about

We specialize in advocating for talent from diverse, intersectional backgrounds, including communities of color and LGBTQ+ identities.

About
Grand Rising Talent

Grand Rising Talent is a Los Angeles-based licensed talent agency & media strategy firm connecting diverse television talents and on-camera experts to impactful opportunities. Grand Rising Talent specializes in advocating for talent from diverse, intersectional backgrounds, including communities of color and LGBTQ+ identities. Grand Rising Talent currently represents a growing roster of talent including national talk show hosts, news anchors, cable news contributors, on-camera food experts, health & wellness experts, business experts, and more. Grand Rising Talent was created as an extension of GJP Media Services, LLC founded in 2012. GJP Media Services has served clients across the U.S., Canada, and Europe with brand-building publicity services rooted in top-tier television news expertise.

Our Story

Grand Rising Talent’s story is centered in service and storytelling. As a TV reporter in a top 5 media market, our founder developed a passion for telling stories that gave underserved populations, women, and millennials a voice. Her original reporting on cultural topics was frequently picked up by national media outlets. After starting GJP Media Services, friends across the television industry frequently inquired for strategy, referrals, guidance, connections, and support in their career journeys. It became clear there was power in talents being served by an executive who understands first-hand what it means to be a talent and empathizes with the challenges talents face navigating an ever-changing media landscape. Grand Rising Talent was born out of this need to provide talents with strong advocacy, to tell their unique personal and professional stories, and to help them create powerful content that is culturally revenant to today’s audiences.

Leadership

Giselle J. Phelps (she/her) is the Founder & CEO of Grand Rising Talent. Marking a decade of media entrepreneurship, Giselle has proven to be a highly trusted, strategic, and creative client advisor. Giselle has extensive experience in the development of high impact, results-driven media and communication strategies that elevate talent and brand awareness.

Before entrepreneurship, Giselle spent a decade working in television news. Giselle was a general assignment news reporter for a television station in Syracuse, NY and a weekend anchor/reporter for a 24-hour cable news station in Buffalo, NY. Giselle also worked as a reporter in Dallas, Texas, which is the 5th largest media market in the U.S. Additionally, Giselle has held various producing roles at the national level in the U.S. & Canada. Giselle was also a part of a Daytime Emmy-winning team for a nationally syndicated court program.

Giselle holds dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up in Ontario, Canada and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto. She also attended the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia on a study abroad program. Giselle is a regular public speaker and emcee for nonprofits, colleges, and youth organizations. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and currently serves on the National Advisory Council for ForbesBLK. Giselle previously served on the Board of Directors for Outfest. Giselle has appeared on ABC News’ Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Bravo, Sirius XM Radio, Fox News Radio, and many other outlets across North America.