What Do You Do?

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Gag me! It’s the first thing anyone asks you at a party or an initial meeting, “What do you do?” The funny thing is that the interrogator always wants a specific answer, but in my mind I can’t help but think: produce, read, write, blog, dance, (try to) sing, (try to) cook, travel, listen, run and many more. In fact, the other evening when I cited more than one interest someone said, “No. Wait. Just give me one thing.” I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. Who in the world ‘does’ only one thing? How boring would that be? The honest truth is, most people only think that you’re doing something if you get paid. So they’re ingenious in asking, “What do you do?” They really would like to ask, “How do you make a living?”

Sadly, I think this informs our perspective on what adds value to our lives. Too often than not, I’ve met people who only define themselves by their work. So, today will be the first in a series of posts where I ask people, what they do outside of their “office.” More than one answer is certainly allowed and encouraged. Because whether others want to believe it or not, no one is solely defined by the function that pays their bills!

NAME: Stephanie  AGE: Nunja (business)  CITY: Boston  PROFESSION: Educational Research Specialist

 HIGHLIGHTED INTEREST: Photography

Beacon

 

How long have you been interested in photography?

I have played with photography off and on for most of my life.  I started taking pictures as a child with my mom’s camera – chopping heads off with her point and shoot, and setting up “scenes” around the house and using a Polaroid camera to capture them.

How do you select your subjects?

During a summer class in Florence, my professor challenged us to move outside the norm and learn what we could see / say about Italy, that others previously had not.  This was a huge challenge, but it still informs my style! I like to shoot urban landscapes with exciting intersections of lines and angles. I mostly shoot outdoors and in cities, but sometimes just wherever I happen to be (and have my camera).

Lamp

Have you thought about ways to link your current profession with photography?

There is a non-profit in London called Photo Voice. Photo Voice is a participatory action research method, where the researcher gives selected participants a camera, and has them take pictures of what interests them pertaining to a certain prompt or topic. Participants are also given lessons before they begin. This technique has been used all over the world to give a voice to underserved populations, inform policy makers, or advocate for those who cannot speak out for themselves for any reason.

At The Top

If you could drop everything that you are doing today and pursue this as a career, would you?

I would LOVE to work with Photo Voice – it would combine my love of photography and helping diverse populations / communities with my research skills!

Intersection

 

 

Other Interests?

Sports: Rec soccer, watching football and basketball… GO CAVS (even without LeBron!)

Travel:  I love to view/photograph new spaces, seek out local restaurants and breweries, and enjoy whatever a city has to offer.  I want to go to all 50 states – I’m a little over half done.

Volunteering: I worked with City Year in DC for 2 years.  Now I regularly assist the Friday Night Supper Program, which provides hot meals and camaraderie to anyone in Boston every Friday night.

 


Inspiration and Positivism!

Our world is inundated with heart wrenching news stories and social problems of all kinds – poverty, unequal educational opportunities, discrimination, violence, etc.  On difficult days, touching stories of triumph, powerful quotes, and creative new ideas help me keep my head up and push myself towards achieving lofty goals.  I am thankful for the intelligent, talented and beautiful people in my life that continue to make me laugh when things get too serious, while supporting and encouraging my (sometimes crazy) ideas!

So, what do you do? Tell me below so I can include you in the next post. 
~Thankful 

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The Table Read Initiative

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Yesterday, I was fortunate to attend The Table Read Initiative hosted at the WGA West. The event, produced by Mike Flynn, Lena Waithe and Codie Elaine Brooks, was the first of many showcases of unproduced scripts written by up and coming writers with diverse backgrounds.

Co-Creator/Event Producer: Lena Waithe; Lenox Ave Scribe, Event Co-Creator/Producer: Mike Flynn; Event Producer: Codie Elaine Brooks

Ultimately, the aim of this function is to increase the diversity of showrunners in television. Last night’s read featured Lenox Ave. Written by Mike Flynn (Life on Mars, Happy Town, Detroit 1-8-7) who’s also a co-creator of the event, Lenox Ave is an hour-long drama set in 1920’s Harlem during Prohibition and the start of the Harlem Renaissance. The time period alone was rich with culture and Mike Flynn has imagined equally rich characters to uncover a world that’s never been explored by a t.v. series. Lenox Ave is fresh, layered, compelling and I found myself having genuine moments of laughter and concern.

Yesterday evening was extremely well put together. 21 amazing actors and actresses lent their talents to the read, including, but not limited to, Dennis Haysbert, Naturi Naughton, Jurnee Smollett, Andre Royo, Lee Thompson Young, Charles Parnell, Lamorne Morris, Arlen Escarpeta, Geoff Stults and Kelley Robins Hicks. This group, directed by Kevin Hooks (24, Prison Break, Detroit 1-8-7), performed for over 100 audience members. Among them were network executives, agents, showrunners, writers and the list goes on.

