Ever since she was young, Ylna Edmond ’09 loved the world of television and its power to tell stories. So, when she entered Brooklyn College, her choice of major was clear: television and radio (now television, radio & emerging media). An internship at MTV gained Edmond entrée into the industry. She worked for major hit shows—MTV Cribs, MTV Unplugged, 106 & Park, the BET Awards, and the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards—among others. Then she took a chance, left a full-time position at Nickelodeon, and accepted a short gig as talent logistic manager for Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘n Out, a sketch comedy and battle rap improv show that aired on MTV and VH1.That move put her where she is now, overseeing the many moving parts of a production and the talent on stage. Today, she also counts five Super Bowl half-time shows and one Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium among her many achievements—and is ready to give back to her alma mater.

Could you tell us a bit about your childhood?

I grew up in Harlem. I was drawn to artistic expression from a young age, thanks to all the programs and camps my mom enrolled me and my siblings in. As a kid, I was captivated by music videos, live performances, and documentaries. Something about the storytelling and the visual creativity, the way it was executed, fascinated me. I knew I wanted to play a role in bringing artistic visions to life, shaping experiences that resonated with others just as they did with me.

How did you choose your major?

I chose television and radio because of the endless possibilities in the TV world. What excited me was that I could dive into all sorts of artists, music genres, and show formats. It felt like being a kid in a candy store. And then there was TRL (Total Request Live) on MTV, which was blowing up big time. Imagine my luck—the MTV studio was in Times Square, practically my backyard! I made it my mission to land an internship there, which aligned perfectly with my major. Who wouldn’t want to be right in the middle of all that action? Talking about this gives me chills because I vividly remember riding the M7 and the M104 bus down Broadway on my way to high school, thinking, “I’m going to work there one day!” Twenty years later, it’s a full-circle moment—wow!

What made the biggest impact on you while at Brooklyn College?

The Magner Career Center and its director, Natalia Guarin-Klein, were instrumental during my early college years. They were pivotal in helping me draft my career blueprint with mock interviews and résumé workshops. The resource room at the center was my haven. It’s where I immersed myself in entertainment publications and surf the web, learning about C-suite executives and Fortune 500 companies. That experience laid the groundwork and fueled my ambition.

You started in television production and then expanded into talent management. How did you do that?

My mentor and boss at the time was crewing up for Wild ‘n Out and saw potential in me for the role of talent manager. It was a short-term gig—just three months—but I took a leap of faith. Looking back, it was undoubtedly the best career decision ever. It launched me into the talent space doing festivals and award shows, which eventually led me to working at Super Bowl pre-game and halftime shows.

What would we see if we shadowed you for a day?

I wear two hats: production manager and talent manager. Regardless of which I wear, my days typically start with diving into an e-mail vortex or fine-tuning schedules and budgets. Much of my work is conducted from home until I’m on-site for build or rehearsals—where the real excitement begins! Once on-site, it’s a whirlwind of a long day, from team meetings and rehearsals to overseeing the actual show. It’s a constant cycle of coordination. On the production manager side I staff crews and facilitate technical needs: lighting, staging, and camera equipment. I also collaborate with lighting vendors and post teams for show delivery. I collaborate with digital and social media departments to capture and disseminate social media assets. Managing talent can mean handling everything from chartering a private jet to legal matters, day-of movements to rehearsal schedules, credentials, and beyond.  Whether I’m managing the logistics for an entire production or catering to the needs of individual artists or celebrities, the responsibilities are extensive. Bringing a production to life truly takes a village and I’ve been privileged to have collaborated with some of the industry’s best to make that happen.

You’ve worked on the last five Super Bowls, including the most recent. Can you tell us what your first was like?

Honestly, it was AH-MAZING! My first was the Pepsi Halftime Show for Super Bowl LIV with J. Lo and Shakira (surprise guests J. Balvin and Bad Bunny). It had always been a lifelong aspiration of mine, so being a part of the process and a part of the team bringing a massive show like that to fruition was truly incredible.

What is foremost on your mind at this point in your career?

I strongly believe in continuous learning, growth, and refinement of one’s craft. I am focused on acquiring my project management professional certification and applying that expertise to leadership roles. Beyond that, I am thinking about how I can extend my support to Brooklyn College students looking to navigate the entertainment industry through mentorship. I’m excited at the prospect of guiding students on their journeys.