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The Midwest Takeoff | Broadcasting Company

@themidwesttakeoff

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🚀Launching Dreams through interviews
💼 Cleveland to the world 🌎
🗣️You are the star, your voice gets heard!
🏆 OH • MI • 3x Award-Winning #PODCAST 🏆

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🚨 WAIT… THAT WIG WASN’T SUPPOSED TO GET CAUGHT! 😂🎬
One of the most memorable moments from Living Single happened because something went completely wrong.
At the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF), The Midwest Takeoff had the opportunity to sit down with legendary actress Anne-Marie Johnson, who took us behind the scenes of one of her unforgettable moments from the classic sitcom.
Anne-Marie, who played Sheila Kelly, was in the middle of an argument with @erikaalexanderthegreat Maxine “Max” Shaw.
She storms out of the room…
Turns around…
And then — her wig gets caught on a coat rack. 😳😂
She was stuck.
But instead of stopping the scene, Erika Alexander stepped in, freed her, and they kept going.
The moment was completely unplanned. The audience was laughing so hard that the production had to pause — and what started as an accident ended up becoming part of the finished episode.
🎬 No script. No rehearsal. No second take. Just two talented performers trusting the moment.
And sometimes, those unexpected moments become the ones audiences remember forever.
🔥 Anne-Marie Johnson just gave us the story behind the scene.
🙏🏾 A special THANK YOU to GCUFF for creating the space for The Midwest Takeoff to connect with incredible talent and hear the stories behind some of the moments that helped shape television history.
Now we want to hear from YOU:
👇🏾 What is the first Living Single moment that comes to mind when you think about the show?
Tag a Living Single fan who needs to see this! 👀
❤️ Like
💬 Comment
📲 Share
➕ Follow The Midwest Takeoff
The Midwest Takeoff — Where Stars Come to Shine. 🚀✨
#TheMidwestTakeoff #AnneMarieJohnson #LivingSingle #ErikaAlexander #MaxineShaw #GCUFF #GreaterClevelandUrbanFilmFestival #90sTV #ClassicTV #BlackTelevision #TelevisionHistory #BehindTheScenes #Cleveland #ClevelandOhio #FilmFestival #TroopNation by @themidwesttakeoff

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19 days ago

🚀✨ SEASON 5 IS OFFICIALLY CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ✨🚀

What started with a vision, faith, and consistency has now grown into something bigger than we ever imagined. 🌎🎙️ We are coming back as a 3x award winning 🏆 platform. The Midwest Takeoff is back June 16 with new energy, bigger guests, unforgettable performances, powerful stories, and an All-Star experience built for the culture! 🔥🏆

This season is about elevation.
Elevation in business 💼
Elevation in creativity 🎨
Elevation in purpose 🙏🏾
Elevation in legacy 👑

We’ve laughed, traveled, won awards, built relationships, and inspired people across the world — and now it’s time to take it even further. 🌍✈️

Season 5 isn’t just another season… it’s a statement.
“The Greatest” era begins NOW. 🐆✨

Shoutout to everybody who’s been rocking with us from Day 1. Your love, support, comments, shares, subscriptions, and belief in the vision helped make this possible. ❤️

📅 Premiering June 16
🎥 The Midwest Takeoff Season 5
🚨 LIKE • SHARE • SUBSCRIBE • COMMENT
🎙️ Where dreams takeoff.

