A College Degree. Hundreds of Thousands in Revenue. A Billboard-charting Single. An Alpha Man.

IM DONE! Reflecting on my time in undergrad, I went out of my way to put myself in places where I could yield the experiences that I knew would mold me into the multifaceted man I wanted to, and knew I could, become. 
 
As an Academic & Scholar: Arriving to the University of Tampa in September of 2020, I pivoted early from a double major in New Media and Film, to a single major in Marketing, having realized that more is not always better. I figured out early what I was good at and therefore what academic avenues I needed to pursue to manifest my highest form of scholarship. Thus, I made the Dean’s list more than a few times, was involved in the first DEI committee at UTampa where carefully selected students met with corporate level administration to further DEI initiatives, earned over a dozen digital marketing certifications, and was nominated for multiple essay writing awards. More importantly, my academic career would not have been achievable without the guidance of a few special professors who made learning a vocation NOT a task: Dr. Devon Johnson, Dr. Lamanja Brown, Dr. Damien Contessa, Dr. Gary Beemer, Dr. Thomas Witherspoon.
 
As a Professional: I built my personal brand ‘Zaedizzy’ brick by brick, with the goal of gaining as much professional leverage as possible. I operated in a variety of different environments from internships, to freelance and contract work, to part-time & full-time salaried positions for various companies such as the 740 Project, Grammy U, Symphonic Distribution, Silverback Music, House of Jupiter, 300 ENT, Gasparilla Music Festival, and a plethora more. Further, in these environments, I operated in tons of different roles at different levels, such as digital and traditional marketing coordination and management, content direction and creation, graphic design, and project management. These roles consequently yielded a RIAA Platinum Plaque, a Billboard charting single, multiple iTunes charting singles, tens of millions of insights garnered, and tens of thousands of tickets sold. I’ve had over one hundred press campaigns published between the University of Tampa, Creative Loafing, The South Florida Insider, QRO Magazine, Billboard, Relix, and more—specifically in live music—across a plethora of major U.S. cities and venues; and I’ve done over $500k in revenue since 2020—while in school. The best part? I get up every day and do what I LOVE. My head has been so buried in the sands of passion—the work ethic, tenacity, resourcefulness, and creativity required to achieve as a solopreneur, soon to be entrepreneur—that only when I look up, am I able to see the realms of which my light has touched.
 
As an Alpha Man: I was MADE into the Tau Pi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. in the Spring of 2021, with the guidance of my prophytes Bayete Stevens, Matt Warren, and Richie Munroe, as the Deuce/Tail of my line with my LB, Algernon Shaw Jr., and as only a second semester freshman. During my time on the yard, I held office as multiple time Chapter Pres, Vice Pres & all other executive positions, was involved in the Florida FED District Finance Committee, brought hundreds of thousands of digital impressions to the Tampa Alpha chapters ΓΖΛ (Alumni), ΘΓ (USouthFlorida), & ΡΞ (St. Leo) via digital & content marketing, and lead TWO Solo-Ace Neophytes across those burning sands as part of the Dean Staff: first Jayden Gregory Spring 2023 and most recently, Grant Martin Spring 2025. Moreover, my brothers and I have held over 30 student-based events with 1000+ total attendees, fundraised over $30k for various causes, won the Greek Variety Show amongst ALL UTampa Greeks, won the Florida FED District Ms. Black & Gold for the first time in chapter history, and kept our beloved chapter alive against seemingly insurmountable odds. The Black and Old Gold lives deep in my heart and my soul—I love my brothers! “To be an Alpha man means more than just to wear a pin, It requires intrinsic qualities that are developed deep within…”
 
As a Human: I overcame my father going to jail, a herniated L5-S1 disc that took my ability to walk for months, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome. I healed myself immaterially in psychotherapy and healed myself physically in physical therapy. I dove deeper into my culture and reveled in discovering & implementing more robust, stronger belief systems & ways of being. I learned what it truly means to be multifaceted, patient, iconoclastic, tenacious, truthful, gritty, and calm. The road has not always been easy, and for that, it has been worth it in pursuit of forging a newer, brighter, better legacy of my own. I recognized my power to will; that some people can change the tide, and that however rare that person is, that person MUST exist—so why not it be me! 
 
Now, as I bring my reflection to a close, one might ask: Zaedizzy, what’s next? In response: I’m going to continue putting my blade to the grindstone, carrying my book in one hand and flame in the other, burning the midnight oil, and manifesting my will over this universe by shedding my blood, sweat, and tears—for my loved ones, my clients, and myself. Thus, if you or anyone you know is looking for a digital marketing and content SAVANT, give me a holler, my contact info is below—I’m open to contract and salaried positions. If not all good, you’ll see me around. 
#staydizzy🫡✌🏽🤙🏽🥹🤌🏽

Onwards and upwards,
D. Isaiah Stephens
Marketing B.S.
Owner | Zaedizzy Media
ΤΠ | Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
“There’s power in understanding.”
[email protected] | (443) 431-4696
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