Melissa Ingram

Aspire has undergone a brand shift during the past year to become a network that celebrates the experiences of black culture and urban lifestyle—and Ingram has been leading the evolution. She’s focused on ramping up programming under various verticals, including a new season of “ABFF Independent,” concert series “No Cover” and cooking shows “Butter + Brown” and “Hustle & Flour”; and on growing the network’s web presence via digital series such as “The Graduates.” Aspire celebrated its five-year anniversary this summer, and Ingram’s goals for the new year include wooing more influential producers and celebrity talent to the network.