About Me:
I am a journalist, producer, writer, and filmmaker. I’m the child of immigrants, the eldest daughter of four, and a lover of storytelling in all its forms.
What is your role and how long have you been at StoryCorps?
I am the executive producer for the Brightness in Black initiative. I started on July 27 of last year, so I’ve been with StoryCorps for almost a year.
What does your job entail?
I oversee production for the project, highlighting and editing Black stories that show the full breadth of the Black experience specifically highlighting the love, joy, and value we inherently possess. What makes my role a little different are the visual elements—I think about how to implement photography, videography, and digital projects that will appeal to a younger Black audience. I want them to see the full beauty of not only our voices but our skin, our features, and our love.
What are the rewards of your job?
I love working with the people at StoryCorps. Before this, I was an independent film producer and journalist and I knew it would take a special role for me to work 9 to 5 somewhere again. But the vibe and work culture is great and I work with such a talented group.
I’m learning so much in my role and I feel fulfilled doing work that is so impactful–I get to show the full vibrancy of the Black experience and that is very sacred and special.
What are the challenges of your job?
Our animations are gorgeous, but video treatments are generally newer for StoryCorps, so I work to strike the right balance between audio and visual elements. It can also be challenging to have our content stand out in a saturated market place.
Like so many people at nonprofits, we each wear a lot of hats, but I’m impressed and inspired by how my colleagues manage it all. To me the grace, ease, and care we have with each other stems from our mission.
Why should everyone record a story with StoryCorps?
It’s a reminder that history is happening now–we’re so consumed by the hustle of our daily lives that we forget to make memories. Even if we think things will stay the same, they never do and this is an opportunity to memorialize a conversation with someone you love or would like to get to know better.
Specifically for Black people, recording with StoryCorps is an opportunity to maintain agency over how our stories are told. That is something we were not granted in the past. This is our way to leave our mark and say ‘we were here, this is how we spoke, this is what was important to us and this is how we loved.’ This is important not only for the immediate participants but so that future generations can get a peek into our world.
What’s your favorite StoryCorps story?
There are so many! But Miss Devine always comes to mind — the humor, the memory of an eccentric family member, the love, the lively animation, and those little snickers of laughter tucked inside it all. It felt so natural, so authentic. It reminded me of home.