Major Broadcasting Cable network producer Brian Lawson started paying his dues at N.C. Central. He recently got a break at MBC, but he said his time at NCCU gave him what it takes to get ahead in the entertainment industry.

Lawson graduated with a degree in business management in 1995, and returned to N.C. Central in 2000 to pursue his MBA. Before going back to school, Lawson joined MBC while it was in a marketing capacity to gain exposure in the Carolinas.

But being affiliated with MBC was just the first step for Lawson.

“I’ve always been in entertainment, and the opportunity presented itself when MBC was slightly changing their format from a completely gospel station to a more family oriented station,”said Lawson.

“I already had some concepts developed to shoot at other networks, but when the opportunity presented itself, I shot a couple of projects at MBC and they bid on one of them,”said Lawson.

The show that MBC went for is called “The Lounge.”

“The Lounge” is a video show with a new twist that separates it from the video shows of BET and MTV.

“BET and MTV primarily show fifteen videos that are at the top of the charts, but what we focus on is quality,” said Lawson. “You may see anything from ten years ago, from alternative videos to neo-soul artists,”said Lawson.

Although many music videos are played on MBC, don’t mistake it for just another music station. The only African American owned and operated cable network also highlights black college sports, and is the only network that airs CIAA games throughout the season rather than be limited to tournament coverage.

In the Raleigh and Durham area, MBC can be found on channel 129, and is already in about 27 million homes, with expectations to be in 40 million homes by the end of the year.

Lawson’s advice to media majors, or anyone looking to get into the business, is to always work hard.

“Central doesn’t have a strong communications department. When I was here, I focused more on the business aspect,” said Lawson.

“If I had to do it all over again, I would certainly take advantage of more of the internships, because it is a whole lot easier to get your foot in the door while you’re in school.”