They refused to invest in her dreams and spewed out some really harsh criticism. “The chances that this is a business are practically zero. You only have so many minutes on Earth, don’t waste them trying to sell lipstick,” Businessman Kevin O’Leary told 29 year Detroit native Melissa Butler in 2015 on ABC’s “Shark Tank.”

You are unauthorized to view this page.

When it comes to filmmakers that are household names, usually Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Woody Allen and Michael Bay are at the very top the list. What’s wrong with this picture? Most prominently known film producers are usually males. However, there is a female film producer that has been a part of the industry for a long period of time and she is continuously breaking these barriers.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Social media has reinvented the way we view activism. No longer do you need to pass out flyers or go knock on several doors to spread the word. A simple tweet to your followers or a post on Instagram will reach more people, in a short amount of time. This is especially true for individuals that are internet sensations or have a massive following. Social media presence is king in today’s society.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

So far 2018 has been an amazing year for Black cinema. No two portrayals are the same and there is a little something for everyone. While there is still progress to be made these films are refreshing to see. Long before its release, I had been hearing talks of a film adaption of Angie Thomas’ debut novel “The Hate U Give.” The bidding war for the rights was being discussed, reactions to the cast, and even talks of colorism all shrouded the film before it even hit theaters. One of the running themes or emotions I felt while watching this film was the honesty of it all. As a Black woman watching this film I felt seen and I knew so many others would too.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

The creator of the Emmy nominated web series “Brown Girls,” Fatimah Asghar, has released “If They Come For Us,”  a book of poetry that “captures the experiences of being a young Pakistani Muslim woman in contemporary America.” Through her work of both “Brown Girls,” and “If They Come For Us,” Asghar talks about the intersectionality of being a woman, an orphan, an immigrant, Muslim in America, and queer.

You are unauthorized to view this page.