Candi Carter has worked as a television producer for over 25 years, starting her career at CNN in Atlanta. She then moved on to produce programming specials for WISN-TV, the ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, where she won her first Emmy Award. Carter was part of The Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago, where she spent 15 years producing some of the most memorable hours of daytime television.
When The Oprah Winfrey Show ended its historic run in 2011, Carter raised capital and co-founded New Chapter Entertainment. As CEO, her Chicago-based production company originated, developed and produced unscripted TV shows for broadcast, cable, syndication and new media. During that three-year run, she launched two talk shows for Telepictures TV (a division of Warner Brothers), Just Keke on BET and Ice & Coco on FOX. She also developed and executive produced presentations, pilots and shows for HGTV, Lifetime, Cooking Channel, Telepictures TV, TV One, BET, FOX, OWN, Tyler Perry Studios, PBS and RLTV.
In September 2015, Carter signed on as Executive Producer for the iconic daytime TV show, The View. The New York Times Magazine once named The View “The Most Important Political TV Show in America.”
Carter is currently the CEO of Cistus Media.
EBONY: Given your platform and success, how do you demonstrate your responsibility to help inspire others? Be it through your real-life actions, social media, etc.?
Candi Carter: I have a son with special needs, which inspired me to help him have friendships. Teens with special needs literally have no friends. They don’t get invited to parties or outings and usually sit at home alone on weekends. I started playgroups on weekends so my son would have something to do. Less than 2 years later, we have four groups in New Jersey serving nearly 100 families. It’s a very simple idea that has an enormous impact on the child and their entire family.
How do you ensure that you stay “charged up” in both the inspiration/motivation sense and physically in energy?
I schedule “me time” every week. I have two children, a husband and a very busy life. I get up at 4:40 a.m. and work out four days a week to keep my mind clear and my body strong. When I’m in shape and working out, I feel like I can accomplish anything.
Long after you retire, what would you like your legacy to be?
I would like my legacy to be that I was a good human being. I pride myself on loving, laughing and having fun! But most importantly, I want to help others. Giving children with special needs the space to have friends. Lifting up, connecting and encouraging people to live their best lives.
