Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Adrienne Whaley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dr. Adrienne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

As the executive director of a nonprofit Film Festival – I’m happy that I took the plunge and created a much needed Platform in my community for Indie Filmmakers who produce Movies, Performance Videos and Series Episodes.

While organizing and hosting a Film Festival is a great deal of work, it is extremely rewarding to see the smiles and sense of accomplishment from Filmmakers as they Interview on the Red Carpet and sit and watch their Projects come to life on the Big Screen.

To screen movies and projects from all around the world truly provides meaning for us as an organization. We’re still rather new and small. This Season will complete our 19th Film Festival and 6th Black History Film Festival. We welcome Submissions from all ethnic groups, genres and categories – and Filmmakers seem to know because not all of the Submissions that we Screen are African American – proving that certain stories, experiences and visions are indeed, “Universal”.

To provide more “meaningful” experiences for the Filmmakers and Creatives, we’ve partnered with several non-exclusive TV Network Distribution Companies whereby even those Filmmakers with Shorts and Videos can have earning potential.

What else gives meaning to what we do? Our repeat Filmmakers truly give us a sense of “doing something right” and every Season we work hard to upgrade ourselves to offer more support to Indie Filmmakers.

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 remember growing up knowing that Count Basie lived up the street and James Brown lived up the street and around the corner. I remember that my Father, a police officer, spent his weekends drawing portraits. My mother, also a police officer, spent her weekends taking me to various dance, music and art classes; plays and restaurants in Manhattan. These experiences easily led me to get in touch with my creative side and try everything including attending the High School Of Art and Design.

Years passed and I found myself working in Corporate America for a very long time before opening a Video Store in my neighborhood – just as the Video store business crashed, I returned to a 9 to 5 working for the State Of NY and after a few years, I returned to college earning several degrees and moved into Special Education. From Teacher to back to college, I then became an Administrator and SEIT (traveling special education teacher) Supervisor and Evaluator.

While working in education for well over a decade, I continually met Teachers and Teacher Assistants with extraordinary Creative Talents and that stayed with me. There are so many Creative people who have not been able to find salaries in the Art World and find themselves in “regular” 9 to 5’s.

Literally, one day, I woke up and made a decision. I had to take the risk and create a business for Creatives. Opening an Art Studio, we began with art classes and an after-school program for young children. The after-school component never took off, however, the programs that we ran for adults did. From there we moved into “Open Mic” events for Poets, Singers and Musicians. Offering regularly scheduled events, we also rented the space out for others to hold events. Next, we added “Movie Nights” and all that we did then segued into a Film Festival accepting Music, Dance, Poetry Videos along with Movies and Documentaries.

To add a little flair, having come from the neighborhood of Count Basie, James Brown, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Coltrane, Billy Holiday, Al Roker, etc. and etc., we integrated the “Red Carpet” where all Filmmakers, Cast & Crew could have their Interview with all of the Red Carpet Hosts. As the only Film Festival in our area which accepts Films from Submitters who do not take classes from us – we’ve made a difference. We, in fact, do not offer classes, we’re all about offering an International Film Festival with all of the Categories and Genres. We do, however, hold Movie Nights during the Summer and/or Holidays, where we re-Screen the “best of the best”.

While funding is difficult, grants are few and far between, we love what we do and we know that we’re a warm, fun, welcoming Platform fulfilling many of the needs of Indie Filmmakers whether they are newbies or professionals. There are thousands of Film Festivals across the globe and we’re always excited and appreciative when Directors choose us!

I’m proud that Creative support was all around me growing up and that my parents ensured I had a good education and upbringing. They were both great role models for work, hobbies and being productive. I can also look back and see where previous job experiences have also benefited me greatly along with having had several other businesses.

Being in business, whether you are a for-profit or nonprofit is extremely challenging – much more so than the average 9 to 5. Working in education, I did have to bring work home, but, nothing like working for yourself with minimal staff and no guarantee of a bi-weekly paycheck.

The pandemic is still affecting many businesses and nonprofit organizations including us. And we never stopped. During the world shut-down, we pivoted to being an Online Festival from my living room one Season, the following Season we held the Festival in my front yard and backyard. Thereafter, we traveled to various Venues as space began to open back up. We had full attendance each time with the exception of the Online Festival. That’s when we deeply felt the importance of In-Person Events.

The need for such a Platform is real and people will travel from all over the country to participate in person, therefore, every Season we have a Film Festival regardless.

My mother was gravely ill during the 2022 Film Festival Season and passed away at age 90 before the 2023 Season. Two of the most challenging Seasons ever, but during her illness we spent extra time together, sharing good and not-so-good memories. Two things she told me that will stay with me forever. First she told me that I made life interesting (a more accurate statement would have been “OMG, there were those times….!) however, she was always a gracious, “glass is half full” sort of person. The second was a promise to “Have fun and to do whatever I want to do”. Over a year-and-a-half later – I’m still having fun doing something that I love, believing that a real paycheck is “any day now”, but most importantly, I’m doing something for others that I do not have an interest in doing myself. I believe that my not being a Filmmaker is another thing that sets our Festival apart. We come at it as “audience members” who support and mingle with the Directors, Actors and Crew. We’re here to cheer them on and make sure that they have the best experience ever. This goes back to growing up in a Creative Household within a Creative Community where everyone is “Star”, no one is better than the next – everyone has Talent with the opportunity to be seen on the same Big Screen.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

In reflecting on my journey, it began with not knowing what I wanted to do after not graduating from college the first time out. It led me to work as a temp for all types of large companies and corporations in Manhattan. I learned everything from these experiences -although I was a terrible secretary – I was quiet and polite and listened to everything. That was the best education ever and by the time I landed full-time jobs, I had a lot of knowledge under my belt.

