Sia Stewart, better known as Sia Savvy, has made it her mission to shine a light on the people and the untold stories often overlooked in the media world.
Hailing from Oakland, California, the successful TV/film producer grew up surrounded by art, music, and culture. Her love for storytelling ultimately led her to earn her bachelor’s degree in media management from Columbia College Chicago and an MBA in Finance from Morehead State University.
A Successful Corporate Journey Before The Creative Leap
Savvy’s career began in corporate accounting as a senior project manager across multiple Fortune 500 companies. After a decade of climbing the corporate ladder and receiving accolades, she longed to pursue her true passion— television production.
“I moonlighted,” she tells BrownStyle Magazine exclusively. “I would do some small things at local radio stations. Later, I would work as a personal assistant for a production company.”
While working in production, she received small roles with larger productions.
“I met some great people willing to give me a chance,” she remembers. “I wasn’t shy about taking any opportunities, no matter how small they were— especially if it was on a television show or a film project.”
Eventually, Savvy was offered a full-time position as a field producer in the true crime genre. “This is where I got my real start. I took a leap of faith to see if it would work for me. And it did, and I’ve been doing it ever since!”
A Breakout Career In Television Production
Savvy’s television career is credited to hit shows such as ID Channel’s Calls from The Inside, Oxygen’s Snapped Behind Bars, and TVOne’s Fatal Attraction.
Her experience continued to grow, leading her to work on VH1’s reality sensation Black Ink Crew and other prominent network programs.
Her showrunner roles on ESPN’s award-winning docuseries Why Not Us: Southern Dance and Why Not Us: Grambling Dance further solidified her path in the industry.
She also directed several Tubi Original Documentaries, including Gone Before His Time: The Kobe Bryant Story, Sneaker Hustle, and the soon-to-be-released Left for Dead.
While Savvy says she is thankful for all the opportunities that have come her way in the entertainment industry, she admits it can sometimes be exhausting to be the only Black person on set.
“Unfortunately, most of the production companies producing Black shows for Black audiences lack diversity on their teams,” Savvy shares, reflecting on the reality of behind-the-scenes. “In some cases, I am either the only Black person in the room or the only Black person who has a voice, which means I have to be the voice for everybody else. Eventually, after doing that for years, it became exhausting. I experienced burnout at different points in my career.”
Savvy Media Group: Empowering Diverse Voices
Hoping to amplify the voices of women and individuals from diverse backgrounds, Savvy founded Savvy Media Group— a full-scale production company that takes TV/film projects from concept to post-production.
“My company recruits creative individuals with audacious new perspectives,” she tells us about her growing production company that launched in 2020. “We look for people who have the drive to innovate and bring about change in both scripted and unscripted television.”
Overcoming Burnout With Self-Care And Opulence
As you’d imagine, bringing about inclusivity in the entertainment industry requires serious focus and dedication. To maintain balance amid her busy career, Savvy is a firm believer in self-care.
“Meditation has become essential for me,” she shares, noting being intentional with her time is important to maintaining a work-life balance. “I have also learned to step back and take some time off to truly give myself time to regroup and recharge.”
Although her self-care routine continues to evolve over the years, Savvy says she never misses an opportunity to go to a spa to get a massage and facial.
From time to time, she also likes to treat herself to some retail therapy and good food. “I have a complete and utter shoe fetish,” she shares with a chuckle. “When I’m having a moment, I treat myself to a new pair of shoes or a new bag I had my eye on. […] Give me a good lobster tail or some lamb chops with a nice Ethiopian honey wine, and I am in heaven!”
Staying Grounded With Sisterhood
Savvy knows the importance of recharging her energy and drawing strength from her tribe.
“Sisterhood is so important to me,” she says, emphasizing the value of uplifting and holding each other accountable, both personally and professionally. “I want to build teams of strong women who can support each other.”
When it comes to her friendships, she insists on creating a safe space that allows for growth, not judgement.
“We have to love each other. We have to hold each other accountable and fix each other’s crowds when needed. And when sh*t falls apart, we need to get each other together. […] You can’t just let me walk around here thinking I’m doing it when I’m not.”
We couldn’t have said it better!
To follow along with Savvy as she reshapes the industry one TV show and film at a time, give her a follow on Instagram.
