It's the eve of the first anniversary of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by Ofcr. Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MO. The nation is talking about it. Different angles of the story are being covered for the 24-hour news cycle. But has the root of what has happened in this arrest been addressed or resolved? Today we learned of another unarmed Black teen fatally shot by a police officer in a Dallas suburb. Unfortunately if we wait a little longer, another "incident" will have a similar headline. Our Fear needs to be discussed. And we can discuss it by clicking here. Please share our anonymous quiz: What do you Fear about Black Men? You'll read my answer by clicking here as well. What's yours?
Calling All Editors: Seasoned and Junior Editors
Taking inventory for a new venture this Fall. Editors needed. I'll supervise (I can be vigilant, but also quite helpful!). Seasoned editors, please send your bio, editing software available and a link to your reel in an email to Nicoleedits@gmail.com with "Editor" in the Subject line. We are not limited to a geographic location. Junior Editors are also encouraged to apply. Please send your bio, editing software available and a link to recent work in an email to Nicoleedits@gmail.com with "Junior Editor" in the Subject line. Qualifications for Junior Editor are recent graduates or experience of fewer than two years. Thanks fellow post people!
Editing: A throwback.
Salesperson Needed
#Hiring Salesperson needed for booking advertising clients. Unique sales pitch involved that makes our campaigns beneficial--and quite affordable--for all. Contact Nicole Franklin at Nicoleedits@gmail.com for more info. If you're already working in a media sales department, even better. We'll bring business to your company as well. If you want to refer a friend who works in ad sales, we'd love to hear who this productive person is too! Let's talk! $$$ #Sales #Salesperson #SalesTeam #AdSales
Passing the Baton...
She needed no help from me. A young print reporter in Charleston, SC by the name of Christina Elmore answered the request of my producer and me to interview her about her experience covering crime—and a specific crime—for her hometown paper. Who we met in Christina was a poised and dedicated young professional who does not shy away from her pursuit of the story. And she’s barely out of her 20’s! Is there hope for our future in journalism—specifically Black journalists whose presence alone is sure to make a difference in our U.S. newsrooms? I always want to believe so. Our small documentary crew agreed we struck gold when Ms. Elmore answered our questions with the facts, a clear and focused examination of her beloved Charleston and a heartfelt testimony of the job she wears as a badge of honor quite proudly. We hope The Post and Courier is honored to have her on staff as well. Glad we met.
An Emmy, An Honor
Honored to be honored again with the incredible team of CBS Sunday Morning. Terrific crew and the best fans! Thank you!
Question of the Day from a Friend...
#Question of the day from a friend: How are you able to sit across from a racist and ask questions for the camera?
Just returned from an interesting trip where a producer friend wants to explore a new documentary on race. Now that we're back home to friends and family, many questions were actually asked of us as well! I #answer the above question on my wall at www.TSU.co/Nicoleedits. Please click here for access. And please leave your questions here as well! You gotta do what you gotta do!
Somewhere in S. Carolina...
Nicole's Diary - Page 18
Exhausting and exhilarating. Can every production wrap like this? I hope so. This past weekend's Hack4Hope launch in my hometown of St. Louis, MO was pretty darn fantastic. It's an exceptional claim to fame when a producer (who can be pretty anal at times...hahah) can have backup from a team of professionals who stayed on top of their game and our young people are the beneficiaries. When adults can smile about how much the teens they mentored smiled, we can take a moment to say "Great work!" and "Who's next?" Hack4Hope and an upcoming endeavor on a new doc back on the East Coast in five days are what keep me going--and nice flashes of downtime with our new pal, Lou Fitness. Onto the next adventure!
One Long Summer: Will We Shoot Back?
Injustice leads to action. Proactivity leads to change. I contemplated what summer 2015 would look when racism dealt us a bad hand and Charleston mourned. Here is my conversation with three brilliant and eloquent individuals who inspired a Malcolm vs. Martin theme I felt compelled to write. Please click here and see how The Good Men Project is the perfect forum for a level-headed discussion on #WeWillShootBack.
