We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Jocleen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?
I’m very drawn to Zora Neale Hurston because I believe we share the same ambitions. Although she’s known as a novelist, according to an essay by Gloria Gibson, she may also be the first African-American woman filmmaker. As a journalist, she covered the Ruby
McCollum Trial for the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper.
She also collected Negro folklore and in a way I believe I do too.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Nicole Jocleen. I am a journalist and independent filmmaker from Oklahoma.
I graduated from Southern University A&M College with a BA in Mass Communications. I’ve written for The Tulsa World, edibleOKC, 405 Magazine, and BeenWorthy Magazine. In 2023 I received the Great Plains Journalism Award for my article on black vegans in Oklahoma City titled “Maybe We Should Change What We Eat.”
I self published my first poetry book in 2010. I wrote and produced my first web series “On The Scene” in 2015. Over the years I have independently, with the help of my production team Devoted Media Group, produced three web series, eight shorts, one feature, and one docu series. Most which can be found on YouTube.
In 2022, I collaborated with Jay “VideoHero” Ridley and Kian Taylor to produce Riding Legacy: An Oklahoma Black Cowboy Story. In 2023 this documentary was selected by the American Black Film Festival, Bronzelens Film Festival, deadCenter Film Festival, Greenwood Film Festival, and Circle Cinema Film Festival. It was also shown in Hollywood, Florida at Redwood Bar & Kitchen.
As an African American female filmmaker from Oklahoma I know my stories come from a place of being unseen. Black Oklahoma is not known or understood by the majority and I am glad that I have the privilege to document and tell the stories that represent the people that I resemble the most.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In 2022, while shooting my documentary “Riding Legacy” my mother passed away. Her funeral was around Memorial Day which was also the same time as a major rodeo that needed to be documented. I remember burying my mother and then maybe 2 days later going to Boley Rodeo to do interviews for the documentary. I remember thinking if I was looking for a reason to check out this would be a good reason, but I really wanted to finish what I started and I knew my mother would want me too as well.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I strongly believe in walking in integrity and having open communication.
Integrity is everything. As a creative it’s possible to have a great idea pop in your head every day. But only start what you can finish and finish well. Starting something and not completing it will create mistrust between you and your audience and you and the people you’re working with.
Communication is essential. Don’t be afraid to say what you need to say. When you don’t people make up things and their perception becomes your reality.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/nicolejocleen?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DevotedMediaGroup?si=ZNz_SrEc14WzGe3N
- Other: To purchase poetry book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-be-afraid-of-men-and-their-faces-shayla-monroe/1136009669