00:00I stalk Essence's website. I'm a huge fan. So I was waiting for the contest to come around and I submitted a film that I wrote with a friend of mine named Anthony Phillips. It was a 15 minute short film about love and relationships and the cycle of pain and heartbreak.
00:20It was January that I found out that I was the potential winner and that in like a week or so they would let me know if I had actually won. And immediately I called my mom. I grew up reading Essence because of her. So it was just going to be like a huge honor. So I called my mom and then I probably cried because I'm a crybaby. When I went to the Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, it was amazing.
00:44You all have nourished my voice. And thank you is not a strong enough show of gratitude.
00:51It was a life changing experience to be there and to be in the same room as all these women whose careers I've watched and wanted to emulate my entire life.
01:01Being here today is not only a dream come true, but a monumental step towards fulfilling my purpose.
01:07Being on a journey in the entertainment industry is really, really hard for so many different reasons, especially as a woman of color.
01:14But entering and winning a contest like this, it really lets you know that you're moving in the right direction.
01:22And sometimes that's all you need to keep progressing, to keep moving forward, to keep you waking up every day and to keep you going after your dream.
01:29And that's what this award made to me. And so this contest, it's just, it's a life altering experience.
01:35Being in the Black Women in Hollywood luncheon room, you'll never forget it.
01:40And nothing will ever make you question your journey again once you've been in that room.
01:46So do it. That's the only thing I can think to say is do it.
01:50I've told everybody I know who creates to submit something.
01:55Yeah, it's worth it.
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