The Pink Media Club launched Thursday, August 7, 2014 in Bergen County, NJ. The goal for the club: a community of beauty entrepreneurs who support other visionaries in the arts and media landscape nationwide. The PINK Media Club celebrates creativity, community and, above all else, the beauty within. With "A Film Short & A Facial" theme to launch the Club in Hackensack, New Jersey I introduced the idea of having artists nationwide bring a short presentation to the beginning of Mary Kay beauty meetings. I was also so humbled to be honored that night as an "Everyday Hero." Thanks, Ladies! And thanks for joining The PINK Media Club. For a network of three million beauty consultants, this art + commerce + beauty is a perfect match for the independent scene all around. We're a movement. To set up a PINK Media Club evening in your area to boost your independent beauty business (and if you're an artist, info on presenting in front of such a committed group of entrepreneurs), stay tuned. We are developing a handbook, referral guide and calendar of events. This is an exciting time. It's all about building a supportive family around the modern literature in films, books, visual and audio media that we are all compelled to create. Join the PINK Media Club here. Let's do this!
What I Learned from a Sister Filmmaker
Courage. Filmmaker Alison Duke was introduced to me by colleague Renee T. Robinson as a subject for my Black Dox series of articles for the Toronto-based publication ByBlacks.com. Thanks to Alison's persistence accompanied with warmth, talent combined with gut instinct, and overall concern for humankind we have an inside view of how rulings from the Canadian courts escalate the stigmatization of women afflicted with HIV. My article on Alison's incredible work--of which she continues to receive commissions--may be seen here. You will also see within the article a link to her latest film on the topic. It may be screened in its entirety. Thank you, Alison Duke, for your exceptional dedication to storytelling. And thank you ByBlacks.com for having me on board to report on the work of my talented neighbors to the North.
A Referral, a Sponsor and a PayDay--All are welcome!
We have An EPIPHANY Village on our website (click here) and it takes a village to build it! Are you enjoying our posts and our media? Do you find yourself bringing our filmed subjects up in conversation? Would you like to get paid for talking us up so much that a business or angel becomes a tax-deductible donor? Refer us and reap the rewards. Here's how:
*Refer a business or individual to our website and when they become donors you receive a commission
*We have all of the information you need to lock in that sponsor by sending them to the link provided here
*Donors must secure payment and supply your full name and email address for you to receive commission (the name and email of the reference must not be the proprietor nor the individual donor--no double dipping please)
*Donors may hail from any and all industries (with discretion when it comes to those who engage in questionable activities, of course). Let's keep it clean. :)
*Commission is based on the payment schedule of the donor (monthly vs. annual). Commission payouts will occur by the 15th of the month following the donation.
*We have the utmost gratitude for our references. Stay tuned for special incentives for those who refer 10 or more!
Thank you for helping us grow and bringing our films and digital media to communities everywhere!
Populating the EPIPHANY Village
I'm thrilled to announce our new page on this site, An EPIPHANY Village. By clicking on the enticing "For You" title on our menu, you will find a growing business community for networking, support and wide exposure. These are our sponsors, and they're wonderful. We have clothing and lifestyle resources for infants and youth, broadcasters, podcasters, media consultants, alternative health suppliers, business and acting coaches, choreographers, photographers, culture curators, a brewing company and more! We would love to include the local dry cleaner and car dealer once in awhile too! All are in support of the media products and web programming we produce. Sponsorships are possible through an affordable tax-deductible donation. More information may be found by clicking here. The demographics and number of visitors who visit our site and associated web profiles are documented and made public. You may see these at any time by by clicking here. Welcome to our Village. Please join us as we look forward to meeting new neighbors and publicizing your ventures!
Photography by Peter Z Jones, www.PeterZJones.com.
PRESS RELEASE - Women's Financial Liberation coming to #EConvo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Success coach and prominent
New Jersey Executive Sales Director Juanita Gaddy
teams up with An EPIPHANY Conversation
for a series of free classes
designed to liberate women financially
Nicole Franklin’s online educational dialogue An EPIPHANY Conversation (#EConvo) offers simple solutions toward financial independence with the author of “Under-earning is a Curse. Let’s Break It.”
Teaneck, NJ, August 4, 2014 - Women everywhere may now join those who have adopted the key principles “God first, family second and career third” of a growing beauty company with success stories across the globe. One of the company’s top tier directors Juanita Gaddy has parlayed her individual success story into inspirational lectures geared toward liberating women financially and ultimately uniting communities in peace. Now, film and digital media company EPIPHANY Inc. invites Gaddy to share her message through an accessible online training program. “An EPIPHANY Conversation: Women’s Financial Liberation” launches bi-monthly online sessions to empower women and men through 10-minute web interviews. Click here for a preview episode.
Gaddy’s story begins with her leaving a secure corporate job in order to make money independently. She has been so successful she authored and volunteers her “Under-earning is a Curse. Let’s Break It” seminars to communities in need. And she constantly receives invitations to return—for pay.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2012, the family poverty rate and the number of families in poverty were 11.8 percent or 9.5 million. Almost 31 percent of families with a female householder lived in poverty. Poverty represents an annual income of $23,492 in 2012 and it was noted that 16.3 percent of females lived at this income level. The Bureau notes that significant changes are not apparent between 2012 and the numbers from the previous year.
With Gaddy, An EPIPHANY Conversation plans to reach hundreds of women monthly who are ready to dramatically improve their livelihood. Outreach at no cost to attendees includes both web and in-person sessions.
An encounter with Gaddy’s engaging style and positive message of building wealth for women through “Under-earning is a Curse. Let’s Break It” prompted Franklin to suggest the launch of free online web sessions for a global reach. Nicole Franklin is the president and senior producer of EPIPHANY Inc. and the fiscally sponsored An EPIPHANY Conversation, the in-person and interactive dialogues with accompanying media balancing the equation for marginalized communities. “I approached Juanita Gaddy when I overheard—possibly eavesdropped, if I must admit—her conducting her sales business on a phone call. I have always been impressed how women in her position were successful and happy. A quick conversation informed me of her willingness to not just sell a quality product and business opportunity but change women’s lives on a grand scale. Gaddy has designed a success plan to adopt for any entrepreneurial effort of which women could relate. I knew her enthusiasm would be appropriate to change women’s lives via the web. It fit perfectly with our #EConvo series of inspirational stories.”
In addition to the online sessions, An EPIPHANY Conversation, will team up with women’s support organizations to reach out to their population with in-person training sessions and small group counseling featuring Gaddy and her inspirational life plan, applicable to any industry.
Gaddy, occasionally seen bouncing from event to meeting to party to prayer service, is eager to enter into the web space: “You would be surprised how many women are being mistreated, or mistreating themselves, and don’t know it. Always the question should be who are you at your best? And I love helping women who are stuck. They make great leaders. There are steps to success.”
Online web sessions may be viewed live on YouTube and begin Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 8:30pmEST. For more information about free online sessions or in-person seminars, subscribe to www.YouTube.com/NicoleFilms and e-mail Nicoleedits@gmail.com.
About Juanita Gaddy
Juanita Gaddy started her direct sales career on August 27, 1992 and has earned the use of 10 free cars. She currently has four first-line directors and four second-line directors which earn her the title Future Executive Senior Sales Director. She has won various awards such a queen court of recruiting where she recruited eight women in one day. She works part-time as a life coach at a high school encouraging young adults on how to excel in life. She is happily married with two adult children and five grands. Her belief is that if you do the possible God will do the impossible.
About An EPIPHANY Conversation
An EPIPHANY Conversation (#EConvo) is the community dialogue that follows the media presentations of EPIPHANY Inc. The forum invites a global discussion among the inspiring people behind incredible stories. Fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, An EPIPHANY Conversation is the natural educational extension of films and digital media produced by EPIPHANY Inc., founded by Nicole Franklin, an award-winning filmmaker, television director, stage manager, editor, educator, public speaker, web event host and contributing writer to The Good Men Project and Toronto-based publication ByBlacks.com. EPIPHANY Inc. independent films have been distributed on numerous cable networks including Showtime, BET, IFC, Nickelodeon, Sundance Channel and The Documentary Channel. Credits include The Double Dutch Divas!, Journeys In Black: the Jamie Foxx Biography, Kids Around the World, Gershwin & Bess: A Dialogue with Anne Brown and the 10-chapter series Little Brother, the latter two titles distributed by Third World Newsreel. Little Brother is a recipient of the Foundation to Promote Open Society/Campaign for Black Male Achievement Award, fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas. More information may be found at NicoleFranklin.com.
Our Conversation about Money
One of the most exciting circumstances happening right now with EPIPHANY Inc. is the building of our EPIPHANY Village on our web platforms. You can read more about that here. One of our sponsors is the direct sales unit under uber entrepreneur and motivator Juanita Gaddy. When I met Juanita and found out that she started volunteering her time lecturing about how to attract wealth and a strong family (with faith first on the list), I knew she would be perfect for our #EConvo audience. So I have now launched a series of 10-minute web events where she can impart her knowledge to the masses. And our events our free! Our series is called "An EPIPHANY Conversation: Women's Financial Liberation." The subtitle: "Under-earning is a curse. Let's break it." Juanita and I will also be appearing in person as well. Stay tuned by joining our Event Page by clicking on this link. See you the web! And no more complaining about not being able to afford your dream!
Hiring EPIPHANY Inc. PT Development Officer
Potential sponsors of EPIPHANY Inc. media and An EPIPHANY Conversation (#EConvo) events love to visit our website at www.AnEPIPHANYConversation.com. We are in search of a part-time development officer to help us seal the deal. Candidates are welcome from all parts of the globe. We are the perfect telecommute! Our films and educational products have numerous audiences all over the globe celebrating the achievements of communities often ignored. We are proud to be an independent production company with a 15-year history. With 10,000 views per week on Google+, we know it’s time to expand our team. The PT Development Officer will work directly with Executive Producer Nicole Franklin and the EPIPHANY Inc. Board of Director’s Development Committee. Send a quick e-mail of interest, contact info and short bio to Nicoleedits@gmail.com with “PT Development Officer” in the Subject Line. Compensation and short-list of responsibilities will then be discussed. Production company experience not required. We welcome diverse industries! Talk soon!
The Black Dox Debut!
Published today is the inaugural article of "Black Dox with Nicole Franklin" where I am able to sing the praises of my fellow documentarians. Putting in print the nonfiction stories of the African Diaspora has been a long-awaited dream of mine. And now I hope everyone joins me in learning about these filmmaking champions of such important history. This debut comes with a fun twist! The online publication, ByBlacks.com, solely covers African Canadian events, personalities and news. I was thrilled to introduce audiences to the work of Nova Scotia-born filmmaker Sylvia D. Hamilton who is a good friend. And I am looking forward to expanding my circle beyond the East Coast and meeting more of my talented neighbors to the North. Filmmakers with strong Canadian production and distribution involvement will be covered as well. Thank you, Canada, and a special thank you to ByBlacks.com for accepting this semi-Southern girl into your fold. Let's spread the good news: Our history, our stories.
Little Brother documents our positive mental health
This week we are thrilled to have our documentary film series Little Brother screen for a fourth time with the Association of Black Psychologists. Their national convention is being hosted in Indianapolis, IN. Our fourth chapter of the series, Little Brother: The Fire Next Time (filmed in Muskogee, OK) is a featured presentation. This is a very special endorsement for our film team since our series stresses the focus on the emotional health of African American young men. Before branding a number of boys of middle school age as a "problem" or "bound for the system," has anyone thought to consider the influences and contributions to their mental and emotional health? We have. And if you have not seen our series, we invite you to visit our website at www.LittleBrotherFilm.com and purchase one or all of our chapters we have discounted with our distributor Third World Newsreel. LIttle Brother is a conversation that will save a generation. Join us!
Intern Needed
We here at EPIPHANY Inc. are seeking an Intern to assist in the many areas of research (editorial, technical and social media), production support for EPIPHANY Inc. media, and securing and promoting guests as well as affiliate partners for An EPIPHANY Conversation. Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop would be helpful. Internship is non-paid, although a commission will be available per successful contracts secured by the intern with affiliate partners. This internship will involve a 5-hour per week commitment for six months beginning September 1. Hours may be modified during production. Intern is able to work remotely as well. Contact Nicole Franklin at Nicoleedits@gmail.com. Thanks! Looking forward to meeting our next generation of media creatives!
