Episode 27 - Ashley O’Shay - “Basquiat”
Photo Credit: Jameel Bridgewater
[Image Description: Ashley is pictured from the chest up. She stands against a black background, wears a black sleeveless top, gold hoop earrings, and makeup. Her black curly hair is shoulder length.]
In this episode, I speak with DP and director, Ashley O’Shay. We chat about the uniqueness of Chicago filmmakers, How she discovered her love for cinematography, her work on national brands, her work on Surviving R. Kelly, and her feature debut, Unapologetic, which centers queer Black women in the Black Lives Matter movement. Because we’ve got to show love for Chi-town and It’s so important for Black folks to both stand in our righteous rage and joy this week’s song is Jamila Woods’ “Basquiat” featuring Saba.
Episode 21 - April Dobbins - “No Agreement”
Photo Credit: Gabriela Williams
[Image Description: April is pictured from the neck up from the side as she glances into the camera. She wears a black and white floral top and a black and white paisley scarf with a hint of blue around her neck. Her hair is pulled back with a headband and she wears silver hoop earrings.]
In this episode, I speak with writer, photographer, educator, filmmaker, and proud mom, April Dobbins. During our conversation, we chat about her many, many, many artistic endeavors and the joys and challenges of making her first feature documentary, Alabamaland. Because we are so often defined by the situations to which we say, “Yes,” this week’s song, Fela Kuti’s “No Agreement” challenges us all to find power in small and large acts of resistance. Remember, “No,” is a complete sentence.
Episode 18 - Chloë Walters-Wallace - “Take Me Home, Country Road/West Jamaica”
Photo Credit: Aura Aura
[Image Description: Chloë is pictured from the neck up as she looks straight into the camera. She wears a black top and black and gold earrings. Her hair is an Afro parted on the side.]
In the this episode, I speak with Firelight Media’s Manager of Artists Programs, Chloë Walters-Wallace. In our conversation, we chat about what got her started in the documentary field, her work at the Tribeca Film Institute and the New Orleans Film Society, and some of Firelight’s new initiatives for BIPOC filmmakers. Because she is originally from Jamaica, this episode’s song is Toots & the Maytals, “Take Me Home, Country Road/West Jamaica.”
Episode 14 - Set Hernandez Rongkilyo - “A Thousand More”
[Image Description: Set is pictured from the torso up. They have a beard and wear glasses and a red shirt. The shirt has black text that reads “I AM UNDOCUMENTED.” The background is out of focus.]
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker and co-founder of the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, Set Hernandez Rongkilyo. In our conversation, we discuss their filmography the ways undocumented filmmakers are demanding authorship and agency in the telling of their stories. Because Set is a very proud Pilipino/Bicolano, this week’s song is Love, Anthony, & Maya’s “A Thousand More” from the album Rock the Mic for Human Rights in the Philippines: Stop the Killings.
Episode 9 - Claire Aguilar - “A Meeting in the Ladies Room”
[Image Description: Claire Aguilar is pictured from the shoulders up She stands in front of a screened window and a multicolored abstract painting. She smiles.]
In this episode, I speak with award-winning film curator, film festival director and television commissioning editor and broadcaster, Claire Aguilar about her career in documentary and her recent work with the American Film Showcase Pakistan. Because we first began working together, we always seem to run into each other to and fro from the restroom, this week’s song is Klymaxx’s R&B classic, “Meeting in the Ladies Room.”
Episode 5 - Ani Mercedes - “Money”
Photo Credit: Aymeé Cruzalegui
[Image description: Ani Mercedes smiles. She wears a black top.]
In this week’s episode, I speak with Ani Mercedes, CEO, Founder, & Impact Producer at Looky Looky Pictures. Because she’s a fearless hustler, this episode’s song is Cardi B’s “Money.”
Episode 4 - Sonya Childress - “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun”
[Image description: Sonya Childress smiles. She wears a multi-colored top.]
In this episode, I speak with Sonya Childress, Senior Fellow at the Perspective Fund, about her pioneering work in the field of documentary and impact. Because in all her work, she centers People of Color and Blackness, in particular, this week’s song is the New Rotary Connection’s classic, “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun.”
Episode 2 - Emily Cohen Ibañez & Ashley Solis Pavon - "It Takes Two"
Photo Credit: Andrew Kemmis Photography
[Image description: Ashley Solis Pavon sits in a chair. She wears a grey sweater and blue jeans. Emily Cohen-Ibañez sits next to her on the arm of the chair to Ashley’s right. She wears a beige sweater, a burgundy blouse, and blue jeans. The background is black.]
In this episode, I speak with director/writer, Emily Cohen Ibañez, and protagonist/writer Ashley Solis Pavon about their upcoming project Fruits of Labor and what it’s like to collaborate on the filmmaking process. Like Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock say, “It Takes Two.” I spoke with them at the 2020 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.
Episode 1 - Tracy Rector - "I'm Every Woman"
Photo Credit: Petter Cohen
[Image Description: A black and white photo of Tracy Rector. Her head is turned slightly to the left and her hands are in her pockets. She wears a dark-colored coat and dress. The background is made up of gauzy materials of varying textures.]
In this episode, I speak with Choctaw/Seminole co-founder of Longhouse Media, Tracy Rector about her filmmaking, her new gig with Nia Tero and, her mentorship with the 4th World Indigenous Media Lab. With everything that she does, like Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston, Tracy’s informal mantra should be “I’m Everywoman.” I spoke with her at the 2020 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.