Hack4Hope: There is Hope
One week left until the launch of Hack4Hope in my hometown of St. Louis. My team and I are very excited and I hope you share our news with friends. Visit us at www.Hack4Hope.org.
We've been meeting wonderful student applicants through our application process: An essay on "Life in St. Louis and what you would change." Here's another special entry.
"The one thing or things I would change in Saint Louis is the amount of young black men that are on the streets sagging their pants, smoking drugs, and most important is stop killing each other. These men are protesting over police brutality, but what is the point if you’re going to kill your black brother by God....If this was changed it could help the unemployment rate go down. Once this has changed our protest (peaceful) will finally sink into the prosecutors and justice would be heard. This will be in the history books. It will be read as the civil rights act over after a 200 year movement we have really overcome. Kids my age typically participate in video games, and sports teams. I know my generation has also done bad things such as smoking and fighting. You only get one shot this is my one shot. I will be very gracious if you accept me. Thank you."
Top 5 Reasons Why I'm TSUing
Three weeks ago I joined a relatively new social media platform called TSU. With my four websites to manage, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram trust me, I did not need another place to leave my social media imprint. My good friend told me she was invited to use it “and when you’re on it, it pays.” I investigated further—especially after hearing a second source proclaim, “I’m on TSU. Have you heard of it?” Oh yeah.
While on TSU for this short amount of time I’ve seen my bank earnings grow and met some really cool fellow information hounds (like me!) from around the globe. My first impression of the platform was a good one, boosted by the fact that I came on during a charity tournament to raise funds through penny donations to some of the many verified nonprofits on the platform as well. Earning, donating and sharing? This is me.
I tiptoed around a few friends who I knew were risk takers and asked them to join me on this journey (that’s called your Family Tree when those you refer come in on your invitation). Building your network is essential in raising your income. And from where does this income appear? Ads, of course. We are seeing ads in our social media lives everywhere else and we do not get partake in the profits. TSU launched with a different game plan. Ninety percent of its ad revenues go to the users, and only 10% stays with TSU. Another good friend who is a social media strategist asked me, “What do you love most about it?”
I named three things, but now that I think about it there’s more:
1) Charity. There seems to be a large community willing to host charitable drives, encouraging TSU users to spread the wealth to those in need. A penny can always be spared. We actually may change lives.
2) Community. So far decent people are following me and maybe that’s a result of the invitation-only platform.
3) The potential for making money is quite seductive, yes. Once on the platform it’s pretty easy to see how celebrities with 500,000 or more followers are raking in significant earnings in their their sleep. I'm averaging $.06 per day at the moment. I hear $1 - $5 per day is where most active users tend to hover. Push us forward, we may be unstoppable.
4) Finding genuine connections. I know everything on the Internet isn’t real, but I’ve already had some pretty valuable conversations with people with similar interests, and I’ve connected to global communities who are charitable at the core. Not a bad crew to call your own.
5) Gratitude. Checking in always makes me happy. Is it the lure of money? Maybe. It was easy to figure out the ads are targeted to my tastes. And I’ve clicked through to do some window shopping. And who doesn’t love window shopping?
Posting to Facebook and Twitter can be done simultaneously through TSU, made easy by the click of a button. Friends on these platforms won’t miss you. They will be missing the opportunity, though. And that is never easy to witness.
My invitation to you is here at this link: www.TSU.co/Nicoleedits. That’s .co without the “m.” I’ll do my best to keep inviting you to our TSU party. But, I have never been a fan of begging. I may keep my dignity with light courting.
