How It All Started
Straight Street Media was established as a nonprofit organization in September 2021 and is committed to producing thought-provoking visual and audio digital projects that motivate positive change. Although a new organization, its evolution began many years ago. From 1994 until 2007, Hicks and Associates successfully produced and distributed "PowerPoint," a two-hour news and information call-in radio program on national public radio in over 50 media markets, including Houston, Baltimore, Atlanta, Boston, and Philadelphia. The program aired on National Public Radio's (NPR) Talk Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.
The company also developed and produced high-quality video presentations for hotels and resorts. Services included script development, on-site production, and post-editing of the project. Clients included the Renaissance Orlando Resort, Renaissance Pine Isle Resort, Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Airport, Renaissance Atlanta Hotel, Vinoy Renaissance Resort, The Penta Hotel, and the Renaissance Waverly Hotel.
Hicks and Associates produced new car delivery videos for the Baranco Automotive Group of dealerships, including Baranco Pontiac/GM, Baranco Lincoln-Mercury, and Baranco Acura. The company produced an employee training video for Concessions International, a national Black owned food and beverage concessions company.
In 2008, Hicks & Associates transitioned to Straight Street Productions, LLC, a for-profit media production company consisting of a collaboration of talented individuals with over 75 years of combined experience in all aspects of video production...from live-streaming events to Emmy award-winning television programs.
The company began production development of If You Are My Brothers, a documentary and outreach project that follows the journey of two African-American men with prostate cancer. These two stories are intricately intertwined...two men with their challenges...two men with a common bond of brotherhood and hope. Other projects include the podcasts Boomer and the Millennial, Change Makers, and the Hammond House Museum Podcast.
The name Straight Street comes from the Book of Acts in the Bible. In Acts 9:11, Ananias is instructed to go to Judas' house on Straight Street, where he is to meet a man from Tarsus named Saul. Ananias visits Saul, who later becomes Paul, and his eyesight is restored; thus, our company slogan is "opening eyes to a new vision."