Sista Brunch

At Sista Brunch, we keep it real — and this bonus episode is no different! 🎤💸 Season 6 guests open up about salaries, budgets, residuals, and multiple income streams across film, television, theater, digital content, and production. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or an industry pro, this is the financial wisdom you NEED to hear! 🙌🏾 👀 Watch, Listen, Follow, Subscribe, Like & Share! 🎧 S...

In this episode of Sista Brunch, hosts Fanshen Cox and Shawn Pipkin-West, along with Black Girls Film Camp alumni co-host Jaida Cox, delve into the journey of seasoned screenwriter/producer Erika Green Swafford. They discuss her career path from hotel management to writing for hit TV shows like 'How to Get Away with Murder' and 'The Mentalist,' her experiences with the Warner Brothers Writers Work...

In this episode of Sista Brunch, hosts Fanshen Cox and Shawn Pipkin-West interview Noelle Green, a Senior Physical Production Executive at Netflix. Noelle discusses her journey from Reston, Virginia, to becoming a leading figure in physical production. She shares insights on her career, including working on films with budgets ranging from $20 million to $200 million and spearheading the Netflix Sh...

In this episode of Sista Brunch, host Fanshen Cox interviews Tayanna Todd, Head of Inclusive Content at Lionsgate. Tayanna shares her inspiring career journey, from her early love of storytelling to her current role in promoting inclusive film content. She discusses the importance of representation in media, the challenges of breaking into the industry, and the value of mentorship and personal gro...

In this episode of Sista Brunch, hosts Fanshen Cox and Shawn Pipkin-West interview the award-winning writer and director, Nandi Bowe. Nandi shares her unique journey in the television and film industry, highlighting her experiences from attending Howard University to working on significant projects such as 'Do The Right Thing' and 'Daughters of the Dust.' Amidst the challenges of living with MS an...

In this episode of Sista Brunch, host Fanshen Cox connects with Marley Jones, winner of the Black Girls Film Camp most original story award, and Meagan, a seasoned film critic and content creator. They discuss their journeys in media and entertainment. Marley talks about her award-winning horror short film 'Stank Face' and her experiences at Howard University, while Meagan shares insights on her p...

In this Sista Brunch episode, hosts Fanshen Cox and Shawn Pipkin-West interview Emmy-winning producer Shrlyn A. Cesar. Highlighting her journey from a theater enthusiast in New Jersey to working on critically acclaimed shows like 'Mad Men' and award-winning documentaries, Shirlyn shares invaluable insights for emerging and seasoned filmmakers alike. She talks about her experiences navigating the i...

In this episode of Sista Brunch, host Fanshen Cox interviews Daysha Broadway, an acclaimed film and television editor. Daysha shares her experiences and achievements, including her Peabody Award-winning work on 'Surviving R. Kelly' and her Emmy Award-winning editing on 'A Black Lady Sketch Show.' The discussion covers her journey from growing up in Compton to thriving in the entertainment industry...

In this episode of Sista Brunch, hosts Fanshen Cox and Shawn Pipkin-West dive deep into the inspiring journey of critically acclaimed actor Khalilah Joi. The conversation covers Joi's transition from broadcast journalism to acting, her impactful role on Grey's Anatomy, and the emotional and rigorous preparations for her roles. Listeners will also learn about the different tiers of television roles...

In this episode of Sista Brunch, host Fanshen Cox welcomes Crystal Roman, founder and CEO of Black Latina Movement, a theater and film production company based in New York City. Crystal shares her journey, from growing up in New York and experiencing identity challenges, to founding her own company and creating impactful narratives. They discuss the importance of diverse storytelling, financial pl...

AD/Director Shawn Pipkin-West takes over as full host in this episode with Canella Williams Larrabee, a seasoned unit production manager and line producer in television. The episode dives into Larrabee's 20-year career, covering her start in the industry, her extensive credits including Netflix's 'Raising Dion' and 'The Night Agent,' and her leadership roles within the Directors Guild of America....

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Sista Brunch! This time, we're joined by Loretta Edwards Wilson, a seasoned acquisitions executive and founder of A Bold Move Media. With over 20 years of experience, Loretta has worked with industry giants like Disney, Sony Pictures, BET, MTV, and Comedy Central. In this episode, she shares her journey from pre-med to media, the intricacies of film acqui...

In the season 6 premiere of Sista Brunch, hosts Fanshen Cox and Shawn Pipkin-West celebrate the stories of Black women and gender expansive people in entertainment and media. They highlight community partners like the American Cinematheque and Post in Black podcast. The episode spotlights Alyson Fouse and Morenike Joela Evans, creator and director of the Netflix show 'Act Your Age,' and explores t...

