We were lucky to catch up with Marlize Duncan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Marlize thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

I don’t think I could name just one person. I will say, though, that I have an affinity for multi-hyphenate creatives like Issa Rae, Donald Glover, or Tyler, the Creator. I’ve always been the type of person who had to try something at least once. I’ve created content for social media, written op-eds, created all types of artwork, and so on. I’m inspired by the creatives who wouldn’t allow themselves to be put in a box and assigned to a specific niche. They’ve all taught me that I don’t have to put all of my energy into one passion for the rest of my life. About a year ago, I had the chance to ask Tyler, the Creator about how he was able to flow from vastly different industries or projects, and he said, “I think a lot of people confuse a choice with pushing another choice to the side. It’s not always, ‘Okay, multiple choice, okay [choose] ‘B’. No, it could be ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C.'” I 100 percent agree with that. I will create what I want when I want, especially when I see that it doesn’t exist or isn’t being talked about. I think Issa, Donald, and Tyler all carry those same sentiments.

Marlize, 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?

I’m a multi-hyphenate creative, but at my core, I’m a storyteller. All of my creative projects and published work are done with the intent to either tell my story or someone else’s. As a journalist, I’ve carved a niche beat for myself at the intersection of identity, pop culture, and social justice with articles ranging from colorism in Hollywood to Abbott Elementary’s reliability to teachers. I also take to TikTok with explainer videos on similar concepts like “blackfishing,” and occasionally I make comedy sketches to make people laugh online. Outside of journalism, I’ve worked on a documentary, hosted an entertainment morning show, copywritten at Converse, and created initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion in a couple of my university’s newsrooms. Oh, and I’m an artist. Really, I just want people to know that I’m a creative storyteller who’s willing to think outside the box about the media we consume, all while making an impact.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There are two extremely rewarding parts about being a creative: the impact that your work creates and showcasing who you are. I go into many of my projects thinking about what readers and audiences could learn about. I think even the most everyday scenarios can be turned into compelling stories just by adjusting the framing. Added nuance can give people some of the best “aha” moments. Being able to see change being made from my work, whether it be change in thought or change in policy, drives me to continue creating. To my other point, I find that in a lot of the stories I tell, I can see myself in them which feels like another way for people to understand who I am. In certain works, pieces of myself can be found. Sometimes it’s my identity, other times it’s my values; different aspects of Marlize are always there.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known about more creative collectives and forums to build relationships with other creatives. For years, I would go around hoping I would just meet people along the way who were also artists, but now I know that there are organizations and events like CultureCon or Black Girls in Media dedicated to doing just that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marlizeduncan.journoportfolio.com/
• Instagram: @MarlizeDuncan
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlize-duncan-43710317a/

Image Credits
Danielle Hardy