#TheMidwestTakeoff #Season5 #TheGreatest #TroopNation #PodcastLife AwardWinningPodcast AllStarTeam WhereDreamsTakeoff Cleveland Media Culture Entrepreneurship TakeoffSeason June16 PodcastNetwork by @themidwesttakeoff

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Nuff said 😤😤🔥🔥🔥 Thank you to all that voted and helped put this event @ohio_entertainment_awards together BIG shout out to @dreday4everbaby @andrewlloyd216 for the opportunity to showcase our talents 💯 We look forward to another year of greatness!!! taken in Akron, Ohio by @themidwesttakeoff

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🚨🎬 CLEVELAND… THE RED CARPET IS CALLING! WILL YOU BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT?! 🌟🔥🎤

WHEN THE MIDWEST TAKEOFF SHOWS UP… IT’S NEVER JUST AN EVENT — IT’S A MOVIE! 🎥🍿✨

CLEVELAND, GET READY! 🚀🏆

The award-winning THE MIDWEST TAKEOFF is officially BOOKED and bringing that CINEMATIC RED CARPET EXPERIENCE to CONCRETE COUTURE: Featuring Artisans of Fabric! 🥂👑🌹

🎤 Your red carpet host, TROOP NATION, is stepping into the spotlight, bringing exclusive interviews, unforgettable moments, Hollywood energy, and the elegance that EVERY STAR DESERVES! 📸✨

We’re not just capturing the moment… WE’RE MAKING THE MOMENT ICONIC! 🎬🔥

It’s an absolute HONOR to be part of this extraordinary fashion production celebrating ARTISTRY, CULTURE & COUTURE! 👔👗💎

And CLEVELAND, when we arrive, the cameras are rolling, the lights are flashing, and the STARS are SHINING! 🌟🎥

🔥 NOW THE QUESTION IS… WILL WE SEE YOU ON THE RED CARPET?! 👀🎤

📍 Cleveland State University — Student Center Ballroom
📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026
⭐ VIP Entry: 5:45 PM
🎬 Showtime: 6:35 PM
🎟️ TICKETS AVAILABLE ON EVENTBRITE!

🚨 Don’t just hear about the experience afterward… BE PART OF THE EXPERIENCE!

👇🏾 TAG YOUR RED CARPET DATE! ❤️
📲 SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FASHION CREW!
🎟️ SECURE YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THE BIG NIGHT!

🚀 THE MIDWEST TAKEOFF — WHERE STARS COME TO SHINE! 🌟

#ConcreteCouture #TheMidwestTakeoff #TroopNation #ClevelandFashion #ClevelandEvents by @themidwesttakeoff

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4 days ago

🚨🎬 WHO SAID YOU HAVE TO LEAVE CLEVELAND TO MAKE HISTORY?! 🌟🔥 THE LAND IS FULL OF STARS! 🚀

🎥 15 YEARS OF BLACK EXCELLENCE, CINEMA & CREATIVITY! 🏆✨

🎬 THE MIDWEST TAKEOFF × GCUFF — OFFICIAL RECAP! 🚀

CLEVELAND, STAND UP! 🗣️🔥

What an incredible honor celebrating the 15TH ANNIVERSARY of the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF)! 🎉

For 15 years, GCUFF has elevated voices, created opportunities, and reminded the world that GREATNESS LIVES IN CLEVELAND! 🌎💎

🎤 The Midwest Takeoff had the privilege of interviewing amazing actors, filmmakers, producers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and visionaries who are shaping the future of entertainment!

💎 Every interview told a story.
🎬 Every filmmaker carried a vision.
🚀 Every conversation reminded us WHY WE DO THIS!

CLEVELAND DOESN’T JUST PRODUCE TALENT — WE PRODUCE LEGACY! 🏆🔥

To every dreamer: STOP WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED! Create opportunities, remain consistent, believe in yourself, and NEVER stop chasing your vision! 💯

🌟 SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO OUR ALL-STAR TEAM!

🎥 @logankyngston — Capturing the magic behind the lens!

🎤 @216hundo — My incredible co-star bringing the energy!

🚀 @troopnation — Your founder and host, continuing our mission to elevate rising stars!

❤️ HUGE THANK YOU to GCUFF, its leadership, volunteers, and everyone investing in Cleveland’s creative community! We’re honored to be part of this historic celebration! 🙏🏾

CLEVELAND, YOUR LIGHT IS TOO BRIGHT TO BE IGNORED! 🌟🏙️

👀🔥 And the stories we captured? YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THEM!

