We were lucky to catch up with Brianna Clay recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brianna , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Since childhood, there was always a part of me that felt drawn to a creative path, but I found myself grappling with the pressure’s of societal expectations and the pursuit of what seemed conventionally secure. To be honest, I wasn’t certain if a creative career could provide stability. It wasn’t something I thought was possible or had even seen up close.

It was my involvement with the Nate Parker Film Institute in 2018 that shifted my mindset. I was selected as one of 25 young black storytellers nationwide to visit Wiley College in Marshall TX, where I had the opportunity to collaborate on a short film, Black Bones, that was later screened at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. During my tenure in the program, I served as a director and benefited from invaluable mentorship from seasoned film professionals. It was this experience that showed me what was possible. Witnessing peers who looked like me pursuing their creative passions illuminated the realm of possibilities that I once thought were out of my reach.

From that moment, there was no looking back. I returned to Chicago with a renewed determination. I immersed myself in independent film projects, collaborated with local artists, and began to establish a brand centered around creative directing, writing, producing, and curating immersive storytelling experiences. This journey made it clear to me that storytelling was not just a passion but a part of my purpose, and I knew at that moment it would be infused in every aspect of my professional career.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In essence, I am a storyteller in every aspect of the term. I firmly believe in the profound power of stories to connect and transform us. Whether conveyed through television, film, literature, or the simple act of sharing experiences verbally, stories give us the ability to resonate with each other on a deep level. My expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives through filmmaking and content creation, fostering environments conducive to shared storytelling through experiential events, and guiding clients in creatively expressing their narratives through the art of creative directing.

I think what truly distinguishes me is my deep-seated passion for diving headfirst into every facet of the storytelling process. I refuse to confine myself to just one role – whether it’s writing, directing, editing, producing, or curating events that foster storytelling. I don’t believe in boxing myself in. Instead, I thrive on being the kind of person who’s in the trenches, assessing what’s needed, and figuring out how to contribute to the bigger picture. It’s about being adaptable, versatile, and always ready to roll up my sleeves to ensure the success of any project.

What I cherish most on this journey is the opportunity I’ve had to leverage storytelling as a tool for fostering community. Beyond crafting narratives for consumption, I’ve recently started creating physical spaces where storytelling thrives firsthand. My summer series, ‘Journals in the Park,’ centers on empowering Black women to reclaim their narratives and assert full ownership over their experiences. It’s a space for Black women to pause, reflect, share, and nurture new experiences through journaling and storytelling. While the stories we create hold allure, I believe the true magic lies in the lived stories shared among us, and what better way to hear and honor them than by gathering together.

Whether collaborating with me in partnerships, participating at my events, or simply engaging with my work as a viewer, my hope is that people can sense my dedication to telling stories that inspire conversation, community, and connection.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Two resources immediately come to mind. The first is the scripture 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” This scripture guides my approach to creating and sharing my gift, which I believe is the ability to serve through storytelling. Keeping this principle at my core has helped me cultivate healthy business relationships, add significant value to projects, and show up in creative spaces with a heart for the work.

The second is a quote from a 1968 interview with Nina Simone. When asked, “What does freedom mean to you?” she replied, “I’ll tell you what freedom means to me… No fear. If I could have that half of my life… NO FEAR.”

Chasing a dream—whether in entrepreneurship, a creative endeavor, or any other aspiration—requires finding your own personal freedom and overcoming the fear that says you can’t accomplish something or that you lack the necessary resources. Every morning, I remind myself that my creative freedom is expressed most fully when I create from a space where fear does not exist.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is simply the ability to connect with others through the art we create and share. I cherish understanding people through their art and having others understand me through mine. For me, being an artist comes with no limitations, it means embracing freedom in your form of expression. In many ways being an artist has been my liberation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://briannalclay.com
• Instagram: @itsbri.clay
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannaclay/

Image Credits

Photographer of the main photo is Erin Morgan Taylor – @erinmorgantaylor on IG