Flynn, Waithe and Brooks plan to have two of these events each year. The next read for 2012 will be a half-hour pilot. They have yet to choose a project for the second TRI, but are currently assembling a committee that will be in charge of selecting submissions. If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact: thetablereadinitiative@gmail.com.

Even if you have no interest in television, yesterday evening was a prime example of taking action. It’s easy to discern a need but quite difficult to implement a solution. I’m thankful that these talented individuals and groups have come together to form a creative synergy towards a positive end, increasing diversity in television. I can’t wait for the next Table Read Initiative!

~Thankful

The Table Read Initiative on Facebook!

An Innovative Attitude

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As a member of the Millennials, I’ve heard over and over again that this isn’t our parents’ job market. Just the other day, my friend’s mother apologized to us saying, “you’ll be inheriting quite a mess.” Let’s be honest, while the worst of it may be felt years from now, everyone is affected in the present.

I remember thinking about my mother’s career relative to my own. When she completed her Bachelors, she had a six-figure salary as an engineer. And, by the age of 25, she had a child and a home. Many of my friends who graduated from UC Berkeley were looking for jobs for up to 6 months post-graduation. Some even found themselves settling for positions that they could have gotten with a high school diploma. Quickly, those who thought that they’d be on the fast track to a successful and fulfilling career, were forced to re-evaluate. The economic shift has not only created more obstacles along the path to financial stability, it’s changed they way that my generation views marriage, starting families and purchasing homes. A good friend of mine came to the realization that she might not be in position to have kids until age 35 – which isn’t too late, just far later than she’d hoped.

But with all of these hardships, there is as always a silver lining. There may be more obstacles along the road, but I would also argue that there are more avenues to get around them. These new routes to success however, aren’t paved, many of them are overgrown with weeds and it’s our job to prune them. Now, more than ever, people are encouraged to innovate. Pursuing a career that requires inventiveness and entrepreneurial action isn’t always stable and this may be daunting to those who look for security.  But when I hear friends, strangers, colleagues or family members lament about the lack of opportunities, I have to remind myself of one thing. In my mind, one thing is for sure; this new economic climate will be kind to those who are optimistic and capable of thinking outside of the box. Will Smith’s quote that, “being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity,” has always been true. But today, being realistic may lead to something less than mediocrity.

Yesterday, I read a great article: “How I Became My Own Mentor in a Freelance Economy” by author, Courtney Martin. At 32, Martin discusses how she’s never had a traditional job. And, while this was a path she chose, some of her friends have had to adopt the same ‘freelance’ lifestyle against their wishes. Martin details a wonderful array of how she’s adapted, how establishing a personal mission statement has proved a helpful guide, and how she learned to accept that her career path would require that in some ways, she function as her own mentor. Her article is well worth the read, even if you aren’t and don’t expect that you’ll be a ‘freelancer.’

So, if you find yourself down or stressed out about professional opportunities, try thinking outside of the box.

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

-Wayne Dyer

~Thankful

Scandal: A Step in The Right Direction

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It’s rare that I come away from a screening, panel or an event filled with energy.  But, when it happens, it’s invigorating. When I submitted my application to the University of Southern California’s Stark Program, admissions required a statement of purpose. I knew then that I wanted to create more diverse roles for people of all colors, genders, religions and so-on. As much as we’re brought up to consider the television as the “boob-tube,” or film as a simple form of entertainment, these media serve a much larger role. With all the time we spend in front of screens, we become conditioned. Subconsciously or not, media shapes our sense of self, our language, our values, makes us reconsider what is important in our lives, tells us what we need to be “content” or “successful,” and the list goes on. If you are a young black female, a young asian male, gay, or find yourself in any minority, and you don’t see positive and multi-dimensional depictions of yourself, then you may draw any of the following conclusions: 1) You don’t matter, or that 2) You aren’t layered. And, that all of those possibilities that some characters have on-screen aren’t available to you. If a young girl only sees images of male doctors, then what’s to make her believe that she too could become a doctor? I shouldn’t forget to mention that almost everyone benefits from seeing positive depictions of all people.

Well, yesterday evening I had the opportunity to see a preview of Shonda Rhimes’ new show Scandal hosted by the NAACP’s Hollywood Bureau at the Paley Center for Media. ABC’s hourlong drama stars Kerry Washington playing a likeness of Judy Smith, a professional crisis manager. Smith has worked for over 25 years managing the personal time bombs of several of Washington DC’s elite. I believe that this show marks the first network program with a Black female lead since Diahann Carroll’s Julia which aired from 1968-1971. And, interestingly enough, during the Q&A following the screening, someone asked Washington if she’s ever had a dream role. This talented woman, who’s always been goal driven, said that as a Black actress she never even considered that being the lead on a television series could be a goal for her. And do you want to know why? She’d never seen it before.

