We recently connected with Byron-Gabriel Proutt and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Byron-Gabriel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The way I started my production company, which builds on the same entrepreneurial spirit that has fueled my other companies. This new initiative comes in response to a roadblock I encountered in my efforts to make a meaningful impact on the community. I remain deeply committed to advancing work around Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, not only within the community but also on a broader scale.

I personally believe that education and mutual understanding are essential to creating positive change. I am dedicated to fostering environments where people can come together to learn about each other, celebrate our differences, and find common ground. In my view, the journey of learning should never stop, and I aim to lead by example in this ongoing pursuit of growth and connection.

Byron-Gabriel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

One of the core principles of Good Duck Productions (GDP) is accessibility. I firmly believe that the projects and resources we create should be available to everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation. To make this vision a reality, I made the decision to establish GDP as a Non-Profit (501c). This allows us to offer our projects to the public for free, ensuring that the work we do can reach and impact as many people as possible.

At the heart of GDP’s mission is the belief that education and understanding are essential to building a more inclusive world. I am committed to fostering environments where individuals can learn from one another and grow together. Through this initiative, I hope to make a lasting, positive impact on communities everywhere.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In December 2023, I was laid off from my position in the tech industry, a field I had been a part of since 1999. After this setback, I spent several months seeking a way to return to the tech world, but I was also reflecting on my true passions. In January 2024, I made the decision to take a different path and founded GDP, a production company with a mission close to my heart.

While I initially sought to keep my work in documentaries, seminars, and community engagement separate from my career in tech, I began to feel that my commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)—specifically my work with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)—was, perhaps unfairly, a factor in my layoff. Although I can’t say for certain, some comments made during my time at the company made me wonder if my advocacy for DEI played a role in the decision.

Almost a year into running GDP, and despite my efforts to secure a traditional 9-to-5 tech job, I’ve come to realize that this is my new path. Running a production company is not just a career for me; it’s a calling. I’m proud to have taken the leap and turned this new chapter into an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community, especially through projects focused on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.

What began as a setback has now become a powerful force for change. GDP has allowed me to continue doing work that I am passionate about, and I am committed to making a lasting difference, one project at a time.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

What’s meant for you will always find its way to you. And that peace, that clarity, is something I carry with me as I continue to lead GDP forward. That lesson is PRICELESS!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goodduckproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodduckproductions/