What does it really take to survive — and shape — Hollywood as a Black woman executive?

In this intimate, mentorship-driven conversation, Karen Horne reflects on motherhood, leadership, money, and the invisible labor Black women carry while building entire ecosystems inside the film and television industry.

From running major studio diversity and talent pipelines to being laid off during industry “restructuring,” Karen speaks candidly about power, pay inequity, coalition-building, and why Hollywood’s progressive image has never guaranteed real equity. She also shares how nurturing writers, executives, and creatives shaped her leadership style — and why stepping away from corporate Hollywood forced a deep reckoning with worth, rest, and reinvention.

This episode is a masterclass in longevity, impact, and believing you’ve earned your seat — especially for Black women and Black gender-expansive creatives navigating entertainment, media, and executive pathways right now.

What We Talk About

• Motherhood and executive leadership in Hollywood

• Pay gaps, bonuses, and knowing your worth

• Why diversity programs don’t fail — studios do

• Coalition-building across marginalized communities

• Leaving corporate power and redefining success

• Mentorship, legacy, and making real impact

Sista Brunch is a Webby-nominated podcast centering Black women and Black gender-expansive people working in film, TV, and media. Each episode blends honest conversation, career insight, and cultural context — like brunch with mentors who tell the truth.

Listen, subscribe, review and share on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

On IG follow @sistabrunchpodcast for clips, updates, and community.

Support the work via Patreon or Givebutter to help sustain independent Black media.

Felicia D. Henderson has built a career most writers only dream of — and she’s still expanding.

In this episode of Sista Brunch, the Emmy-nominated writer, director, and showrunner joins us for a grounded, honest conversation about what it really takes to build longevity in television without letting the industry box you in. From navigating power rooms as a Black woman to making the leap from showrunning into directing, Felicia shares what she’s learned — and what she wishes more creatives were told earlier.

We talk about her directorial debut, The Rebel Girls, a short film that has screened and won at festivals across the country, and the significance of being honored with the Best Live Action Shor Award by the African American Film Critics Association. But this conversation goes deeper than accolades. It’s about creative agency, timing, and trusting yourself when the path forward isn’t linear.

This episode is for Black women and Black gender expansive creatives building careers in film and television — especially those thinking about expansion, reinvention, or simply staying in the game long enough to tell the stories that matter.

If you’ve ever asked how to grow without shrinking, how to pivot without starting over, or how to claim authority on your own terms, this one’s for you.

Save this episode. Sit with it. And come back to it when you need clarity.

In this Season 7 pre-launch bonus episode, we sit with filmmaker Praise Odigie Paige, whose short film Birdie is playing at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, to talk about quiet storytelling, risk, faith, and what it takes to make the work you believe in — even when the odds feel stacked.

This conversation is a reminder that there is power in patience, in subtlety, and in choosing yourself as an artist.

• Praise’s journey to filmmaking — from growing up between Nigeria and the U.S. to abandoning a pre-med path for film ([00:02:00–00:06:30])
  

• The making of Birdie and why she was drawn to a quiet coming-of-age story rooted in faith, displacement, and girlhood ([00:08:00–00:13:30])
  

• The Biafran War and why this under-discussed history matters to the film’s emotional core ([00:11:00–00:12:45])
  

• Why Virginia (and Appalachia) became the setting for a Nigerian immigrant story — and what cultural exile looks like on screen ([00:14:00–00:15:30])
  

• Writing against expectation: resisting pressure to make the story louder, faster, or more “palatable” ([00:16:00–00:19:30])
  

• Financing the film — self-funding, shooting on 35mm, and what it really costs to make a period short ([00:20:00–00:21:30])
  

• Shooting during election week in rural Appalachia and navigating safety, community, and grace on set ([00:22:00–00:23:15])
  

• The Signature Sista Brunch Question — what Praise would tell her younger self about mistakes, timing, and growth ([00:25:00–00:26:45])
  

If you’re a Black woman or Black gender expansive creative navigating film or media, this episode offers:

• A grounded look at career sustainability in entertainment
  

• Permission to make work that’s quiet, specific, and true
  

• Honest insight into mentorship, risk, and self-trust
  

• A reminder that representation isn’t just about visibility — it’s about nuance
  

Praise’s story speaks to anyone building in real time and learning to honor their own pace.

