Substantial is an online subscription-based platform based in North Carolina, birthed out of the Eastern NC area. We develop multi-channel content focused on amplifying positive stories within the Black community while raising awareness regarding relevant issues that affect our community at the local, state, and national levels.
The Substantial Media platform strikes a balance between inspiration and information, traditional and digital, community, and family. Through photography, journalism, radio, podcasts, public television, and social media we achieve our mission of showcasing to the world just how Substantial our communities are.
Substantial also looks to create a medium where creativity runs free. We want our contributors to tell their stories and the stories of others through mass media that has our best interests at heart.
Understanding the definition of the word Substantial is what gives us motivation and inspires us to continue this work. Of considerable importance, size, or worth. Strongly built and made. Important in material or social terms; wealthy. Concerning the essentials of something, real and tangible rather than imaginary. This one word “Substantial” sums up who we are as a Black community and we exist to ensure the world knows. Our motto simply stated: “We are substantial and so is our purpose.”
Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” ~ Carter G. Woodson
Our Leadership
President & CEO
Greg Hedgepeth was born and raised in Halifax County, NC and was a first-generation college student that attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. There he received his undergraduate degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration. He later received his Masters in Management and Leadership from Webster University. Greg is also in the early stages of his doctoral pursuit in Learning and Organizational Change.
Greg currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the NC State University Graduate School and is the President and CEO of Substantial Media, LLC an award winning minority multimedia platform that seeks to amplify the voices and stories of black and brown communities and bring awareness to important issues that impact these communities on a local, state and national level. Greg has been in the field of higher education marketing and communication for over 16 years, serving in leadership roles at the divisional and university level. Greg is a certified digital marketing professional, a husband, father of two beautiful little girls, a professor within the Mass Communications and Digital Technology Department at Shaw University, and a social entrepreneur. Greg has presented and facilitated at conferences, summits, and workshops all around the country and has been awarded for his service work within the minority community and the field of education.
Greg currently serves on the Elon University NC Local News Workshop Advisory Board and the East Carolina University Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Substantial is a proud member/participant of:
