Joy Donnell is a producer, speaker, author, advocate, activist, and all-around inspirational human being. We are so thankful she agreed to be a part of this project on inclusivity.
When she isn’t behind the camera creating editorials and fashion films as a producer, she steps in front of the camera as a model and spokesperson. Joy is Chief Visionary of SUPERJOY Media and co-founder of luxury lifestyle platform, Vanichi. In 2018, she established the Center for Intersectional Media and Entertainment [CIME] alongside Munika Lay and Dr. Nicole Haggard. (bio from site)
Follow Joy:
Instagram: Joy Donnell & SUPERJOY Media & CIME Twitter: Joy Donnell & SUPERJOY MEDIA
THE INTERVIEW
What are you working on right now?
I’ve just launched the Center for Intersectional Media and Entertainment, or CIME, alongside executive producer Munika Lay and public intellectual Dr. Nicole Haggard. Pronounced “see me”, we’re working with artists, academics, activists, allies within the industry and audiences to advance intersectional media and create pipelines for more storytellers.
I’ve also launched my own company, SUPERJOY Media, which focuses on products and content. First on the agenda is my forthcoming book, Beyond Brand, that deep dives into the process of using media to build cultural legacy.
What does “inclusivity” mean to you?
Inclusivity is course correction. Diversity has always existed; our systems and institutions just haven’t been embracing it at our collective advantage.
An inclusive mindset is having enough cultural awareness, societal awareness and self awareness to be weirded out when you’re in rooms and circles that lack various perspectives and experiences. Inclusivity is how we grow, innovate, stay competitive and win. It can’t be embodied by one solo individual. It’s a tapestry.
Can you name a film or TV Series that you feel fully embodies inclusivity?
I’m not sure fully embodying inclusivity is the point. Some shows like The Good Place do a good job but it’s difficult for any one entity that does it 100%. Tropes are necessary for storytelling and will always exist. It’s the creative’s job to not get tricked by tropes in ways that narrow story possibility, character development and representation.
Have you ever felt at a disadvantage in the industry for any reason? If so, what was that reason and how did you overcome it? What advice would you give someone facing a similar situation?
I’ve experienced people go out of their way to try to make me feel disadvantaged, outnumbered and discounted. It didn’t work.
I once got asked to take a meeting with a manager who was seeking help with an entertainment project. We had a mutual acquaintance who reached out to me directly. Once I got in the meeting, the manager, who was a white-presenting man, looked me up and down, began asking me point blank about the race of every single client I’d ever had in my life, and insinuating that I didn’t know how to work on mainstream projects because of my black woman-ness.
I reminded him I didn’t ask for the meeting, my time was requested, I don’t like it wasted, and I don’t work with feces disguised as people. It you sit in crap too long, you stop smelling it. The only advice I have is to remember who you are. I’ve always had to be exceptional, run faster, jump higher… so every time I walk in a room I know I’m already overqualified.
Also, build enough reach for yourself where you’re always overflowing with options. Walk in the room with options. It helps you outmaneuver those who plan to block you.
What, if anything, do you wish got more attention in the world? Got less?
I wish activists were as famous as celebrities and I wish we spent less time making fake people famous.
We could, instead, use that energy to combat the epidemic of missing indigenous women as well as violence against trans women. Just to name a few.
In the post #metoo world, do you think we have any sort of responsibility to “ban” or steer away from content that includes individuals accused of heinous crimes? Convicted? If so, where is that line drawn?
For the most part, I think this is a personal choice. This isn’t the first time in history that we’ve dealt with art made by problematic people. There are even Founding Fathers on our money with problematic biographies. I personally have no issue with acknowledging and looking deeply into the full view of a person. The good and the bad is part of the complexity. Understanding the complexity gives you an advantage.
Entertainment in particular is a collaborative product. So several teams of people are often involved in the finished work and they also suffer when someone gets cancelled. Each person gets to decide if the art resonates with them and has relevance. At the same time, industry culture also gets to decide who resonates and still holds value. If you don’t like them, don’t support them. If enough people agree with you at the same time, they’ll virtually disappear.
What is one step everyone can take to help move the industry forward in terms of inclusivity and representation?
We are all part of the audience and the audience has the most power. And now social media has made all of us active media creators and/or distributors.
Pay attention to the media you consume. Ask yourself what it shows you about the world and who it represents. If you like it, praise and promote it. If it needs to do better, let them know on their social networks. Actively share news and info about people in the industry doing things you admire. Write reviews on Amazon Prime and Google. These are all ways to become more media literate.
Who, currently working in the industry, inspires you?
I love what Ava Duvernay is doing with ARRAY. It’s getting more voices distributed and they’re selecting beautiful stories. Shadow and Act is doing amazing reporting and I appreciate them for it. Sandra Oh is an entire vibe.
I love that Halle Berry made sure she talked to all the black media outlets at the John Wick 3 premiere. A very real thing that happens too often is that black and brown media outlets get put at the end of the red carpet. The publicists overlook them, often not seeing their value because of unconscious bias. Halle saw this happening at her premiere and made sure she gave them time.
Diversity of ownership in media will never happen without the entertainment industry also providing lift and support to these smart, independent outlets. They usually have extremely loyal audiences so if you overlook them, you’re missing out.
Name a movie you think everyone should see.
The Color Purple
Joy Luck Club
Moonlight
13th
What would you like to promote? (can be your own project, someone else’s, an organization, a cause, a movie, company, brand, whatever)
CIME is advancing representation through programs, pipelines, research and development. To help our Next Generation youth programs or funding for underrepresented creative professionals, please make a tax deductible donate at https://cime.us/donate-1