Praise Odigie Paige is a Nigerian-born filmmaker based in Brooklyn. Her work centers girls and women on the edge of quiet transformation. Her short film Birdie is screening at the Sundance Film Festival, and she is currently developing her debut feature, Igboland, an intimate period drama exploring faith, girlhood, and desire at the edge of war.

• 🎧 Listen and subscribe to Sista Brunch on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
  

• 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: @TruJuLoMedia
  

• ⭐ Leave a review — it helps more people find this community

• 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @SistaBrunchPodcast
  

• 🤍 Support the podcast via Patreon or GiveButter to help us continue archiving these stories

TV history in the making! Sheila Ducksworth, executive producer of Beyond the Gates—the first one-hour soap with a predominantly Black cast—joins us to share how she brought her lifelong vision to life.

We talk about how the CBS/NAACP partnership came to be, Sheila's career journey from economics major to entertainment exec, and what it means to build with purpose and impact in TV. She also shares a brilliant tech tip, brunch stories, and advice for her younger self.

🎧 Listen + follow us on Spotify, Apple & everywhere you get podcasts.
📲 More on Instagram, YouTube + TikTok: @trujulomedia | @sistabrunchpodcast

#BeyondTheGates #SheilaDucksworth #SistaBrunch #BlackWomenInEntertainment #TruJuLoMedia

In this intimate post-screening conversation, The HiveMind Unified founder and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Kareema Bee sits down with acclaimed director Ekwa Msangi (Farewell Amor) to unpack the powerful themes in both of their films: The Self Love Act and Farewell Amor. This special Q&A was part of the Sista Brunch x HiveMind Unified celebration held at Vidiots, featuring a community-centered screening and artist talk.

From self-love to immigration, cultural identity to creative risk, Kareema and Ekwa speak candidly about what it means to make deeply personal work that also reaches audiences across the globe. Whether you’re a filmmaker, a fan of indie cinema, or on your own healing journey—this conversation is for you.

📍 Farewell Amor is now part of the Criterion Collection.
🎬 The Self Love Act is fundraising to produce more episodes—visit HiveMindUnified.com to support.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Welcome & Kareema Bee intro by Shirlyn Cesar
01:00 - Ekwa Msangi intro & career highlights
03:00 - Love, identity & creative parallels between the two films
06:00 - Navigating assimilation & cultural duality
10:00 - Ekwa’s personal inspiration for Farewell Amor
13:00 - Kareema’s journey to on-camera vulnerability in The Self Love Act
16:00 - The metaphor of Kizomba, Kuduro & music as storytelling
19:00 - Final reflections on voice, risk & artistry

✨ Hosted by Sista Brunch and The HiveMind Unified

🎧 Subscribe to hear more stories of Black women and gender expansive creatives in entertainment:
📺 YouTube: @trujulomedia
📲 TikTok: @trujulomedia
📸 Instagram: @sistabrunchpodcast
🌐 Website: www.sistabrunch.com

#KareemaBee #EkwaMsangi #SistaBrunch #FarewellAmor #TheSelfLoveAct #HiveMindUnified #Juneteenth #IndependentFilm #BlackWomenDirectors #ImmigrantVoices #CriterionCollection #DocumentarySeries #TruJuLoMedia #StorytellingAsLiberation 🎥🌍🧡

In this special Juneteenth bonus episode of Sista Brunch, co-hosted by The HiveMind Unified, we sit down with award-winning writer/director Ekwa Msangi (Farewell Amor, Saint X, Three Women) to talk about the deeply personal story behind her debut feature film, navigating the industry as a Black woman filmmaker, and the long journey to recognition—from Sundance to Criterion Collection.

Join host Fanshen Cox and co-host Shirlyn A. Cesar (Emmy-winning producer and HiveMind Unified Director of Programs) as they explore the power of storytelling, the realities of independent filmmaking, and what it means to make timeless work—especially in the face of systemic exclusion. Plus, Ekwa shares what she’d tell her younger self at a real-deal Sista Brunch.

