Changemakers
“Things are a little different. The host is wearing a dress. And that is a first ... I want to put a rumor to rest. I did not get this gig because I’m Sidney Poitier’s daughter. There’s been a lot of speculation. I got it because I seem to cross so many ethnic and political lines. I’m an equal opportunity offender and to make sure that you don’t feel short changed in the political soapbox department, I’m going to get it all out of my system right now: save the whales, save the spotted owl, gay rights, men’s rights, women’s rights, human rights, feed the homeless, more gun control, free the Chinese dissidents, peace in Bosnia, healthcare reform, choose choice, act up, more AIDS research, let Frank Sinatra finish.”
You can watch Whoopi Goldberg’s full opening monologue here.
March 21, 1994, was the date that Whoopi hosted the 66th Academy Awards. I was about to turn 14-years-old, and knew in the bottom of my heart that I wanted to make movies some day. I watched the Academy Awards as often as I could and of all the years, this one stood out to me the most. A woman, a black woman, was hosting the show and she said things I couldn’t even wrap my mind around, because we simply didn’t talk about them at home. What is a Chinese dissident? Where’s Bosnia? What is healthcare?! I did know who Frank Sinatra was - he was our Papa’s (my dad’s dad) favorite and we all still listen to him when we need to feel a hug from our Papa.
While I don’t make Hollywood movies, I did follow my dreams. I create video content for myself and my clients. And interestingly a lot of it has to do with Whoopi’s list and more - human rights, animal rights, healthcare, education, arts, politics, and social justice. I create content for these issues because it is important to us as beings that inhabit this earth TOGETHER.
I may never have the reach or influence of Whoopi Goldberg or any other Hollywood celebrity, but I can do the same humanitarian work in my own way. That work looks like the videos I create for our local nonprofits and even my corporate clients. Through collaboration with my clients, I not only help tell their stories, I help change lives. The nonprofits I’ve worked with have provided housing to the houseless, education that prepares refugees to apply for their US Citizenship, and opportunities that have helped bridge the political divide through conversation. The corporations I create content for donate their products and employees donate their time to help build schools and support STEM programs. The lives changed through these organizations are extensive and they’re no Hollywood celebrity either. We don’t need to be, because we’re all making a difference in this world in our own way.
I don’t watch the Academy Awards as often as I used to, but every year around this time I reflect on that 66th show in 1994. The dreams I had at 14 and the realization that I’m living those dreams at 45, are all I need to keep doing the work. And who knows, maybe someday I’ll be up on that stage, hosting and/or giving and/or receiving an award. Until then, I’ll keep creating and helping change lives through video.