I kept watching, listening, learning and remaining quiet before opening my first business. Realizing that I still didn’t know enough, I returned to school which led me to return to the workforce, which reminded me that I really didn’t feel like working for others anymore, which sent me back to college to earn an Associate in Marketing, BA in Organizational Management/Human Resources to an MBA. Still needing a paycheck, I landed a job in Special Education and remained for a while, but soon tired of being a classroom teacher – which of course, prompted me to return to college to earn my Administrator’s License. All of those Creative Teachers and Assistants haunted me daily. Such Talent without a formal Platform! Also and most importantly, there were all of these children who were not being taught the proper way to create art. Now mind you, I taught, supervised and evaluated pre-schoolers, but remember, I lived with an artist, who taught me the right way and then attended an art school, where we did not have a choice, but to learn correctly.

So I came up with this bright idea to open a studio with after-school programming where children could learn all different types of art taught by real artists. One year in, it was easy to see that the parents were far different from the parents of my generation who spent a lot of money paying for our after-school, summer programming and weekend adventures.

It was two young people in their twenties who came into the studio one rainy night and asked if they could hold a Cypher in the space – for free of course. My saying “Yes” changed life as I knew it and set us upon the path that we are on now. Instead, using the space for Creative Events for Adults opened the world up and I knew I was then doing what I am meant to do – and realistically – it took all of various job and career experiences, mistakes, learning, degrees and visions to figure it out and make it happen. Again, I am not a Filmmaker and had not attended many Film Festivals. But – I felt it, I knew what to do and I did it and am still doing it.

Creatives, from all genres, have a lot in common. Those commonalities defy racism, sexism and gender discrimination. When different people can come together to Celebrate, Support each other, share and Network – it is the best of everything; and when they return for 2 -5 seasons – it lets you know that you’re doing something that’s needed, good and beneficial for others.

While there are a few things I would do differently, it wouldn’t change the outcome – I’d still be here and my mother still would have told me to be happy and do what I want to do. I’m just very grateful that she had the chance to attend a few Film Festivals and that she and my father allowed me to be me – well, at least most of the time.

To other entrepreneurs – the resources and learning are all around you all of the time. We get to pick what we need at that time and recall other resources as we need them. The learning never and shouldn’t ever stop.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion, and my opinion only, society, as a whole does do a lot to support Creatives. Many events are well attended (free and ticketed). Audiences typically follow several if not a lot of Creatives on Social Media.

There are also many Grant Foundations, Sponsors, etc. However, Grants and Sponsorships are very competitive and tedious, which makes it challenging for Individual Artists as well as small nonprofit organizations. But, it is doable with a strategy in place and a good support system.

Film, Fashion and Poetry are the event areas that we cover. I would like to see more support for Indie Filmmakers, especially as many movie theaters and movie theater chains are closing. I’d like to see folks wear more clothes that are designed by an Artist, vs. mass-produced clothing. However, I am mindful of the budget. It would be great if there were more paid opportunities for Poets, but events in New York seem to do well.

For me – it goes back to Education. Many of the Art Programs were removed from Schools and only a few were teaching art accurately with the proper tools, supplies and techniques. Artists should be hired to teach, not pushing it off on a general classroom teacher who may not have the know-how or interest. The second issue – is the limited type of classes – Art offers so much – painting, drawing, sculpture, jewelry design, fashion/accessory design, stained glass, photography, ceramics, etc., etc. A variety of class offerings are needed because not everyone wants to draw or paint. Lego building for competition has become big -and yet – building is not taught in schools- but blocks and legos are offered to “play with” without a strategy or concrete learning involved.

Then Art was put back in the schools – more than likely quickly and without a plan. Cheap paint brushes and cheaper paper are such a disservice. My 3-5-year-olds had to bring in tee shirts or pillowcases and I bought in fabric paint and real paint brushes. It makes all of the difference and they were able to take “Usable” creations home. Teach them young and they’ll never forget – they will also remember the process, the accomplishment, the real work involved and that they can do something creative, practical and purposeful. Being fully creative has been proven, to increase intelligence, resourcefulness, understanding, patience, self-development, problem-solving skills, team and individual work ethics.

Too many people of all ages, especially in NYC seem to be angry, impatient, lack mediation skills, self-control, and ethics and are struggling for identities. I learned to sew at age 14 and have never felt the need to wear another designer’s clothes or accessories as a badge of honor or faux identity. Hands-on learning and having the freedom to experiment is vitally important to growth and development of people of all ages.

One of the greatest supports that can be extended to Creatives – is to become Creative. In doing so -many of the gaps will automatically be filled with that “Aha” moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.QueensUndergroundFilmFestival
• Instagram: https://www.instagram/Queens_Underground_Film_Festival
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adriennewhaley58
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adrienne-whaley-8b1707a7