🖤 This episode is dedicated to the resilience, creativity, and brilliance of Black filmmakers everywhere.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Welcome by Fanshen Cox & Shirlyn A. Cesar
03:00 - Introducing Ekwa Msangi & Farewell Amor
06:00 - What inspired the story
08:30 - Navigating Sundance, investors & indie financing
13:00 - Budgeting the film and sacrifices made
16:00 - Distribution journey & pandemic impact
17:30 - Advice to her younger self
19:00 - Five years later: why this film still resonates
20:00 - Immigrant narratives in the age of Trump
21:00 - Favorite creative resources & staying inspired

📍 Recorded at Vidiots and in partnership with The HiveMind Unified, an organization supporting underrepresented early-career creatives in entertainment.

🔗 Follow, Subscribe, and Watch More:
Instagram: @sistabrunchpodcast
YouTube: @trujulomedia
TikTok: @trujulomedia
Website: www.sistabrunch.com

#Juneteenth #BlackFilmmakers #FarewellAmor #EkwaMsangi #SistaBrunch #BlackWomenInFilm #CriterionCollection #IndependentFilm #TheHiveMindUnified #TruJuLoMedia #FilmTalk #SundanceFilmFestival

How do Black creatives in entertainment actually get the job done? In this end-of-season bonus episode of Sista Brunch, our guests and Black Girls Film Camp co-hosts break down the tech, tools, and behind-the-scenes knowledge they rely on—from LED screens to Avid, Scriptation, and color theory.

Whether you're an aspiring director, editor, actor, or producer, you’ll get the real tea on what it takes to thrive behind the scenes in TV and film.

Timecodes & Guests:
[00:00:00] Jayden introduces Let's Talk Tech
[00:00:30] Khalilah Joi – Lighting, backdrops, Line Learner, iMovie & auditions
[00:01:50] Shirlyn A. Cesar – Paper edit process (High on the Hog, Netflix)
[00:02:45] Noelle Green – LED screens vs. green screens + VFX team dynamics
[00:04:25] Canella Williams Larrabee – Art & Props Dept explained
[00:05:45] Morenike Joela Evans – Scriptation, Keynote & multicam directing
[00:07:00] Erika Green Swafford – Writer-to-showrunner career ladder
[00:07:35] Jaida Cox (BGFC alum) – Symbolism & color in post-production
[00:08:45] Daysha Broadway, ACE – Editing reality TV, frame rates, camera grouping
[00:10:30] Loretta Edwards Wilson – Programming strategy & pitch tips
[00:12:00] Marley Jones (BGFC alum) – Sony A7 camera love & film camp support

Sista Brunch is a Webby-nominated podcast sharing stories of Black women & gender-expansive folks in media. Hosted by Fanshen Cox & Shawn Pipkin-West.

Watch, listen, follow, subscribe, like & share on:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube: @youtube.com/trujulomedia
TikTok: @trujulomedia

#FilmTech #BlackWomenInMedia #SistaBrunch #DirectingTips #TVProduction #WomenInFilm #BlackGirlsFilmCamp #MediaCareers #SetLife #PostProduction #Scriptation #ColorTheory

What would you tell your younger self if you could sit down together for a real Sista Brunch? 🥂
In our Season 6 finale, our brilliant guests — from award-winning writers to groundbreaking producers and directors — share heartfelt advice they wish they had heard when they were just starting out. 💛

From trusting your journey, to embracing your light, to building your dreams without fear — this compilation is packed with the wisdom, love, and encouragement we ALL need to hear.

✨ Guest Timecodes:
00:06 — Erika Green Swafford
00:20 — Noelle Green
01:00 — Tayanna Todd
02:00 — Nandi Bowe
02:53 — Meagan (MeaganzWorld)
03:42 — Shirlyn A. Cesar
05:00 — Daysha Broadway, A.C.E.
06:00 — Khalilah Joi
07:00 — Crystal Shaniece Roman
08:00 — Loretta Edwards Wilson
08:40 — Morenike Joela Evans
09:40 — Alyson Fouse

💥 Don’t miss our most listened-to episode every season! Hit that play button, listen to these gems, and share this love letter to the next generation of Black women and gender expansive storytellers.

👉🏾 Watch, like, comment, subscribe and share!
🖤 YouTube: @trujuolomedia
🖤 TikTok: @trujuolomedia
🖤 Listen on Spotify + Apple Podcasts too!

