Local creators, small business owners, and community leaders often operate without the mainstream recognition they deserve. Traditional media frequently overlooks these grassroots changemakers, leaving their tangible impact on the community largely unnoticed. Without proper platforms to celebrate these positive role models, their ability to inspire others and expand their reach remains limited. Cities need high-profile, localized events that elevate these unsung heroes and foster a stronger sense of unity.
Remi TV addresses this visibility gap by launching the Remi TV Influencer Awards, Rhode Island's first major award show. Founded by Remi Jones, the state's first Black female television show owner, the event honors local talent while actively raising funds for workforce development and homeless assistance programs. In this interview, we discuss the inspiration behind the awards, the importance of celebrating diverse voices, and how this landmark event directly benefits the local community.
Q: Local creators and grassroots leaders often operate without mainstream recognition. What specific community needs inspired you to launch Rhode Island's first major influencer award show?
Remi Jones: The inspiration came from seeing so many incredible people doing life-changing work in our communities without ever receiving the recognition they deserved. Too often, the spotlight is reserved for celebrities or well-known public figures, while entrepreneurs, educators, nonprofit leaders, artists, first responders, and everyday changemakers quietly make a lasting impact behind the scenes. I wanted to create a platform that celebrates those unsung heroes and tells their stories. The Remi TV Influencer Awards isn't just about handing out awards; it's about honoring service, inspiring others to make a difference, and showing our communities that their hard work matters. At the same time, the event serves a greater purpose by raising funds through ticket sales to support Remi TV Nation's workforce development programs, helping underserved youth and adults gain the skills and opportunities they need to build brighter futures.
Q: As the first Black woman to own a television show in Rhode Island, how has your own media journey influenced the diverse categories and talent you chose to highlight at this event?
Remi Jones: Being the first Black woman to own a television show in Rhode Island has given me a unique perspective on the importance of representation and visibility. Throughout my journey, I've met countless talented entrepreneurs, educators, nonprofit leaders, artists, first responders, and community advocates whose stories deserved to be told but were often overlooked by mainstream media. That experience inspired me to create an awards show that reflects the diversity, talent, and resilience of our communities, not just the people who are already well known.
I wanted the categories to represent the individuals who are making a real difference every day, whether they're mentoring youth, running a small business, creating art, serving their neighborhoods, or leading a nonprofit. The Remi TV Influencer Awards are about giving those individuals the recognition they have earned and creating a platform where every person, regardless of their background or profession, has the opportunity to be seen, celebrated, and inspired.
Q: The award show goes beyond entertainment by supporting a clothing drive and a workforce development program. How will these initiatives directly assist individuals experiencing homelessness in the area?
Remi Jones: The Remi TV Influencer Awards is about more than celebrating achievements, it's about creating opportunities to give back. Through our clothing drive, we aim to provide essential items such as coats, clothing, and other necessities to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or financial hardship. Something as simple as warm clothing can restore dignity, provide comfort, and help someone navigate difficult circumstances.
In addition, ticket sales from the awards directly support Remi TV Nation's workforce development program. Our goal is to remove barriers to employment by providing access to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, career readiness, and industry-recognized training opportunities, including CPR, Forklift Certification, and Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class A and Class B pathways. For individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, stable employment can be life-changing. By helping people gain valuable skills and access better-paying career opportunities, we're working toward long-term solutions that promote self-sufficiency, economic stability, and a path toward permanent housing and a brighter future.
Q: You secured major sponsorships from organizations like the POC Foundation and United Way. How crucial are these partnerships in bringing a purpose-driven event of this scale to the Providence Performing Arts Center?
Remi Jones: Partnerships are the foundation of an event like this because no single organization can create meaningful community impact alone. Organizations like the POC Foundation and United Way share a commitment to strengthening our communities, and their support helps bring that vision to life. Their involvement also sends a powerful message that recognizing everyday leaders and investing in community is something worth supporting.
These partnerships extend beyond financial support, they create opportunities for collaboration, introduce new resources to attendees, and bring together nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders who may not otherwise be in the same room. When organizations come together with a shared purpose, the impact reaches far beyond one evening. It creates relationships and opportunities that continue to benefit the community long after the event is over.
Q: The event honors a wide range of talent, from independent musicians and small businesses to mental health advocates. What impact do you hope this level of public recognition has on their future work?
Remi Jones: Recognition can be life-changing. For many independent musicians, small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates, being recognized publicly validates years of hard work that often goes unnoticed. That recognition can open doors to new partnerships, increase visibility, build credibility, and create opportunities they may not have had otherwise.
I also hope it reminds people that every contribution matters. Whether someone is advocating for mental health, mentoring young people, creating art, or building a business, their work has value and deserves to be celebrated. My hope is that receiving this recognition gives them renewed confidence, encourages them to keep making a difference, and inspires others to use their own talents to create positive change in their communities.
Q: Looking beyond this year's event, how do you plan to expand the Remi TV Influencer Awards to support and recognize even more unsung heroes in the future?
Remi Jones: My vision is for the Remi TV Influencer Awards to become one of the premier community recognition events in the region while never losing sight of why it was created to honor people who are making a real difference. As we grow, I want to expand our reach by introducing new award categories that reflect emerging community needs, building partnerships with more nonprofits and businesses, and creating opportunities for more local talent, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to be recognized.
I also want the awards to have an even greater impact beyond one evening. My goal is to continue growing the event so that it not only celebrates unsung heroes but also creates more opportunities through Remi TV Nation's workforce development initiatives. The more support we receive, the more people we can recognize, the more lives we can impact, and the more opportunities we can create for future generations. I want this event to become a lasting tradition that inspires service, celebrates excellence, and reminds people that making a difference in your community deserves to be seen and celebrated
This conversation highlights the profound impact of combining entertainment with active community service. Jones demonstrates that a major award show can do much more than hand out trophies; it can actively uplift the local economy and provide crucial resources to vulnerable populations. By dedicating a massive platform to grassroots leaders, the Remi TV Influencer Awards set a new standard for how cities can celebrate their local talent.
Prioritizing community-focused events will remain essential as local creators continue to drive cultural and economic growth. Platforms that authentically celebrate diverse voices encourage a new generation of leaders to step forward and make a difference. Remi TV leads this movement in Rhode Island, proving that honoring unsung heroes ultimately strengthens the entire state.
To learn more visit https://remitvmedia.com/