We were lucky to catch up with Kathy Lofton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathy, thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

When I resided in Dallas, TX, shortly after graduating from college, I did not go home that first Christmas. Earlier that holiday week, I had already decided where I would spend Christmas Day: beneath the “mix master.” This was the area of the freeway where all the routes met and appeared entangled. Below the freeway was an encampment of homeless people.

When I was driving through one day, I recall the first time I glanced down and saw the people camped out below. I gasped. It took my breath away. I had not ever seen that level of homelessness before. In my hometown of Memphis I’d only seen one or two people out on the street in passing. Never before had I seen 20 or more people outside living in tents with blankets and sleeping bags. It was an eye-opener. I was moved.

I veered off and drove down near the encampment one day to get the attention of one of the campers as he walked by. I asked him how many people were down there, including women. He gave me a number. I went to a discount store a couple of days later to get items for Christmas. I was going to surprise them.

I bought basic toiletries and personal items, hats, grooming supplies– things they could use. On Christmas morning, I drove down to the end of the road leading toward their camp. I got out of my Honda Civic and stood there. It’s as though they somehow knew why I was there. Maybe they recognized the car. I don’t know, but for some reason they are stopped what they were doing and just started running full speed toward me. I began tearing up.

To see grown me running like children. They didn’t even know I was there bearing gifts. Maybe just the thought of someone coming by was gift enough. For whatever reason, I was not afraid although I was alone. I yelled out, ‘”Stop, stop! Line up, Line up! I chuckled at them. They laughed back. I then said, ‘Y’all don’t even know what I got. Back up, will ya!

They were very respectful and lined up like kids at school. I had to turn around for a minute so they wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes. I then reversed, and held out a bag. I told each of them as they stepped up to reach in and pick out one item for Christmas. They were SO happy and grateful.

When they were all finished. I asked, “Where are the ladies?” The last man told me they stayed back. I asked would he kindly take the three ladies their gifts. He nodded, took the items and left. I watched a minute before I drove off. It was sight to behold.

I was glad I didn’t go home for Christmas. The spirit of Christ was definitely in downtown Dallas.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a business and public administration major, respectively, by education and profession. However, my passion is that of indie filmmaker and videographer. I’ve always had a creative side: I was a child thespian and produced my first documentary short at age 10 as part of an assignment in a program for the gifted. I started out as a photographer in 2002. First, as a hobby, then as required in some of my marketing & communications job roles. My godmother encouraged me to finally put up a shingle because I was good at it. I followed through with her advice and eventually started my small business, Lofton Media. Several after that, I added filmmaking to the umbrella as a result of a life-changing experience.

After I became the primary caregiver for my father following his debilitating stroke, I began hearing untold stories from fellow family caregivers. Their tales were so intriguing, I decided I wanted to capture some of them on film. That’s how I ended up writing, directing and producing my first feature-length documentary, ‘I Am a Caregiver.’ It won at a festival in 2016. From there, I caught the bug and diversified into different film genres and began winning awards at other festivals. Pretty soon, I began producing videos for individuals and small organizations. What was so beautiful about my film journey is that I was able to include my father in several of my productions. He is now retained forever in my work and not just my heart.

In 2021, I became an associate producer for an Emmy-nominated director of a docu-series that is in post-production. in 2023, I became a first-time executive producer for a film that I am ecstatic about! This has been a deferred dream to step from behind the camera as a director, writer and producer of my own works. I was also cast as an actress in a film short written, produced, and directed by a young woman who has worked along side Oscar-winner Jessica Chastain on a Showtime series.

I think what sets me apart from other creatives is my altruistic and community-centric side. I am big on volunteerism and helping vulnerable populations. I especially have a soft spot for senior citizens. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I use my arts and talents as a means of advocacy. I am a National Urban Fellow, which is a group of minorities committed to public service, and I am currently a Lead for America (LFA) and AmeriCorps fellow. Within the latter fellowship, I work in the digital equity space serving senior citizens in my hometown through the non-profit Innovate Memphis. I have been named LFA’s first ‘Fellow of the Week’ for 2023 due to a documentary short I produced on my efforts carried out on the MLK Day of Service observance. I’m very proud of that! I also founded a social media page, ‘The Caregiver Project 901,’ which is a support and information resource for non-paid family caregivers.

The problem I solve for others is aligning perspective. I help you to see creative views and how to simplify things through strategy. I don’t want you to look like everyone else. When working with customers, my aim is to tailor services and not “cookie cut,” as well as provide equitable outcomes for BOTH of us. I am a consumer too, and there is no worse feeling that paying out a lot of unnecessary money. Conversely, not one wants to be short-changed for time and effort. I will give you excellent work, but I won’t charge you unrealistically. That doesn’t okay you asking me to take less. It just means I am a fair person.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I think NFTs are risky. Like cryptocurrency, there is still more to learn and there is some volatility there. It is also challenging coming up with images that will sell. For example, my friend and artist April had to play around quite awhile until she found a painting that got high bids. Then, she had an imposter who tried to swindle her out of her art collection.

So, time will tell on this one. The platform on which people are auctioning makes a difference too. I think there may be a few good ones out there, but knowing which is the trick.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

One goal driving me is to break the stereotypes of African-American film content. Typically, there seems to be a certain theme or genre of film produced by Black creatives in my city. I have a different perspective of cinema from many directors of color located here, and I want to show that in my work. I wish to provide a unique view of storytelling and entertainment that says my diaspora has other levels of consciousness, points of view, creative juices, conveyance of social skills at high-levels, and ways of communicating thought processes. I don’t want to give in to expectations; I want people to be surprised at my work because they underestimated it.

It’s like my good friend originally from Britain once told me, “You have to stop thinking like a Memphian and think like a diplomat.” I don’t want to fit in. I want to stand out.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kathyolofton.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/lofton_media
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/loftonmedia901
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kathyolofton
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/caregiver901

Image Credits
Angie Yu