#SistaBrunch #EntertainmentIndustry #BlackWomenInMedia #PodcastCompilation #WisdomToMyYoungerSelf #Storytellers #Filmmakers #TVWriters

At Sista Brunch, we keep it real — and this bonus episode is no different! 🎤💸 Season 6 guests open up about salaries, budgets, residuals, and multiple income streams across film, television, theater, digital content, and production. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or an industry pro, this is the financial wisdom you NEED to hear! 🙌🏾

👀 Watch, Listen, Follow, Subscribe, Like & Share!
🎧 Spotify + Apple Podcasts
📺 YouTube: @trujuolomedia
🎵 TikTok: @trujuolomedia

👉🏾 Full Timecodes:

• [00:00:00] Alyson Fouse: Executive Producer salaries, saving tips, and residuals reality

• [00:03:00] Morenike Joela Evans: Directing gigs post-strike, juggling gigs, and building multiple careers

• [00:07:00] Loretta Edwards Wilson: Producer budgeting tips and maximizing backend income

• [00:09:00] Crystal Shaniece Roman: Theater production budgets and financial survival strategies

• [00:12:00] Khalilah Joi: How actors negotiate pay for Guest Star, Recurring, and Series Regular roles

• [00:15:00] Daysha Broadway: Climbing the editor pay ladder and why having an agent matters

• [00:18:00] Shirlyn A. Cesar: The real cost of docuseries production and the constant push for fair pay

• [00:21:00] Meagan aka MeaganzWorld: Content creation as a business: brand deals, media kits, memberships

• [00:24:00] Nandi Bowe: Early days pay as a PA and AD, and the hustle for long-term success

• [00:26:00] Tayanna Todd: Salary growth in corporate media and negotiating beyond base pay

• [00:30:00] Noelle Green: Breaking down studio production budgets and high-level exec salaries

• [00:32:00] Erika Green Swafford: Residuals, script fees, and winning with reruns

• [00:33:00] Fanshen & Shawn: How to support the Sista Brunch community!

🔥 Key Topics:

• Salaries for TV writers, showrunners, directors, editors, actors, producers, and execs

• Budgeting for film, theater, TV, and digital content

• How residuals, grants, brand deals, and memberships build financial sustainability

• Why negotiating and self-advocacy are critical at every career stage

• The financial realities behind "making it" in Hollywood

🖤 Hosted by Fanshen Cox and Shawn Pipkin-West
🎙️ Produced by TruJuLo Productions
✨ A Webby Award-Nominated Podcast

🔔 Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss the wisdom, love, and truth that Sista Brunch delivers!

#SistaBrunch #EntertainmentIndustry #FilmTVCareers #BlackWomenInFilm #MoneyTalks #TVProduction #Filmmaking #BlackCreatives #PodcastClips #MediaCareers

In this episode of Sista Brunch, hosts Fanshen Cox and Shawn Pipkin-West, along with Black Girls Film Camp alumni co-host Jaida Cox, delve into the journey of seasoned screenwriter/producer Erika Green Swafford. They discuss her career path from hotel management to writing for hit TV shows like 'How to Get Away with Murder' and 'The Mentalist,' her experiences with the Warner Brothers Writers Workshop, and her current deal to develop TV shows with Disney’s Onyx Collective. The episode also covers technical aspects of filmmaking, financial insights into the industry, and the importance of community and representation in media. Swafford shares personal anecdotes, professional advice, and her vision for the future, making this an inspiring and informative conversation for anyone interested in the entertainment industry.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement

00:53 Meet Jaida Cox: Black Girls Film Camp Alum

01:20 Jaida's Film Camp Experience

03:28 Welcoming Erika Green Swafford

04:22 Erika's Early Life and Career Beginnings

10:08 Transition to Entertainment Industry

20:51 Warner Brothers Writers Workshop and The Mentalist

26:06 Understanding the Hierarchy in TV Production

26:36 Challenges of Moving Up the Ranks

27:19 Promotions and Career Milestones

27:35 Supporting Our Podcast

28:05 Discussing Financial Aspects of TV Writing

29:12 Residuals and Script Fees

33:27 Overall Deals and Industry Insights

36:32 Technical Aspects of Production

38:41 Personal Touches in Storytelling

42:39 Signature Sista Brunch Question

45:02 Closing Remarks and Credits