pass the mic...
When we pass the mic, extraordinary things happen. ?
When we were asked to partner with Atlanta Film Society (IMAGE Film & Video) for their monthly Eat, Drink, B-Indie event last week, our team had the opportunity to curate the panel and theme. I knew this was a great opportunity to continue to re-introduce RE:IMAGINE (formerly re:imagine/ATL) to filmmakers and potentially some new partners. We are the only organization (that I know of) with the full Workforce Development Pipeline - Career Exposure, Training, and Job Placement. Even with the actors and writer's strike, we are BOOKING our apprentices for multiple paid jobs every week through our network of employer partners and our growing employment social enterprise.
Instead of moderating the panel myself, I made a conscious decision to have Laila Harrison lead the conversation with Dr. Arshley Emile of Timberhouse Films (one of our partners and talented DPs), Kennya Simms (2021 apprentice) and myself. Laila and our amazing Director of Education Lizette London wrote most of the questions and worked to ensure we were all set for the event. We focused on our model and mission and community but also leaned into the realities and challenges with NGO work in this space, the future of production with AI, and the importance of representation.
As I leaned into the uncomfortable I saw others rise up. I'm so proud of Laila and I've seen her grow so much this past year! In all honesty, this is a constant dance for me the pass the creative control. It's hard to set the "canvas" (as I say to my team) with the right balance of casting the vision, equipping with the tools - the brushes and paint, AND stepping back. It's a HARD place to be. But when I'm not overstepping others shine and so does my organization.
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One of the most rewarding moments of the night was hearing Kennya Simms share her journey, emphasizing how RE:IMAGINE has transformed her life and career. Knowing that every job she had in the last two years came through a Re:imagine connection is a testament to our network, trust we've built, and talented team members and Directors like Ebony Blanding who are constantly referring our apprentices to their network. When Kennya talked about the significance of working with a Black queer director, I was reminded of the profound impact representation can have in the creative industry and on an individual's career. This was just one of many inspiring moments of the night - listening to the other panelists and seeing our team in action was the highlight for me!
I'm learning that passing the mic is not always easy—it takes finding that balance between sharing the vision and equipping others. But it's worth it. When we pass the mic, we unlock untapped potential and elevate stories and perspectives that need to be heard. - Julie Straw, MPH, Executive Director, RE:IMAGINE