tapper—she’s one of the most thoughtful and thorough editors I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Same for Anna Maltby and Rachel Charlene Lewis. I also really admire Evette Dionne, the editor-in-chief of Bitch Media.
Career and/or life advice for other babes (both inside and outside of your industry?)
Trust your dopeness. It’s a mantra/affirmation I’ve come to rely on when I’m confronted with self-doubt and impostor syndrome.
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This interview has been condensed and edited.
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