👇🏾 TAG A CLEVELAND CREATIVE WHO DESERVES THE SPOTLIGHT! 🎬

❤️ LIKE | 💬 COMMENT | 🔁 SHARE

🚀 THE MIDWEST TAKEOFF
⭐ WHERE STARS COME TO SHINE! ⭐

#GCUFF #GreaterClevelandUrbanFilmFestival #TheMidwestTakeoff #TroopNation #ClevelandFilm by @themidwesttakeoff

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9 days ago

🚨🎬 WE MET ON A MOVIE SET… YEARS LATER, LOOK AT US NOW! 😳🔥

FROM AKRON TO THE RED CARPET! 🎥✨

Sometimes life brings people back together just to remind you how far you’ve come! 💎

A few years ago, I connected with award-winning actress, producer, and casting associate Crystle Paynther (@ohcaligirl) while filming ONE FAITH in Akron, Ohio.

FAST-FORWARD TO 2026… 🚀

We’re reunited at the 15TH ANNUAL GREATER CLEVELAND URBAN FILM FESTIVAL (GCUFF) — but this time, she’s sitting across from me for an exclusive conversation with The Midwest Takeoff! 🎤⭐

🎬 ONE FAITH IS STILL STREAMING ON TUBI! 📺🔥

And we’re celebrating something even BIGGER…

🎉 15 YEARS OF BLACK FILM, BLACK EXCELLENCE, AND CLEVELAND MAKING HISTORY!

Shoutout to founder Donna Dabbs, President Shelley Tobias, and everyone helping create opportunities for independent filmmakers, actors, and storytellers!

Shout out to @angelelaye thank you for putting me in my first film 🎞️ 🙌🏾

💎 This isn’t just an anniversary. It’s a celebration of vision, consistency, relationships, and the POWER of believing in your dreams!

👇🏾 LET’S TALK!
Have you watched ONE FAITH on Tubi yet? 👀🎬

❤️ LIKE | 💬 COMMENT | 🔁 SHARE

🚀 THE MIDWEST TAKEOFF
Where Stars Come to Shine. ⭐

#GCUFF15 #TheMidwestTakeoff #CrystlePaynther #BlackCinema #ClevelandFilm

#OneFaith #GCUF #Filmmaking #Tubi #CreativeFounder #President #Festival #Experience #COVID #Akron by @themidwesttakeoff

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10 days ago

🚨 STOP WAITING FOR YOUR BIG BREAK… CREATE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITY! 🎬🔥

Crystle Paynther just dropped a GEM at the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival that every young creative needs to hear. 💎

When asked what advice she would give her younger self — or a young girl looking up to her — Crystle shared three powerful words:

“CREATE, DON'T WAIT.” 👏🏾🔥

Too many of us are waiting for somebody to discover us.
Waiting for the right connection.
Waiting for somebody to open the door.
Waiting for permission to start.

But what if the opportunity you've been waiting for is something YOU'RE supposed to create?

🎬 Bring your ideas together.
🤝🏾 Unify your community.
💡 Use the resources you already have.
🔥 Build with the people around you.

Crystle reminded us that when we come together, we can create something major — even things the world hasn't seen before.

UNITY ISN'T JUST ABOUT STANDING TOGETHER. IT'S ABOUT BUILDING TOGETHER. 🌎💯

Imagine what our communities could accomplish if we stopped competing against one another and started creating with one another!

🙏🏾 Thank you to GCUFF for helping The Midwest Takeoff capture these powerful conversations and shine a light on the creatives inspiring the next generation.

💬 QUESTION: What have you been waiting for that you could start creating TODAY?

Drop it in the comments! 👇🏾 Tag a creator who needs this reminder, and share this with someone waiting for their opportunity.

🚀 The Midwest Takeoff — Where Stars Come to Shine.