#RSChat #Charleston9
As filmmakers of color—independent filmmakers working tirelessly outside a Hollywood system that has yet to recognize the value of multicultural voices as a profitable business model—we work and continue to work to have our stories told by our own hand. As Black women filmmakers we celebrate the vehicle that allows our unfiltered testimonies to the lives we live and the joys, trials and accomplishments of those we cherish around us. For more than two decades, African Voices Communications Inc. has provided access to a significant amount of literature from the African Diaspora—specifically film under their annual Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series. So many of my films have been celebrated by the sisters and brothers in my Reel Sisters family. I am thrilled to now serve on their advisory board as we continue this journey together. And as a film family we are often called to correct history especially when it comes to media representations of the Black community. With the recent murders of the #Charleston9 we at Reel Sisters knew it was time to lead a dialogue on the institutional racism that results from misrepresentations used to justify heinous acts. Together, we have the power to confront the real issues that have come to light. Filmmakers Stacey Muhammad (For Colored Boys), Mya B. (Afraid of Dark) join me (Little Brother) in confronting the racism that separates communities, unjustly and tragically. Please join us this Friday, 2pmEST for a Twitter Chat, Reel Talk: Charleston (Hashtags: #RSChat #Charleston9). It is time for an open dialogue as we begin to heal.
Nicole's Diary - Page 17
It’s the kind of night where you get to lick the spoon. And I’m glad I did! I hear Nutella’s bad for the trees (sorry Nutella), so I picked up some equivalent hazelnut cocoa spread from the market that’s just as sinful. And, tonight, I allowed myself to indulge. If we’re going to live life to the fullest, then we have to enjoy the breaks. It’s been a long week. In fact, a week ago tomorrow lives in Charleston were changed in such a horrific fashion, it caused the world to pause. So many worlds just stopped. The Confederate Flag wavers had to pause, so many welcoming Church communities had to pause, anyone with a soul had to stop and think for just one moment what were we missing? Several have reached out to me for my assistance in elevating the conversation as a media professional. I consider myself a warrior—armed and ready to serve at a moment’s notice. In the next few days and weeks I’ll post what I’m up to for sure. But for now, as I keep my engine running I run into moments that cause me to catch a breath. That moment was today when I called Emanuel AME in Charleston and asked for the time of Friday’s service when their Pastor will be eulogized by President Obama. The friendly woman on the other end told me. Then she asked if I was a member of the Church. I almost started crying. I told her, “No, I’m not. I’m just monitoring the situation and I am so, so, very sorry for your loss.” She thanked me and I expressed my condolences again and hung up with the information I needed. What a strong woman of faith and I still can’t understand it all. I do know that tomorrow is not promised. And when you’re faced with chocolate, take the spoon.
Nicole's Diary - Page 16
Laughter then pain. That was my past 24 hours. Laughs when we had our wonderful #EConvo Phone -In & Tweet with friend and comedic talent Hollie Harper (and such wonderful laughs from audience member Kyle Green). Hollie gave insight to her brand of humor that turns a long-standing history of racial strife on its head with stinging satire. Then just two hours after our event, news surfaced that nine Churchgoers from the historic Emanual AME in Charleston, SC lost their lives to a deranged young gunman. This heinous act was quickly deemed a hate crime. Damn. Both discussions have race at their central core. I know that for even one day in our lives--and in my lifetime--we will never escape the extreme feelings and actions the topic of race inevitably conjures up. This is an every day reality and an every day threat to everyone's freedom, not just people of color. But oh, does this hurt and humor is only one coping mechanism. Too many other hours are spent grieving. Why is this so? As I mentioned at the end to wrap up last night's #EConvo chat, Hollie's creative projects--especially as seen in her sketch comedy show American Candy--bring so many so much joy because the majority of Hollywood material we are accustomed to (and unfortunately so too goes the creations of many budding screenwriters who desire a Hollywood career) begins with one premise: Happiness is not our birthright. People of color are destined to be the symbol of distress. I would like to one day not have to live that in real life nor in the movies.
Call In and Chat with the Girls!
It's time for another EPIPHANY Phone-In and this time we're live Tweeting (@Nicoleedits, @AmericanCandyNY)! Chat with us and hear what we're up to for the next few months. We'll have Industry Talk, Girl Talk...the works. Talented Producer/Writer/Actress Hollie Harper, creator of hot comedy sketch show American Candy, is joining me on a conference call and with the two of us on the line anything goes. Oh yes...we have a new project we're working on together. Want to find out what it is? Give us a ring at 218-486-3684 (passcode 501505) and join us on Twitter as well at #EConvo for what is sure to be a fun insider's view of how projects in indie-land come together. Yep, we like to take risks, and hope you will join us for the ride! Talk to you Wednesday, June 17 at 8pmEST!
