 |
| HAPPY INTERNATIONAL PODCAST DAY! I co-produced my first podcast in the early days of podcasting (back in ’07!), and remain a big fan of all things podcasting. In 2019 I helped start a new one: Sista Brunch – sharing the stories of Black women thriving in entertainment and media.We’re going into our 4th season this year, and since we’re still recording from home – I decided to step up my recording equipment and space. Click on the video above to see how I turned my office/wellness room into a podcast studio, and the equipment I’m using to get the best possible sound. While you’re there: please do TruJuLo a big favor and subscribe to the channel (if you haven’t already) and give the video a thumbs up. We’re on our way to 1,000 subscribers so we can get the channel monetized. When we monetize, we’ll be able to get help making the videos and making our content accessible to all. What are your favorite podcasts? Here are some of mine: Serial Season One – if you listened to this one – did you know Adnan Sayed has finally been released!? This American Life – my all time favorite. If you haven’t heard the ‘weightlifting snowman’ episode – you’re missing an opportunity to laugh your a** off How I Built This – and they just dropped this Issa Rae episode! I learn much needed info on building a business from this podcast FANTI – hosted by film critic Tre’vell Anderson and my dear friend Jarrett Hill, who “bring their pop culture and political expertise to things we must stan and stand up against” As an example: Will Smith. Hidden Brain – leaves me reflecting on life, love, spirituality and more for days and days. I’ve linked to one of my favorites ‘When did marriage become so hard,’ (and if you scroll down to Fanshen’s Fun, you’ll know why I’ve got marriage on my mind)WHAT ARE WE UP TO?  |
 The Future of Television: Social Justice and Media IndustriesI was a panelist for this conversation as part of the opening events for Arizona State University’s new film school: The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, “Unlike many other top film schools, which measure themselves by who they exclude, The Sidney Poitier New American Film School is inclusive.” Ms. Magazine’s Aviva Dove-Viebahn hosted the panel (she’s also a screenwriter and professor at the school) and I was joined by showrunner/producer Peter Murrieta (also a professor at the school) and screenwriter/costume designer/director Courtney Hoffman.  I presented the Inclusion Rider to AMC Networks this month as well. They’ve partnered with us on using the Rider more systemically – and this was a great opportunity to share the 4-step-process for using the Rider, and all the resources we’ve created to make it as easy as possible. I spoke with executives, showrunners, department heads, communications and their Chief People and Diversity Officer Aisha Thomas-Petit.  If you’re a producer – or interested in becoming one, here’s a great resource: Dear Producer. It’s a space of support for producers (of all experience levels). They also recently honored two women I adore – Liz Cardenas and Avril Z. Speaks. Liz produced one of my favorite rom-coms in recent years, 7 Days. Avril produced the feature film Jinn and is directing the ongoing docuseries Black America Is.      WE GOT MARRIED! First things first, dear friends and family: we did not do a big wedding – so please know it’s not that you weren’t invited. We both wanted something small and intimate, so we drove to the courthouse in Norwalk, CA, then had a friend who’s ordained marry us in our front yard. For those near us in Los Angeles, we are still planning a celebration – especially because my Cambridge friends Erik Wissa & Rima Freeman will not have it otherwise – so keep an eye out.Our rings: my engagement ring is the shape of the Star Trek Delta. Vinnie’s a huge fan – and despite a great deal of resistance at first – I now am wholly sucked into the Star Trek universe and loving it. Our wedding rings are made from Latin American and Australian driftwoods and mine has a strip of rose gold and his platinum. We got these gorgeous sustainable rings on Etsy at Grown Rings. We are so happy together and for this commitment we’ve made to each other for the long haul!SUMMER CAMP WHERE SOCIAL JUSTICE MEETS NATURE My brother Winston and I started going to the World Fellowship Center in our teens – and having been ‘dragged’ there by Mama Trudy at first we didn’t know what to expect. Was it a cult? Religious? Hippies? Was Jason going to pop out of the woods and kill us!?We ended up adoring this intergenerational, multicultural, progressive, justice-oriented, artistic, fun (and yes – a little bit hippie) summer camp and we go as often as we can. This summer we joined family to spread some of Mama T’s ashes in the pond. Winston, my niece and nephew and I made it up a pretty challenging hike to the top of Mt. Chocorua in the nearby White Mountains. We swam, ate well, Vinnie and I exchanged vows – and we plotted with the others on changing the world for the better. I made this video to share what it’s like there – because they’re hiring a new director. They’re also always hiring for summer staff. It would be amazing to have a Black or Brown person lead the camp – if at all interested, or you know someone who would be, please share: World Fellowship Work and Life.  Click Here for Booking a Consulting or Speaking Engagement |