A Subtlety Statement
Here in the New York City area we are coming off a holiday weekend with a closing of a larger-than-life, yet most controversial, public art project by Kara Walker. The project is titled "A Subtlety or the Marvelous Sugar Baby an homage to the unpaid and overworked Artisans who have refined our Sweet tastes from the cane fields to the Kitchens of the New World on the Occasion of the demolition of the Domino Sugar Refining Plant." Many have also labeled it, "The Mammy Sphinx." My mother and I took a curious walk through the exhibit and came upon a young woman absorbing the power of Walker's work in quite a unique way. I recorded some of her thoughts.
A Crisis surrounding the natural state of Giving Birth
I loved speaking to the mothers, midwives and activists during yesterday's #EConvo, An EPIPHANY Conversation: Why Giving Birth should not mean Life or Death. Barbara Gremaud, Rhonda Haynes, Lorna Owens and, from the UK, Kirstin Hancock were incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated to healthy initiatives on the maternity front. We all can do our part in helping women globally by donating clean birthing kits to women in the Congo and around Africa through Owens' Footprints Foundation. Owens mentioned that the cost of these kits are as little as $7! Please watch and share our replay of our Google Hangout/YouTube link:
Father's Day Part 1
A special Father’s Day shoutout to Remicko George, a young, dedicated father who was introduced to us by the staunch and civilly engaged Dovetail Project. The organization was founded by the incredibly dedicated Sheldon Smith whose team scours the sidewalks and El trains of Chicago, IL for young men who may identify as fathers who need support and structure while handling their most precious responsibility. This past April 28, 2014, we were honored to feature these two men as part of an all-star panel on An EPIPHANY Conversation (#EConvo): Fathers Speak Out on My Brother’s Keeper (Part 1) . Mr. George’s story brought this host and some stellar panelists including Kenneth Braswell of Fathers Incorporated, Dr. Raymond Winbush, filmmaker Mya B., Toronto podcaster Dr. Vibe and Friends of the Children of New York’s program director Kareem Wright to a moment where we had to pause and acknowledge respect to one of many men whom statistics keep in the dark. Click here for a Replay:
Hashing It Out
#GMP #GMPChat #EConvo #ThisWay2Tech
It has been an exciting past few days with having my latest article, “Why Lynching Still Resonates When Black Men Keep Certain Company,” published by The Good Men Project and a very informative and lively web event, “An EPIPHANY Conversation: How Blacks in Tech are key to sustaining the My Brother’s Keeper Movement,” stream as part of our Monday night #EConvo series on Google Hangout. Hashtags, Tagging Photos and Monitoring what’s Trending are now my favorite impulses. #ThrilledToBeWriting #InspiredByInterviewing. The lynching piece is the second of three planned articles on forgiveness and race. These are tough to write as I personally grapple with how the history of U.S. race relations still affects my generation’s civil liberties—for all ethnicities. There was much shame and secrecy years ago that kept many populations uneducated when it came to progress and survival. A code of silence that empowered the oppressive few. I still witness people of color falling into a submissive responsiveness vs. aggressive pursuit of their dreams. And if even a small percentage of talented individuals occupy this space, it disturbs me.
There is still much work to do as we usher in future generations to an existence that is fair for all. For me, jumping in with both feet into technology is going to level the playing field for many. As the co-founder of the web channel Midnight Media Capture and moderating the #EConvo Google+ Community Page and Hangouts, I take my role in opening the tech space to others very seriously. Our panelists in this recent webcast on Blacks in Technology all noted how we have to prepare our young people for an industry that will quickly leave them behind, especially in the economic sense. One of the ways we can ensure their inclusion is to place ourselves as tech professionals in front of them as mentors and provide them with a clear path to the resources available for success.
To all reading this post, please help us spread the word. Share our good news. Upload information and include the hashtag #ThisWay2Tech in your posts. The commitment from me and my team is here and it is now. Let’ move forward, and embrace a new code of communication and succeed.