BOLD Times
After my live interview today with Freda Stukes and Gary 'Lil G' Jenkins, podcast host LeGrande Green sent the link to our conversation the other day. Click here to listen to our 20 minutes of good cop/bad cop/Black men stopped. We've been hearing about dangerous times of late. But here we give context and perspective. Thanks for the dialogue, LeGrande!
On-Air Conversations
I'm feeling so fortunate to have a number of interviews scheduled this week and next. First there's a national broadcast. I'll be on "The Afternoon Drive with Gary 'Lil G' Jenkins & Freda Stukes" LIVE on Thursday, June 11th. Tune in on 1100AM (Georgia), iHeartRadio, TuneIn, iRadioNOW.fm. And I also had an enlightening conversation talking about the state of policing and Black men with lively podcast host LeGrande Green on BOLD. Will keep everyone posted on the release date. I hope to always have a platform to dialogue about what motivates my passion to tell our story. For our Little Brother films we promise "a conversation that will save a generation." Won't you join us?
For Immediate Release: Hack4Hope
Our news on our summer launch, Hack4Hope, was released today. #Hack4Hope has even gone global as our press release was reprinted in Australia and a few other areas miles away from St. Louis where our event is taking place. We're thrilled! Read our news by clicking here:
Location: Brentwood Public Library. Photographer: Kirsten Petty
Nicole's Diary - Page 15
A FaceBook post I shared the other day garnered a lot of attention. A lot. It had to deal with that moment you reconnect with the love of your life--if only for an instant. Along with the post I wrote, "Pretty cool. If there's a person in your life who would make you react like this today then it was probably worth it." Since my post and the stream of comments I know of one person who would do me in if I were in the same situation. I'm questioning the sincerity of the other. But it's only a question, not a definition of our lot in life. Ulay, Ulay, Oh. Who is your 'person' and where did life take you in order for the connection to still remain so deep?
Nicole's Diary - Page 14
Sundays are my Fridays and this was the end to SUCH an up and down week. The downs: two--well, let's say a few--setbacks on projects in the area of funding. This is a perpetual struggle that yes, makes indie producers like me more creative but frustrated when put through the ringer for sure. The ups: witnessing the work of the talented, talented individuals who keep me going. It started with the screening of a Maya Angelou project Reflections of a Blessed Soul, which will be coming to market soon--that's if the audience present has anything to say about it. To hear such beautiful wisdom, such as "I am a human being, nothing human can be alien to me" was gold. The filmmakers received a standing ovation after the credits rolled. And it was such a simple concept. Just the way I like it: a camera, and a beautiful voice dropping pearls. Maya was with us that evening. I felt they should rename the piece The Visit. With that experience, the next night attending the debut of a live storyteller series from my colleagues at The Good Men Project (great job guys and gals--I may join you up there on stage one day--eeek!), the night after that, a strong come-to-Jesus meeting of my team that is taking one of our EPIPHANY Inc. projects into brand new territory with a vengeance, reflecting on two very important young men in my life who graduated with honors (Northwestern, here we come!) and capping off the weekend with live comedy and music from the uninhibited team from American Candy, I can face another week of putting myself out there. Why not? I'm only human and denying my passions…not an option.
Manchild in the Promised Land
Tucson, Arizona sets the scene for our latest completed Little Brother film chapter. This is Chapter 5, our halfway point through a series that has taken us on a journey that neither I, producer J. Tiggett nor film consultant and psychologist Dr. Raymond Winbush would expect: releasing film after film featuring positive images of Black males as told from their point of view. Have you joined our community of supporters? Please sign up with us by clicking here. For now, click on, watch and share our trailer for Little Brother: Manchild in the Promised Land (Chapter 5 - Tucson, AZ). Request #LittleBrotherFilm copies for your school, house of worship or community organization from our distributor Third World Newsreel and visit LittleBrotherFilm.com for info on previous chapters as well. And invite us to your screenings for a Q&A! Let's continue this "Conversation that will save a generation." Please watch and #LoveItForward.