#CrystlePaynther #GCUFF #TheMidwestTakeoff #CreateDontWait #Cleveland #ClevelandCreatives #OhioCreatives #BlackCreatives #BlackHollywood #Filmmaker #Entrepreneur #CommunityUnity #Collaboration #CreativeCommunity #Motivation #DropGems #TroopNation #CreateDontWait #Motivation #CommunityBuilding #Unity #Inspiration #Entrepreneurship #Empowerment #ReelsInspiration by @themidwesttakeoff

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11 days ago

🚨 THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT AREN’T ALWAYS THE MOST TALENTED… SOMETIMES THEY JUST REFUSED TO QUIT. 🔥🎥

That right there is the GEM. 💎

Randy Buffington dropped a powerful reminder during his conversation with The Midwest Takeoff at GCUFF:

“The people that make it… more times than not, they just decided not to give up.”

Everybody encounters those moments when things get tight.
Everybody gets discouraged.
Everybody questions the vision.
Everybody has moments when walking away feels easier.
But if you still have that drive…
If you still believe in what you're building…

KEEP GOING.
Because sometimes the difference between the person who makes it and the person who walks away isn't talent.
It's simply the decision to keep keeping on. 🔥
And the best part?
When you watch somebody else accomplish what they once dreamed about, it becomes proof that YOU CAN DO IT TOO.

The proof is in the pudding. 👀
🎬 The Midwest Takeoff was honored to capture this conversation at GCUFF.
🙏🏾 Thank you to The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival for creating a platform where filmmakers, storytellers and creatives can share their voices and drop gems like this.

💬 WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP ON?
Drop it below. 👇🏾

Someone reading your comment might need that reminder today.

🚀 The Midwest Takeoff — Where Stars Come to Shine.

#TheMidwestTakeoff #RandyBuffington #RandyIsIce #GCUFF #Cleveland #ClevelandOhio #Motivation #NeverGiveUp #KeepGoing #Perseverance #SuccessMindset #EntrepreneurMindset #CreativeMindset #Filmmaker #Storytelling #ClevelandCreatives #BlackCreatives #OhioCreatives #DropGems #MotivationDaily #TroopNation#NeverGiveUp #Motivation #Resilience #FilmmakerLife #KeepGoing #Inspiration #MindsetMatters #FilmFestival by @themidwesttakeoff

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12 days ago

🚨 HE GOT LAID OFF… SO HE BOUGHT A CAMERA AND IT CHANGED HIS LIFE. 🎥🔥

What do you do when the job you thought was your path suddenly disappears?

For Randy Buffington, getting laid off became the moment that pushed him to bet on himself.

Randy shared with The Midwest Takeoff that he had been a sports reporter, covering stories through the lens of sports. But eventually, he realized something bigger:

Storytelling was his lane.
It didn't matter whether the person in front of his camera was an All-Star or an everyday person. If they had a story worth telling, Randy wanted to be the person behind the camera.

After getting laid off, he decided he had to better himself. He bought a camera — an FX3 — and got to work.
And he started cooking. 🎥🔥

Today, his mission is simple: tell the stories of everyday people.
And even more powerful?
He doesn't see the people he covers as strangers.

“Everybody that I try to cover these days is family.”
That's the kind of storytelling we believe in at The Midwest Takeoff — real people, real journeys, real Cleveland stories.

It was an honor to sit down with Randy during GCUFF and give another storyteller his flowers.
🙏🏾 Thank you to GCUFF for creating a space where filmmakers, storytellers and creatives can connect, create and be seen.

💬 What would you do if you lost your job tomorrow? Would you play it safe… or finally bet on yourself?

