Buzzfeed’s Chantal Rochelle On Fighting For Diverse Representation
Chantal Rochelle is a multi-hyphenate creative committed to pushing the culture forward. But if you were to ask her—she’s a vessel, first and foremost.
“I will say this until I take my last breath, I am a vessel for God,” Chantal told TNJ. “I am a vessel of connecting people, of executing visions…and of healing myself and others.”
A woman of many talents, Chantal is the Head of BuzzFeed’s Cocoa Butter— a vertical for Black culture & entertainment news. There, the Houston native leads a team of creators (many of whom are of color), in producing content that amplifies underrepresented voices.
Since its launch, Cocoa Butter has taken the culture by storm with featured interviews from Hollywood icons like Debbie Allen and Loretta Devine to revered celebrity fashion stylist June Ambrose. Its impressive analytics have set a new standard for the predominantly White media company.
While humbled by its success, the hundreds of thousands of likes, comments, and shares are just the beginning (and not the end goal), for this passionate digital storyteller.
“I want to show up for the little girls that are waiting for me, now,” she said. “Over my five years [at BuzzFeed], I’ve brought on over 10 creatives on my team alone. I took the time to scour the internet in search of dope creatives.”
It’s an act of intentionality and purpose, one that ultimately creates an entry-point for creatives of color. And it’s this vow to show up for those that look like her, that sets Chantal apart in a heavily competitive industry.
“I’m a firm believer that it’s not what you know, but who knows you,” she said. “The greatest decisions of your career come when you’re not in the room.”
This stance is not to be confused with doing the work, because one always has to do the work.
“What’s for you will always be for you,” Chantal believes. “But you need to make sure you’ve put the work in.”