In this special episode of Sista Brunch recorded live at the Essence Film Festival, Fanshen speaks with entertainment attorney Jalene Mack (@jalenemack).  The discussion explores Mack's role in entertainment law, the importance of protecting intellectual property, and vital business advice for filmmakers and creative professionals. Jalene also shares insights on fundraising, navigating the industr...

This is our final special bonus episode of the Sista Brunch podcast recorded live at the Essence Film Festival in New Orleans! 🎬🌟  Fanshen was thrilled to sit down with the inspiring Letitia Guillory and Crayton Robey to discuss their neo-noir crime drama screenplay, Hound Dog. Based on true events from the 1950s, Hound Dog delves into the life of Don Robey, founder of Peacock Records, and explo...

In this special bonus episode of Sista Brunch, recorded live at the Essence Film Festival, host Fanshen Cox sits down with acclaimed novelist Jacqueline Luckett. Jacqueline discusses her inspirational journey from writing novels to adapting her book 'Passing Love' into a screenplay. She shares personal stories, her motivations behind 'Passing Love', and the challenges of transforming a novel into...

It’s another special bonus episode of the Sista Brunch podcast recorded live at the Essence Film Festival! 🎬🌟  Fanshen shares time with the inspirational creative duo Angela Davis and LaToya Turner to discuss their innovative animated project 'Brown Hands, Black Schools, HBCUs!' 📚✨  "With your brown hands you can pick up books. With your brown hands you can do so many different things."  Sista...

Join us for another special Sista Brunch episode live from the Essence Film Festival! Our host connects with the talented Tamika Lamison to discuss her poignant film 'Superman Doesn't Steal,' a deeply personal story set during the Atlanta child murders.  Get insights into her creative journey, the Commercial Directors Diversity Program, the heartfelt Make a Film Foundation, and her inspiring new v...

In this special episode of the Sista Brunch Podcast, host Bree is joined by Keena Ferguson Fraser, Delece James, Karen Southall, and Miatta Vincent Ronca—key members of the production team for 'The Devil Ain't Pius.' They discuss the inspiration behind the film, the challenges they faced with financing, and their excitement about premiering at the Essence Film Festival. Each guest also shares valu...

🎉✨ Bonus Episode Alert! ✨🎉 We’re thrilled to bring you a special bonus episode of the Sistabrunch podcast recorded live at the Essence Film Festival in New Orleans! 🎬🌟 Our amazing host sits down with the incredible Yhá Mourhia Wright to discuss her short film, 'Chocolate with Sprinkles', and its journey to being screened at this prestigious festival. 🎥 "It's surreal. I'm really grateful, gr...

At the Essence Film Festival for Essence's 30th anniversary, Sista Brunch hosts a special episode featuring Santana Coleman, a Black woman filmmaker with 11 years of experience. Santana discusses her latest short drama, 'The Last Week,' which explores love and the effects of Black male incarceration on families, and shares her journey from college filmmaking to winning an Emmy. The conversation al...

🎉✨ Bonus Episode Alert! ✨🎉 We’re thrilled to bring you a special bonus episode of the Sista Brunch podcast recorded live at the Essence Film Festival! 🎬🌟 Join us as we celebrate and learn from the amazing Tracey Baker Simmons, a trailblazer in urban reality TV. Tracey shares her journey, insights on the importance of Black representation behind the camera, and practical advice on financing a...

🎉✨ Bonus Episode Alert! ✨🎉 We’re thrilled to bring you a special bonus episode of the Sista Brunch podcast recorded live at the Essence Film Festival in New Orleans! 🎬🌟 Fanshen Cox sits down with the talented Okema T. Moore to discuss her incredible year, including her work on 'Chocolate with Sprinkles,' Sesame Street memories, producing and directing experiences, and much more! 🎥  'We are...

Join us for a special bonus episode of the Sista Brunch podcast, recorded live at the Essence Film Festival! Host chats with acclaimed filmmaker and author Nkem DenChukwu about her journey in the film industry. Nkem discusses her latest projects 'Chances Are,' a silent film set in Nigeria, and 'When Hearts Touch,' a 3D animation based on her children's book about the trials of a nine-year-old orph...

🎉✨ Bonus Episode Alert! ✨🎉 We’re thrilled to bring you a special bonus episode of the Sista Brunch podcast recorded live at the Essence Film Festival in New Orleans! 🎬🌟 Our amazing host sits down with the incredible MeMe Kelly, the writer, producer, and director of 'One Night in LA', to discuss her compelling family romance film and her journey as a filmmaker. 🎥 'One Night in LA' is a power...