Amplify!
I am having a lovely time being a part of AIR’s 2024 New Voices AMPLIFY Cohort. (That is me in the lower right corner.)
With AMPLIFY, I am learning how to market, promote, publicize and get comfortable with reading my analytics.
I got rejected for three grants last week. Yeah, bummer. However, being a part of this cohort helps me feel not so bad about those rejections and focus on what I do have!
I have you good people who support me! YOU listen to my shows, send me articles for my research, came to our live show, introduce me to people, donate money and tell other folks about my shows.
I have incredible actors (Gabrielle, Kara, Ian, Luke, Karen and so many others) and foley artist (Ele Matelan) and a phenomenal sound designer (Xperience J.) and a terrific editor (Jordan Kauwling) who help me make these beautiful shows!
I have encouraging sponsors (Blackbird Letterpress and Harlem Brewing) who put their money where their mouths are to make sure that I tell these incredible stories.
LMCC! (The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council) Awarded me TWO grants, not to mention the NINE grants they gave me back in the day for my film festival, Chicks with Flicks!
Fable & Folly Network sells ads AND sponsored Harlem Queen Live!
Podsteam Studios Times Square where we had our standing room only live show!
In case you missed it, more photos from our Harlem Queen Live!
I will post the live show, audio and video, when we publish our season four episodes in May. Of course, because you subscribe to this newsletter, you will get the link to the live show. If you know anyone who may be interested, please tell them to subscribe! Only subscribers will get the link to the video of the live show.
There really is nothing like a live show and I want to do another one. I have the script - that’s the “easy” part. We have the actors. Now we just need a space, foley artist and money to pay those people. Will keep you posted.
I am so thrilled and honored to be a part of the discussion of audio fiction form next month at the Salmagundi Club! I initially wrote the Opportunity dinner in the first episode of Harlem Queen to take place at the Salmagundi Club, but I removed it. However, I did use the club as a point of reference while writing the episode. I looked up photos of similar spaces so that I could have a visual.
If you are curious about audio dramas, swing thru!
(That’s me in the yellow. )
The eventbrite link for the 4/10 Breaking The Audio Fiction form event is now live — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-the-audio-fiction-form-ny-sounds-and-storytelling-tickets-869224041507?aff=oddtdtcreator
For our last CTA, Call To Action, I asked you to send someone a letter or card or piece of mail. Did you do it? No, me neither. Although, I will probably get my act together today and send my niece a belated birthday card.
For out next CTA, Call To Action, read a little about Celeste Beatty, the first Black woman to own a brewery in the U.S., Harlem Brewing and sponsor of Harlem Queen.
While you are patiently waiting for more episodes of Harlem Queen, here is an audio drama recommendation: The Grio’s Harlem and Moscow. Here is the trailer:
I had the opportunity to speak with the writer of the series, Alle Mims. We had a lovely chat about the people of the Harlem Renaissance who traveled to Russia to make this ill-fated Russian propaganda film, the Russian creatives of this film as well as a little about researching and writing historical fiction. I hope to post the interview in the HQ feed soon.
Thank you for reading, sharing, liking!