On Episode 40 of Rich Lessons, Sevetri Wilson Taylor (Instagram.com/sevetriwilson) and Sheena Allen(Instagram.com/whoisSheena) sit down with Takema Robinson, executive producer of Netflix’s top-streaming documentary The Perfect Neighbor, to talk about justice, storytelling, and the movement behind one of the most powerful films of the year.

Takema, an activist, producer, and founder of Standing in the Gap Fund, shares how a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request turned into a #1 Netflix film and a catalyst for change in the wake of AJ Owens’ killing. She opens up about transforming hours of police body-cam footage into a gripping, artful story that sparked national conversations on race, justice, and “Stand Your Ground” laws.

From advocacy to art, Takema breaks down the emotional journey of turning grief into purpose, the importance of storytelling as a tool for healing, and the power of keeping a promise—ensuring the world will always know AJ Owens’ name.

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Show Notes:

(00:00) Intro — Meet Takema Robinson, executive producer of The Perfect Neighbor

(02:30) Movement in Her DNA — Growing up in New Haven’s Black Power era

(04:15) From Howard to Healing — Studying art, politics, and culture as tools for justice

(06:10) The First Film — How advocacy led her to documentary storytelling

(07:18) FOIA to Film — Using public records to uncover AJ Owens’ story

(11:18) The Perfect Neighbor — Inside the footage, the verdict, and the emotional response

(14:30) Mobilizing for Justice — The call at dawn and activating national support

(22:16) The Power of Truth — Staying inside body-cam footage and trusting the audience

(25:06) Beyond “Trauma Porn” — Why this film is activism, not exploitation

(33:33) The Children — Healing, therapy, and the legacy AJ left behind

(41:01) The Aftermath — #1 on Netflix, a national impact tour, and Standing in the Gap Fund

(45:13) Rich Lesson — Purpose is the bridge between pain and power

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Rich Lessons Podcast // hosted by Sevetri Wilson Taylor and Sheena Allen

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