#NecessaryDialogue #KeysToMovingForward #PathwaysToSuccess #NotToBeMissed
Family Reunion
This past Memorial Day weekend was the latest of our decades-long tradition of annual family reunions on my Mother’s side. We danced, we ate, we worshipped and caught up a bit as well.  And though I have no claims to be related to her, I realize that the aura surrounding Dr. Maya Angelou’s transition last week also brought about those same feelings on social media. Sharing a post here and there containing a quote or some semblance of her being was something millions—globally—felt the urge to do. Her storied life and storytelling skills connected us.  The fact that she traveled so extensively and listened to her fans up close (me included) beguiled us. I am sure we all know family who extend beyond our bloodlines.  Family = Familiar.  And that comforts me.   
When The Hustle Got Serious: Filmmaker Nicole Franklin shares stories on success, losing her apartment and meeting Jamie Foxx
Yes, I met Jamie Foxx.  He’s an easy-going guy, so I am sure many people have had the pleasure. But what’s cool about it is how his lengthy career means so much to so many people—especially at the high school where I’ll be speaking next week. "When The Hustle Got Serious: Filmmaker Nicole Franklin shares stories on success, losing her apartment and meeting Jamie Foxx” is the title of my career day speech that I’m excited to share with the young performing arts students in my hometown of St. Louis, MO.  I enjoy sharing with young people everywhere some lessons on life, ups and downs and the behind-the-scenes mayhem behind my more than 20-years “in the biz.” I have been very blessed to learn so much about turning my ambition into a reality and identifying the resources and people who are crucial to helping you succeed. Also as a landlady who had to move out my own living space within 72 hours, I have a few pointers on how to avoid real estate nightmares but stay on track for wealth-building goals. I have been known to advise others—especially artists with entrepreneurial talents—to purchase property before the age of 30.  One clue:  it’s not all about the granite countertops. Most of all throughout my journey I think what I have truly learned is that defining success early should be of the upmost importance. It probably took a full decade of my life, during the time when I was young and hungry for experience in my 20s, to realize success is not measured by monetary standards.  Social currency is what counts. Making a difference with the gifts one is given actually keeps the world in motion.  That’s what counts. And then when you do figure out that you’re ready to pass the baton, you know that you have achieved what you were put here to do.  There are dreams that now need my support. There is an epiphany I had not expected.  The dreams of future generations are what my dream has been about all along.  
#BringBackOurGirls Week 3
Action begins now.  Tonight was the first time I was involved in hosting a Twitter Chat.  We had less than 48 hours to plan. I too am experiencing the outrage and frustration as the world watches a seemingly non-existent kidnapping rescue effort almost a month in the making in the northern area of Nigeria continue to fail.  My social media soldier in sisterhood, Marie Roker-Jones of @RaisingGreatMen, found an incredibly informative guest, Nigerian activist Ijeoma Ogwuegbu-Uduma @IjeomaOgud with whom to start a dialogue.  We learned so much and discovered the many areas where Nigerians feel their hands are tied.  We may have spent tonight uncovering information and we made a large social media imprint with our #BringBackOurGirls #SaveOurFuture communities. It's not a rescue. But I just know I have to do...something.  Anything….while these children’s lives are in turmoil. Although slow to gain recognition, the tragic circumstance of these young girls, who were at once filled with hope and innocence, has now gripped the global community. Kidnapping almost 300 schoolgirls in mid-April after killing 29 schoolboys a couple of months before does not give terrorists power. These crimes weaken nations and enrage the world. This is not a fight easily won on either side. On top of it, one by one the terrorists are potentially killing every soul they torture.  And for this, I am heartbroken.  It is only primarily through education—a basic human right these terrorists fear—that both child victims and the child soldiers who terrorize them will have a chance at peace.   
Here is our initial report from our Twitter Chat. We had over 530,000 imprints with more than 77,000 reach. This will grow as we double hashtag the Nigeria situation as both#SaveOurFuture #BringBackOurGirls (#SaveOurFuture distinguishes our conversation from the other #BringBackOurGirls social media activists). Drums keep drummin'!!! Let's do this!
