Team FanSwap is more than just a show, it’s a presence in the community.

Back in the 1990s Black and Brown teenagers spent their Saturday afternoons watching the show ‘Teen Summit’ on Black Entertainment Television. It was a show that featured artists, but also a powerful message on issues facing the minority communities. Now, a local show in Manassas that started by Black and Brown innovators brings that positivity medium back with an online show called ‘FanSwap.’

According to their Facebook profile, “Fanswap is a show based in the DMV area that has created a platform to allow all creatives to showcase their talent. We highlight artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, influencers and more with the goal of swapping fan bases. Fanswap is 4 the culture and 2 the community, meaning we bring whatever is brewing in the culture right through your screens by live performances, meetings with businesses, cultural conversation and many other dope concepts.” Recently the PW Perspective met with show creators Bianca Diamond and Frank “The Host” Lee at Jirani’s Coffeehouse in Manassas, to discuss the vision for FanSwap and how it has already made an impact in the community.

Lee, who graduated with a Bachelor’s in Urban Development, has always had a desire to be a positive influence wherever he has gone. “I started out in the church,” said Lee, “and was heavily involved in ministry in both Richmond and Boston but always had a passion for the community and culture.”

He begins to explain how his love of music cultivated during his pursuits. “I was in a [music] group called ITG (In The Gap) back in the day. Everyone in the crew won titles around the country, we were even featured on BET. I was always on the management side of things mostly. For the most part I tried to stay behind the scenes. I was focusing on family and for a while I stopped working on music.”

“One day I connected with an artist in Boston and he encouraged me to get back in it. I was really good with kids, but the music never went away, so I said okay, I’ll do it.”

He talked about how after he got back into music the door opened into other avenues, including a special opportunity on his first podcast. “I picked up podcasting and I remember interviewing this one lady who was a child prostitute but is now a CEO of a major company. It ended up three hour podcast. I ended up doing 125 shows after her interview and it went national, all the way down to Miami. I was amazed at how successful it was.”

This success led to him coming back to the DMV. “When I moved back to VA a few years ago, I was trying to figure out which direction to go, and then the music comes up again. My wife told me, “You need to go for this.” I’m a believer if this is a God-given dream, don’t force it, so I went for it.”

He goes on to discuss how at the What’s Next? rally in July is where the concept of the show really began to come to fruition. “We were all sitting around at Jirani’s Coffeehouse talking about our dreams and I just brought up Fanswap. This is the second version of Fanswap, the original version took place a year ago and had 36 episodes. The pilot episode received over 700 views with no promotion, so we were amazed and decided to expand with an Open Mic session.”

Diamond, who left the healthcare profession after seven years to work full-time in entertainment, says patience is key to making the show a success. “My job wasn’t meshing with my life anymore, and it was time to go,” said Diamond. The mother of toddlers, she works diligently at ensuring the show is meeting the standards that she and the other members of the team have set.

She states that the balance of working on the show and family life is imperative. “It’s just trying to find the balance and patience knowing that I make sure I take care of my family first and give my all to the show.”

For Lee, he says that he adheres to a strict schedule and must be locked in to see it through. He gets up at 5am each day and works on the show until 8:30pm, making sure he has time for his wife and four children. He references to what he was once told by National Basketball Association Hall of Famer JoJo White at one of his basketball camps in Boston. “If you’re not working hard, someone else is.”

Regarding the show, Diamond talks about how it is unique in its purpose. “Fans get to learn about the community. It’s an opportunity to learn about a different culture a different music genre. Our show is about being a bridge and changing the narrative that black people don’t support one another. We meet with those who don’t just talk about it but be about it.”

She references how they have had such notable guests such as Manassas mayoral candidates Theresa Coates and Michelle Davis-Younger on the show. Davis-Younger won the race becoming the city’s first ever Black woman to win the office.

“We talk about the culture and the community by creating a narrative for people who may not know us,” says Lee. “At the end of the day, the Black dollar is going to invest in Black businesses. It’s our responsibility to reach back to the young people and that’s why I mentor people such as Carlos.” (Davila, whose M City Entertainment was featured in the PW Perspective recently.

Lee goes on to talk about why it was necessary to have the show in the current times. “It’s about addressing not only the problems but offer solutions. It’s about remaining current to what’s going on in our community. We got the people who were the nuisance of the community, and now they’re the positive people and we’re bringing them in. The people who said, ‘You can’t touch them,’ we went after them and now they’re making a positive difference. When it comes to living on faith, we have to be aggressive.”

Diamond brings up the show’s no-holds-barred approach and how it creates a level of authenticity not often seen in media. “We don’t censor our guests we allow them to speak on what’s really in their heads.  It’s a family atmosphere, we help build one another up.”

“We’ve discussed the Breonna Taylor shooting, from the importance of being a voice on important topics. We make sure we touch on current topics, so we stay connected to social media.”

So what should viewers take away from each episode? “I want people to leave each show with the idea that their perspective matters. Both the guests and viewers matter.”

Lee goes on to discuss about the time the group gave away upwards of $4000 in ice cream, groceries and school supplies during the discussions to set up the show. It became a precursor to what will take place on Sunday.

Bless Up Truck

Lee provides the concept for what will be taking place at Manassas Mall on Sunday. “We are going to bless up as many people as we can. The money you save on buying food for the holidays can go to bills or anything else. If you’re in need, yes come. Even if you’re not in need, come get blessed. Be present and it creates presence.”

The goals for next year involve the team helping people in the Black and Brown communities develop businesses.

So what can be done to create change going forward? “The change starts with us,” said Diamond. “We have to be motivated to go out and change the community from what it is to where you want it to be. It starts with getting involved in local elections. Each of us must do our part. After that once people see that you’ve changed, then they’ll see things fall in line.”

Lee agrees and says, “It starts with us, and we must lead with love.”

For more information on Team FanSwap and where you can check out their show, visit their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/teamfanswap/.