We were lucky to catch up with Derett Boyd Jr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Derett, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

My creative journey began unexpectedly in middle school when my seventh-grade writing teacher introduced our class to spoken word poetry. The moment I heard the artists perform, I was deeply moved and asked her if I could take that DVD home. That evening, I shared the DVD with my mom and sister, and we were all equally captivated. It was then that I truly understood the transformative power of words and their ability to touch people’s hearts.

Despite being inspired, I knew performing on stage wasn’t an option due to my intense stage fright at the time. This led me to explore alternative creative outlets, discovering my first digital creative space on Smallworlds, a virtual gaming website (like Club Penguin, IMVU, etc.) where I spent countless hours. Here, I found a community of creators making short films and web series, which fascinated me. I began writing my own miniseries’, drawing inspiration from existing media and adapting stories for this small digital screen. People enjoyed my work, though, at the time, I saw it merely as a hobby.

When Smallworlds shut down in 2018, I thought my creative outlet had vanished. However, this setback coincided with a period in high school when I found myself with more free time for various reasons. I started watching extensive amounts of television, but this time with a critical eye. I began noticing editing mistakes and nuanced conversational details that didn’t work. This observation sparked a deeper interest in the craft of storytelling.

Driven by curiosity, I dove into YouTube tutorials about screenwriting and industry practices. I learned how to write professional-grade scripts and began crafting my own, one by one. This passion ultimately led me to pursue a degree in Mass Media Arts, concentrating in Radio, Television, and Film. Today, I’m working in the PR industry, establishing my business DBOYD MEDIA, and have just launched my company’s first web series, “Does That Make Sense?”—a testament to the creative journey that began with a simple spoken word poetry DVD in middle school.

Derett, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Derett Boyd Jr., and I’m the founder of DBOYD MEDIA, a production company with a mission that goes far beyond traditional storytelling. We’re committed to championing original, diverse, and foundational narratives that have the power to transform how people think and live.

My journey into the film and television industry was driven by a deep-seated passion that led me to study the craft extensively, ultimately graduating with a degree that would become the foundation of my creative vision. I always knew I wanted to establish a production house at some point in my career, but I didn’t anticipate doing so this soon. However, the current media landscape—oversaturated with reboots and recycled content—convinced me that now is the time to create something different, and reminded me of the bigger picture.

DBOYD MEDIA offers comprehensive pre-production services including but not limited to creating and maintaining project budgets, casting, location scouting, and developing realistic timelines. Additionally, with an emphasis on screenwriting, we dive deep into storytelling, meticulously planning narratives, developing rich characters, and crafting meaningful and impactful story beats. If you’re having trouble ideating, together we can bring the idea out of you and build a foundation.
What truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to telling genuine stories centered around diversity, Blackness, and queerness, and doing so responsibly. In 2024, we’re witnessing a concerning regression in the representation of Black directors, actors, and creatives in mainstream media. Instead of trying to fit into an existing, limiting framework, I’m dedicated to creating an entirely new avenue for storytelling. We’ve found the square peg for the square hole.

My proudest achievement to date is our web series “Does That Make Sense?”, which follows two best friends—one gay, one straight—as they navigate love, career paths, and friendship against the backdrop of societal perceptions (coming this spring). This project is more than just a show; it’s a testament to our commitment to producing high-quality, authentic content. The team has poured incredible effort into bringing this pilot to life, and we’re just getting started.

To potential clients, supporters, and fans, I want you to know that DBOYD MEDIA isn’t just another production company. We’re storytellers, change-makers, and passionate creators committed to producing work you can be proud of—work that challenges, inspires, and truly reflects the complexity of the human experience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My vision for the company extends far beyond simply creating content—it’s about making a meaningful impact on culture and conversation. The ultimate goal is to elevate the company to a point where it becomes a beacon of innovative storytelling, spoken about with respect and admiration in the most influential creative spaces.

My mission for the DBOYD MEDIA is simple, yet profound: to elevate culture by pioneering inspiring and authentic stories that transform lives, spark powerful dialogue, and prompt positive change in the world.

Through DBOYD MEDIA, I aim to be more than a content creator—I want to be a cultural catalyst, changing how we see, understand, and connect with each other through powerful, authentic narratives.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I express my sincerest gratitude toward the people I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with who understood my broader vision for the future of media and television from the very start–it’s because of them that I already feel rewarded in what I do.

My greatest fulfillment will come the moment a single viewer is able to see themself authentically represented on screen and can point to my project as an example of media that changed their life. Growing up as a Black gay man in America, I intimately understand the pain of consuming media that either erases or misrepresents your experience. I’ll know I’ve won by then.

I have the most amazing job in the world, I get to create, write and tell stories–something humans have been doing since the dawn of time. That said, it’s about more than entertainment; it’s about validation, visibility, and the power of storytelling to expand our collective understanding of the human experience, and I’m excited to take people on that journey with me and the company.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dboydmedia.com
• Instagram: @derett.gemini, @dtmsseries, @dboydmedia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derettb/

Image Credits

Derett Laying In The Grass: Kendall Wood

DBOYD MEDIA Logo by Luke Beasecker
Photos by Jazz Cummings
Creative Directed by Trinity Simmons
Does That Make Sense Poster by Saudia Furcron