By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
When Shay Abrams talks about Birmingham, her voice changes.
The producer and marketing manager behind the wildly successful “Pour Minds” podcast has lived in Atlanta for nearly seven years but mention the 205, and she lights up. She talks about fish fries, grandparents, Black-owned businesses, Southern manners and a city she believes doesn’t get enough credit.
“Birmingham is a beautiful place,” Abrams said. “The things that I’ve been able to survive in Birmingham equipped me for being successful in my life.”
Today, Abrams helps lead one of the most influential Black women-led podcasts in the country. As producer and marketing manager for “Pour Minds,” she oversees everything from guest booking and talent relations to social media strategy and content production.
The show’s explosive growth has helped transform hosts Drea Nicole and Lex P from podcast personalities into nationally recognized media figures.
The “Pour Minds’ Still Sippin’ Tour” is headed to Birmingham tonight, June 18, and tomorrow, June 19, at Iron City.
But before the sold-out tours, viral clips and industry recognition, Abrams was simply a Birmingham girl with a dream.
Dreaming Bigger
A graduate of Minor High School’s Class of 2015, Abrams knew early on that she wanted a future in media.
“I knew at the time I really wanted to work in TV,” she said.
That dream became a little more tangible when she was selected for Disney Dreamers Academy, a national mentorship program created by Steve Harvey and Disney. The program brought together high-achieving students from across the country and connected them with professionals working in their desired fields.
For Abrams, it was a glimpse into a world she had only imagined.
Among her mentors were former Essence editor Michelle Jackson, media executive Mickey Taylor and television personality Terrence J.
“It was amazing,” Abrams recalled. “We were doing writing courses, on-air training. It was incredible.”
The opportunity opened doors she never expected.
After participating in the program, Abrams earned an internship with Essence Festival. Later, Terrence J surprised her with an internship opportunity in Los Angeles while he was working at E! News.
“He flew me to Los Angeles, and I got to intern with him while he was at E! News,” she said.
The experience confirmed what she already suspected: she belonged in media.
A Detour That Became a Blessing
Abrams originally planned to attend Clark Atlanta University after high school.
She had been accepted and was preparing to leave Birmingham when her mother delivered difficult news.
“We can’t afford Clark Atlanta,” Abrams recalled her mother telling her.
Instead, she enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she majored in mass communication with a concentration in public relations.
At the time, the change felt disappointing.
Years later, it would become one of the most meaningful full-circle moments of her life.
After graduating from UAB in 2019, Abrams expected to remain in Birmingham and pursue a career in marketing. Then, just days before graduation, she received a phone call about an opportunity at Clark Atlanta University.
The same school she once couldn’t afford was now offering her a job.
“I graduated on a Saturday and moved to Atlanta on a Tuesday,” she said.
Four years after believing Clark Atlanta was out of reach, she was working there.
For Abrams, it was proof that timing matters.
“It was definitely God,” she said.
Betting on Herself
Like many young professionals, Abrams found herself searching for answers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Marketing jobs disappeared. Plans changed. Instead of waiting for opportunities, she decided to create them. She taught herself graphic design. Then website development. Then photography. Then social media strategy.
“I just started teaching myself how to do a whole bunch of stuff,” she said.
Her philosophy was simple: learn the skill and figure it out along the way.
“I paid my tuition taking pictures,” she said, laughing.
What began with a camera her grandmother purchased for Christmas eventually turned into a thriving photography business. Abrams charged just $25 for graduation photos at first, focused more on gaining experience than making money.
“A lot of times people do stuff with the mindset of making money initially,” she said. “Sometimes you just need the experience.”
The same approach carried over into website design and social media management. She learned through YouTube tutorials, trial and error, and a willingness to practice.
During the pandemic, she designed dozens of websites and built a growing client list.
“I was doing everybody’s website,” she said.
Eventually, that hustle led her toward podcasting.
Finding Her Place
Long before she worked in the podcast industry, Abrams recognized its potential.
The challenge was finding someone willing to give her a chance.
“I was DM’ing every podcaster, big or small,” she said. “Please just give me a chance.”
Most never responded. Still, she kept trying.
Then in 2023, an opportunity with “Pour Minds” appeared.
Initially hired as a social media manager, Abrams focused on posting content and monitoring engagement. Over time, she began contributing ideas about strategy, audience growth and brand development.
She traveled with the team, photographed content and developed social media campaigns. Her responsibilities continued to expand.
A turning point came during a press tour in London. Watching a live podcast performance overseas, Abrams saw something bigger than the moment itself.
“I remember standing there thinking they’re (Drea and Lex) going to be in an arena one day,” she recalled.
Soon afterward, she applied for an open producer position. The role represented a major leap. Producing meant coordinating guests, communicating with talent representatives, managing production schedules and ensuring every moving piece of the show operated smoothly.
Despite her limited experience, the “Pour Minds” team trusted her.
“Instead of saying, ‘No, you don’t have the experience,’ they trusted me,” Abrams said.
That trust helped fuel the show’s continued growth.
Today, “Pour Minds” regularly generates viral moments, sells out live shows and reaches audiences across the country.
“You can’t scroll on social media without seeing a clip,” Abrams said.
Birmingham Never Left
Although Atlanta has become home, Abrams insists Birmingham remains part of everything she does.
“I’m an Atlantan with a Birmingham heart,” she said.
She jokes that she’s become a “Georgia plum” instead of a Georgia peach—still a Southern fruit, just planted in different soil.
While Atlanta sharpened her business instincts, Birmingham shaped her character.
“Birmingham made me who I am,” she said.
She credits the city with teaching her how to connect with people, build relationships and recognize opportunity.
“My yes ma’ams and my no ma’ams have gotten me very far.”
She also believes Birmingham deserves more recognition for its creative talent and entrepreneurial spirit.
“The first entrepreneurs I ever saw were the lady who did my hair, the barber up the street and the car wash owner,” Abrams said. “They were all Black-owned businesses.”
Those early examples showed her that building something for yourself was possible.
Just as importantly, Birmingham taught her the importance of family.
Abrams frequently returns home to spend time with her grandparents, whom she describes as some of the most important people in her life.
“Your grandparents are important,” she said. “That’s another amazing thing Birmingham taught me — you honor your people.”
Whether she’s attending family cookouts, helping care for relatives or simply sitting and watching the morning news with her grandfather, those moments keep her grounded.
Looking Forward
Despite helping build one of podcasting’s most recognizable brands, Abrams believes she’s still at the beginning of her journey.
She hopes to continue growing her production company, developing television and digital projects, and creating opportunities for other creatives.
She also has a specific goal in mind.
“In three years, I’m going to be an NAACP-nominated producer,” she said.
It’s an ambitious statement.
Then again, so was believing she could build a career in an industry that barely existed when she was in college.
For Abrams, success has never been about waiting for permission. It’s about showing up, learning the skill, sending the email and trying again when no one answers.
“Don’t get held up on the hiccups,” she said.
Because if her story proves anything, it’s that today’s closed door may simply be tomorrow’s opportunity waiting to open.
“Pour Minds’ Still Sippin’ Tour” comes to Birmingham June 18 and 19 at Iron City. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com.