Scandal has dynamic writers and a wonderfully talented and diverse cast. It’s fast-paced, smart, sexy, funny, emotional and wrought with drama.  I’m thankful that Shonda Rhimes took the chance on pushing this project forward. Not only has she created a new realm of goals for young actresses of color, she’s provided excellently developed, multi-dimensional characters. I hope that this opens the flood gates for  more possibilities.

Most importantly, I encourage you all to check out the premiere on Thursday, April 5th. But be careful, you may get hooked.

~  Thankful

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Love is a beautiful thing, but I have to be honest, I’ve never been big on Valentine’s Day. Mainly, I’ve seen that while V-day encourages some people to make their affection known,  others are slightly affected by a holiday that makes them realize (or think) that they are alone. It’s almost as if for an instant, they forget about one of their most fundamental relationships – with themselves. And that’s a dangerous thing to do whether you have a partner or not.

What’s important to remember is that you don’t need a day to show someone you love them and that no matter what, you’re never alone – you always have yourself. Whether you’re in a relationship or not,  please read my article, “Love Yourself on V-day,” on Made Woman’s Mag.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I’m off to have chocolate for breakfast…

~Thankful

It Would Have Been Easier if Rome Were Built in a Day

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I’ve heard since childhood that “patience is a virtue,” and that all things, such as big events, death, good news and bad, come in threes. Well, I’ve spoken to two people this week who brought up their lack of patience. And, I guess I would make it a fortuitous three. It’s great and quite common to have a series of long-term goals. If you have ambitious career plans, are intent on getting married, having children, buying a house or running a marathon, there are several steps you must take along the road to your ultimate goal. This can become exhausting. In working hard towards each goal it’s easy to want to just get there already. But in recent days when I’ve found myself ready to finally accomplish something, I just remember that everything has value. Each and every step you or I take is a valuable learning experience and a little piece of the finished pie. I take pride in the finishing of every detail be it big or small. So, even if the only thing you did today was skip a milkshake in preparation for that marathon, congratulate yourself for having big plans and taking a positive step in following through.

Patience and fortitude conquer all things.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy  Friday everyone!

~Thankful

 

Artist Spotlight: Matthew Conrad, Paul Watson and The Soccermen

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Good morning all! Hopefully you Patriots fans have recovered from Ahmad Bradshaw’s touchdown.

Now for the important stuff– Artist, friend and fellow USC Alum Matt Conrad, has just finished production on his first documentary film, The Soccermen. Matt joined forces with his friend, journalist Paul Watson, to document their experience coaching the world’s worst National Soccer Team.  Their journey brought them to Pohnpei where, after months of working with novice footballers and with no funding, they eventually lead Pohnpei’s National Soccer Team to their first ever win.

In addition to this film, Paul has written a book, Up Pohnpei, detailing their endeavors. Up Pohnpei will be released this week and has already received great reviews from ESPN and the Financial Times.

With production in the can, Matt and Paul have launched a Kickstarter campaign in the effort to finish post-production. For those of you unfamiliar with Kickstarter, it is a source of crowd funding. Independent professionals across every field upload information in the hopes of starting or completing a passion project. Matt and Paul need to raise $35,000 in the next 52 days. Kickstarter is all or nothing, so if these men don’t raise the full amount they won’t receive a dime.

At its heart, The Soccermen illustrates how two mens’ passions were able to change the outlook of a nation. If you have any inclination to help these independent filmmakers, please visit their Kickstarter, The Soccermen Kickstarter and donate or, at the very least, spread the word. It takes a village people!

Thank you Matt and Paul for having the courage to pursue a project on your own and for providing a little inspiration for this Monday!

Happy Monday Y’all!

~Thankful

Soccermen Website

BBC Article 

The Countdown to Cupid

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Seriously, 2012 shot out of the blocks. Today is February 3rd which means that there are 11 days left until Valentine’s Day! Don’t worry if Cupid is nowhere in sight, you always have yourself. In the spirit of all things “Valentinsey,” Made Woman Magazine is having a 30 Days of Made Love Yourself issue. Because it’s important to remember, that as nice as it is to give and receive love from a significant other, you have to give some love to yourself!

For the men out there– don’t think that my reference to Made Women Magazine excludes you from showing yourself some love this month. Participation is not gender exclusive, although you may want to indulge in a round of golf in lieu of a facial.

Happy Friday Everyone!

“You do not need to be loved, not at the cost of yourself. The single relationship that is truly central and crucial in a life is the relationship to the self… Of all the people you will know in a lifetime, you are the only one you will never lose.” – Jo Coudert

~Thankful