Brooklyn Takes The Cake
The 61-year-old organization, the Brooklyn Links, welcomed Little Brother once again to screen in their annual festival today. I find this chapter of the Links consistent with their commitment to excellence in the arts, and with celebrating and nurturing Black female filmmakers as they do every year through their Women of African Descent Film Festival. This is their 13th year of the one-day festival. I made my debut with the festival over a decade ago with my first film, The Double Dutch Divas! Today we screened Little Brother: The Fire Next Time (Chapter 4). Other shorts within a two-hour period included Christine List & Shahari Moore’s Swimmin’ Lesson (we have screened with this beautifully poetic film before), Rocky Collins’ Fifteen Minutes (a true delight), and Lisa Kirazian’s Reflection Day starring and executive produced by veteran talent Edythe Davis (powerful piece with tearful moments). I will never forget receiving the highest honor during one of their previous festivals when screening the first chapter of what was then a new series, Little Brother, in 2011. One of the Links walked up to me and said, “I knew the same woman who filmed The Double Dutch Divas! did this film too.” I consider both the double Dutch and Little Brother film productions keen examples of the light and joy we project from our culture. It is beyond any award to have your signature as an artist recognized. And look! We received an award today as well! Thank you, Ladies. Your audience is always filled, and always warm. Brava!
Talented actor Arthur French sits front and center in our LIttle Brother: The Fire Next Time audience at WADFF.
Veteran actress and now Executive Producer Edythe Davis screened Reflection Day after ours at WADFF. What an honor.
The Brooklyn Links are a classy group of women. Professional, stylish and top patrons of the arts. Brava!
Long Weekends
It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me that I work a lot. I enjoy my work, actually. I enjoy creating and storytelling. I really enjoy networking. When do I have time to do it all? That’s a tricky question. But what has been interesting to identify—and artists have known this for years—is that we mainly clock work hours on the weekend, and a social encounter, evening out or a party ‘til dawn usually happens for us on a Monday (historically Broadway’s dark that night), Tuesday or Wednesday. Full-time (and starving) artists may even enjoy the “luxury” of having their daytime hours off on those aforementioned weekdays as well.
But what I am really enjoying are my long weekends. Yes, I work on the weekends. Yet my work involves my day gig as well as the screening and exhibiting of my media productions by invitation. For me, that is an honor for which I have worked my entire career. But my connection to benevolent audiences does not usually end on Sunday nights. I am happy that Monday nights are now a regular event with our #EConvo webcasts on Google Hangout/YouTube. Thus, Monday nights have become a natural extension of my work weekend. You may see our catalogue of previous #EConvo topics here. With EPIPHANY Inc. covering both the in-person and online space, the next two images will give you a sample of the broad spectrum our weekend covers. For instance, on Saturday I’m honored to screen with the Women of African Descent Film Festival one more year. Sunday I work on an award-winning morning news program for which many have always loved. And this Monday I am thrilled to take a laugh break with humorist Annabelle Gurwitch who will discuss her new memoir about turning 50 as our #EConvo guest. Why waste a long weekend on a beach or resort somewhere far away? For relaxation you may say? Nah….
My Kind of Town
My love for New York City could only be illustrated by what kept me going during a 19-hour day that began at 3am. I work in morning news television in New York so I was already booked for a 4am shift, but for some reason every cultural event in the world was scheduled for April 26. I am inspired by every encounter in this city of frenzied talent, wealth, grit and despair. Museum forums, theatre productions, dance class, film festivals, and the best people-watching on the planet…all had to take a backseat to events with which I already had a personal connection. Running into friends at the annual TFI Interactive Digital Conference, and subsequently experiencing with a friend the interactive and immersive documentary forums exhibited in StoryScapes at the TriBeCa Film Festival, celebrating a friend’s premiere of her film On My Own in Harlem which surprised me tremendously when I found friends in attendance who I had yet to meet in person since I’d only spent time with them on the web, and wrapping the day at the hard-to-get-reservations-for Ginny’s Supper Club to meet up with friends from Norway and share a night of swinging music and mouth-watering food (I splurged and had the chicken & waffles with a side of collards, truffles for desert). What was the best part from a day of social interactive documentary, advocacy for preservation of the black family, and jazz/blues singer Brianna Thomas accompanied by a jammin’ quartet who raised the roof of our subterranean sweet spot? I have a bond here with my peeps. They give me life. And life supports my art. And art keeps me connected to what God creates. That’s when it comes full circle. I can’t wait until tomorrow.
"Programming is a Superpower." Storyscapes presents "Clouds," and interactive media event at TriBeCa Film Fest.