Life is full of transformative moments—some of them foreseen, others arriving as complete surprises. These moments can be so transformative that they shift the very foundation of who we are and how we see the world. But when we choose to embrace these moments, to show up and share our stories, we not only find healing, but we also build bridges for others to cross.

In today's episode, I sit down with director, writer, producer, author, and mentor, Princess Monique, whose journey from Cleveland to Hollywood is a true testament to her passion, perseverance, and purpose. From surviving personal trials to creating platforms for other women of color in film and television, Princess shares how she turned adversity into artistry and how she is now committed to opening doors for others.

Tune in and listen to hear Princess Monique’s inspiring journey and learn why storytelling—especially from underrepresented voices—is essential to building a more inclusive world.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The early experiences that sparked Princess Monique’s lifelong belief that the world is bigger than the environment she grew up in (6:32)
• How mentors shaped Princess Monique’s personal and professional development—and why she believes everyone should be both a mentor and a mentee (12:22)
• What made her pivot from acting to directing and how her first short film changed her life (16:27)
• Why she’s committed to increasing visibility for Black women directors and how she helped influence change from within Hollywood (26:13)
• What she’s building with Real Black Unicorns and her hopes for its future (41:48)

Resources

Princess Monique’s website

Real Black Unicorns

If It Isn’t Love

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers

Freedom’s Teacher by Katherine Mellen Charron

Let's connect!

• Princess Monique: @princessfilmz on all socials
• My Email: [email protected]
• Mentor International: www.mentorfoundationusa.org
• Mentor: www.mentoring.org
• Ashoka Changemakers: www.ashoka.org
• Women’s World Banking Mentorship Program: www.womensworldbanking.org
• Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) www.score.org
• Big Brothers Big Sisters: www.bbbs.org
• Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: www.cherieblairfoundation.org
• Toastmasters International Mentorship: www.toastmasters.org

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