👇🏾 Tell us in the comments.
🎬 The Midwest Takeoff — Where Stars Come to Shine. 🚀🌎

#TheMidwestTakeoff #RandyBuffington #RandyIsIce #GCUFF #Cleveland #ClevelandOhio #ClevelandFilmmaker #Filmmaker #FilmDirector #Storytelling #DocumentaryFilmmaker #Videographer #ContentCreator #CreativeEntrepreneur #BlackFilmmakers #BlackCreatives #ClevelandCreatives #OhioCreatives #ClevelandCulture #FilmCommunity #TroopNation #StackTheFilm #Storyteller #FamilyFirst #PassionProject #NewBeginnings #LifeAfterLayoff #Photography #Filmmaker #Reels by @themidwesttakeoff

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12 days ago

🚨 WHAT IF THE RELATIONSHIP DIDN’T END BECAUSE THE LOVE DISAPPEARED… BUT BECAUSE THE COMMUNICATION DID? 💔🎬

DeVon Lamont Thomas dropped a line during our GCUFF conversation that hits DIFFERENT:

Sometimes what goes unsaid speaks louder than anything you could actually say.

While breaking down scenes and themes from his short film The Space Between, DeVon talked about something many couples experience but rarely discuss — growing with someone for years, only to realize you may be growing in two different directions.

The conversations get shorter.
The distance gets bigger.
And eventually… the silence becomes the conversation.

😳 That’s when this stopped feeling like just a movie discussion.

This is about marriage. Growth. Communication. Love. Loss. And what happens when two people still have history together but can no longer hear each other.

🎬 Tap into our full conversation with DeVon Lamont Thomas and discover the deeper meaning behind The Space Between.

Special thank you to the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF) for continuing to create a platform for Black filmmakers and stories that deserve to be seen.

🚀 The Midwest Takeoff — Where Stars Come to Shine.

👇🏾 REAL QUESTION:
Can a relationship survive when communication disappears?

#TheSpaceBetween #DeVonLamont #GCUFF #TheMidwestTakeoff #BlackCinema #BlackFilmmakers #Marriage #Relationships #RelationshipTalk #Communication #LoveAndMarriage #IndependentFilm #ClevelandFilm #BlackActors #FilmTok #WhereStarsComeToShine

#Marriage #Communication #Relationships #PersonalGrowth #Love #Connection #UnsaidWords #LifeLessons by @themidwesttakeoff

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13 days ago

🚨 “HOW AM I ABOUT TO RAISE A MAN… WHEN I’M STILL FIGURING OUT HOW TO BE ONE?” 🎬💎

That statement stopped us.

Actor, filmmaker and writer DeVon Lamont Thomas opened up with The Midwest Takeoff about his upcoming film Neat No Chaser — a story rooted in generational trauma, father wounds and his own experience becoming a father.

DeVon shared that when his first son was being born, he found himself asking a question many men may be afraid to say out loud:

How do you give your son what you’re still learning how to give yourself?

Instead of running from that experience, he turned it into a SCRIPT. 🎥

This is bigger than film. This is storytelling becoming healing.

💎 Watch the full conversation for the story behind the movie, his personal journey and the gems he dropped for the next generation.

🎬 Special thank you to the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF) for creating a space where Black filmmakers and powerful stories can be seen, heard and celebrated.

🚀 The Midwest Takeoff is an award-winning broadcasting company dedicated to giving rising stars, creators and established voices a platform to tell the story behind the success.

Where Stars Come to Shine. ⭐

👇🏾 MEN/FATHERS: Did becoming a parent ever make you question things from your own childhood?

#DeVonLamontThomas #NeatNoChaser #GCUFF #GreaterClevelandUrbanFilmFestival #TheMidwestTakeoff #BlackFilmmakers #BlackCinema #BlackFathers #Fatherhood #GenerationalTrauma #BreakingGenerationalCycles #MensMentalHealth #IndependentFilm #ClevelandFilm #BlackActors #Filmmaking #Storytelling #FilmInterview #ClevelandCreators #WhereStarsComeToShine

#Fatherhood #GenerationalTrauma #Filmmaking #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness #RaisingMen #Storytelling #Authenticity by @themidwesttakeoff

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