Sista Brunch

"I just kind of go where I can tell stories." - Susan Lewis

Susan Lewis started off as an unpaid PA on an indie movie, worked her way up to assisting at an agency, became an exec at MTV Films (where she acquired the rights to the mega-hit TWILIGHT), and is now the Head of Drama Development at ABC Signature.

Listen as she shares her impressive journey from PA to head exec, eating ramen noodles while making it as an assistant, leading "with a 13-year-old girl's heart," managing all-day Zoom marathons, and trusting her instincts.

Hanelle Culpepper is an award-winning writer/director whose projects span film and episodic television. She was chosen to direct the pilot for Star Trek: Picard, which premiered earlier this year, becoming the first woman to helm a new Star Trek pilot series in its 53-year history.

Listen as she talks with Fanshen and Anya about what makes a successful and thorough prep when directing TV, the appreciation of sci-fi that led to her creating a 50s style PSA on standing in line for the Star Wars movies, the intense process that led to her getting the job on Star Trek: Picard, balancing family and work, and how to stay motivated through the ups and downs of a career.

Tatiana Lee is an award-winning actress, disability activist, and model who has appeared in campaigns for Target, Zappos, Apple and more. She's also the Hollywood Inclusion Advocate at RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community.

This episode, Fanshen and Anya chat with Tatiana about her journey toward a career in front of the camera, representing disability on the big and small screen, identifying as a disabled Black woman, and self-care in the midst of it all.

In part 2 of our series with TIME'S UP, veteran stunt choreographer La Faye Baker and 1st AD/Director Shawn Pipkin join hosts Fanshen Cox and Anya Adams to talk about improving safety for women behind the camera, navigating (and dismantling) toxic workplace environments, bullying and verbal/emotional harassment on set, colorism and the power of speaking up for fellow crew.

Ann James is an intimacy choreographer, director, producer, and educator whose organization, Intimacy Coordinators of Color, promotes "decolonized intimacy practices" and inclusive hiring practices in the entertainment industry.

In this episode, she reveals how to make set intimacy more inclusive, respectful, and encompassing of various gender identities, sexualities, racial identities, and disabilities. Listen as she talks with co-hosts Anya and Fanshen about the danger of people-pleasing, protecting others on set and the power of being "bystanders in the room," and why OnlyFans is on the verge of a revolution for sex workers.

In part 1 of the series, we speak to TIME'S UP Foundation COO Monifa Bandele about the worldwide impact of Black women's art, our voices, and holding Hollywood powerbrokers accountable for change. She also tells hosts Fanshen Cox and Anya Adams about the importance of disrupting unequal power systems to create "a new normal."

We're back with a new season of truth-telling and celebrating with hosts Fanshen Cox and Anya Adams!

First up with our hosts is an original "Sista Brunch-er," Shawn Pipkin! Shawn is a 1st AD and director whose list of credits include Grey's Anatomy and Greenleaf. She's also a Directors Guild of America committee member.

Shawn talks about the movement that inspired our podcast, the importance of mentoring emerging black talent on the set and why it's good to be "the dumbest person in the room" (her words, not ours!). Then, take notes as she breaks down the growing trend of "calls" for diverse talent by employers.

Redelia Shaw is a producer and educator; she leads the Media Production program at Santa Monica College, where we taped many of our episodes for this season. Her projects include "Race Relay," a multi-media production that explores the state of race relations in America today.

She co-produced the documentary "Cocaine Prison," which screened at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. An industry second assistant director, Shaw has also worked on "Scandal," "The Office," "Queen Sugar" and "House of Lies." She is also a member of the Western AD/UPM Council Education Committee and the DGA African American Steering Committee.

Felischa Marye is a TV writer. She’s also the creator and co-executive producer of “Bigger,” the hit comedy series on BET+ comedy series which recently got picked up for a second season.

Felischa left a successful career in public relations and marketing to move to attend UCLA’s MFA in screenwriting program. While she was in school, she sold a pilot to HBO and was later staffed for two seasons on Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why.” Listen as she tells Anya and Fanshen why she waited to chase her Hollywood dreams, the day she met Eric Monte, the writer of the classic film, "Cooley High," how she keeps representation of race and class authentic and so much more.

Music Credits:

Stock Media provided by AudioKraken / Pond5

Stock Media provided by BenBeats / Pond5

Felicia Pride creates content in all kinds of ways. She was a writer on Ava DuVernay’s Queen Sugar and is developing the erotic romance feature film Deeper with Universal Pictures and Will Packer Productions.

She’s also the brains behind The Create Daily, a popular resource that curates jobs and opportunities for underrepresented creators. She says she created it in 2012 to thrive professionally and have ‘successful, long-ass fulfilling creative careers that we pay forward.’

Now she’s adding ‘Director’ to her title, with the online release of her short film, “tender,” which she has released through her production company Felix and Annie. The movie, which is a love letter to all Black women, follows two seemingly different women - as they share a very intimate morning after.

Listen to her words of inspiration - and discover what exciting (network TV related) things are in her future.

Music Credits:

Stock Media provided by AudioKraken / Pond5

Stock Media provided by BenBeats / Pond5