Kita Wright turns 46: from garbage truck dreams to popular media sensation as “The Pro.”
On Oct. 3, Kita Kenyatta Wright , BNW celebrated his 46th birthday. That’s a milestone, but try answering well wishes from most of his 89,000 Facebook followers, and you’ll get some idea of the popularity of one of Northeast Louisiana’s most popular bachelors.
Wright, a local videographer, entrepreneur, and personality, has become the talk of the region thanks to his latest creation: the “Black Death” candy challenge, a fiery sour dare that has gone viral on social media.
Joslyn, embraced Roosevelt (Daddy Ro) and Robert, and encouraged their
dreams. His father invested in the childhood dreams of all three sons.
Wanted to be a garbage man
But to truly understand the man behind the challenge, you have to look back at the boy who once declared his dream job was to be a garbage man.
As a child, Wright admired sanitation workers more than musicians or athletes. He studied their routines and practiced the professional skills of the men who did their jobs so well. He dreamed about riding on the back of a garbage truck, and for two years told his parents that was his career plan.
What might have sounded strange to some was actually a hint of who Wright would become; he had an “eye” for seeing things that others couldn’t see. He did not see the garbage; he saw the men, their strong hands, their dedicated faces, and their focus. It was a hidden gift he possessed, one that reflected in his passion for working with his hands, tinkering, building, and creating images with his creative eye.
The Wright family soon realized Kita’s passion wasn’t about garbage but about labor, tools, and the pride of doing a job well. His father bought him a video camera at age 13, and the rest is history..
Premature Birth
Born Oct. 3, 1979, at Caldwell Hospital in Columbia, La., Wright entered the world prematurely and spent his first 17 days in an incubator. His survival, celebrated by his family as a miracle, was marked with symbolism: when he was brought home, his father lifted him to the night sky and declared, “Behold, Kita Kenyatta Wright, BNW — the only person greater than yourself.” BNW — standing for “Brave and Noble Warrior” — became a lifelong tag.
Raised in Monroe, Wright embraced the strict household rules his father enforced. While his brothers honed their musical and public-speaking talents, Kita turned toward technology. At 13, when he was given a video camera and editing equipment, he found his niche. He became the videographer for Tabernacle Baptist Church, producing televised services every week without fail until his high school graduation.
At age 13, he began a thriving video business, recording church programs, weddings, graduations, and social gatherings and selling copies for $15. He had a staff of teenage friends and, after paying them, cleared over $300 a week.
Trained to be “The Pro”
He studied and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Art and was contracted to work at The Potter’s House with T.D. Jakes in Dallas. At the institute, he immersed himself in learning the latest technology. He didn’t party, date, or socialize; he studied and practiced in the labs long after the institute closed each day until the midnight hours. The school gave him a key to the labs as he honed his skills to become “The Pro.”
When he returned to Monroe, there were no more $15 videos; he was officially a college-trained professional who adopted the motto “I’m good, but I’m not cheap.” The institute taught him the value of his “eye,” so his patrons know they will get professional work at a professional price.
His photography and videography career flourished, earning him opportunities with the Associated Press, where his images of Hurricane Katrina, major athletic contests, and other events were featured in newspapers nationwide.
He used his gifted eye to capture individuals in magic moments: in bathtubs, under waterfalls, and even wet city streets. He never wanted just an iPhone snapshot; his “eye” gave his patrons the master’s touch. Having a signature photo from “The Pro” has become for many a must-have item.
Black Sugar Bakery
But Wright is more than a professional cameraman. He’s a serial entrepreneur. In 2018, he co-founded Black Sugar Bakery, selling teacakes based on his mother’s recipe.
He has also expanded into live streaming, pyrotechnics, and event production. His warehouse is filled with movie-making essentials from snow and smoke machines, to expensive jibs, likes scenery.
Streaming Service
Every week, he and his team live-stream local football games with his CNN-style trailer equipped with monitors, on-field cameras, microphones, and instant replay. Watching his livestreams with closeups and replays feels like watching an NFL game for local players.
His rolodex is legendary — filled with private numbers of judges, politicians, bankers, and officials statewide. When something is happening in Monroe, chances are Kita knows about it.
Despite his workaholic tendencies, Wright is remembered by those who know him best for his humor and generous spirit.
His Facebook presence reflects it: whether he’s showing off his firearms collection (over 50 legally obtained pieces), sharing behind-the-scenes footage, or laughing with friends about his latest candy dare, he’s always engaging.
The “Black Death” challenge is the latest example of his knack for mixing business with community fun. Thousands have tried the fiery sour candy, and thousands more have tuned in to watch the reactions.
“It’s about bringing people together,” Wright says, “even if it’s just to laugh at someone trying to chew one down.”
On his 46th birthday, the boy who once dreamed of riding the garbage truck has become Monroe’s master of moments — a man who builds, creates, entertains, and leaves people talking.
From miracle baby to the Black Death candy-dare, from the pews of New Tabernacle to the feeds of Facebook, Kita Wright has proven that sometimes the most unlikely dreams turn into the most unforgettable lives, with little help from the man upstairs.
