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

Alright, Shanay Jackson thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I grew up in front of a TV, watching a lot of early, authentic & sometimes gritty reality shows, viewing the different human experiences and paths of life. However, I had dreams of being a judge – not sure why but it was a solid dream job for some years. Ironically enough, a slightly traumatic episode of Law & Order made me revisit the idea of getting into law and the thought of that much schooling didn’t help. So I said goodbye to that dream rather swiftly.

I can’t say the exact moment I was like “this is what I wanted to do”, but I watched plenty of E! News, 106 & Park and Director’s commentary & BTS in movies to begin to expand my mind on what a career in TV/Film would look like. From about 14 – 19 I was dead set on being on camera talent – an entertainment correspondent or journalist was my goal and focus.

When I got to college, there was a career summit where I can pinpoint exactly when I began to explore producing and behind-the-scenes careers. At our annual Southern Regional Press Institute, a woman News Director was speaking to our group about what it was like working in TV. She mentioned how many people had desires of on-camera careers but the true magic and power were those behind the scenes calling the shots. That struck something in me and I began to look into what it was to be a producer. At the core, it’s someone who enjoys people and communication, organization, problem-solving, and working in teams – all skills I had. From there everything began to shape and take off…

Shanay Jackson, 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?

I was born with an inquisitive nature about people and their stories. Growing up in the foster care system in the DC metropolitan area I was quickly able to see many different lifestyles in a short span. After adoption, my mother, Celeste, only helped increase my appetite for all things pop culture and TV/Film. Always relishing in a good documentary exploring the taboos of life and underrepresented narratives, I took my childhood hobbies and began to think about a career focused on my interests. As a proud honors graduate of the 1st public HBCU in Georgia, Savannah State University’s Journalism and Mass Communications department, I began my career working in local news. There I was able to be a part of showcasing the stories that matter to the community and became an award-winning Digital Producer, helping millions access vital information during Hurricane Matthew. I took my news experience and in 2017 moved to Atlanta, joining Nakia Stephens in her efforts to make Damn Write Originals the destination for authentic storytelling that elevates women and people of color – later we expanded that vision and became bi-coastal with a move to Los Angeles. And what’s a passion without purpose? I’m devoted to ensuring that everyone feels their voice is heard and in living my truths inspire others to chase their dreams.

As a producer, it is a great and diplomatic honor to be a gatekeeper for those looking to bring stories to life. As a Black woman, I know firsthand how hard it can be to get a “yes” and be able to prove yourself. So it is a purpose of mine to employ talented and hardworking women and especially Black people in all my productions. I take pride in being a vessel of resources, troubleshooting, ideation, and execution for all the various moving parts that are required in production – and there’s a lot! As a liaison between everyone it is integral to keep my communication skills sharp and clear, I provide my fellow creatives with a sense of ease that the job can and will get done with excellence & passion.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

A big goal of mine is to continue in the footsteps of Ava Duvernay, the authenticity and pride she takes with the staffing on her sets. She has been unapologetic & transparent about hiring women, people of color, and first-timers on big-budget projects. This was something I am continuing to push forward. As a minority, it can be hard to get into spaces but I want to also be an advocate for allowing others into rooms. Especially for women and people of color, the boys club is not a thing at least when I’m around. I’m very much fair in those with the skills can be a contender but I will always reach out to bring up HBCU graduates, Black people, women, and LGBTQIA+ because generally, it can be harder for us. And I want to be a place to make it easier to gain skills, network, and a body of work any creative can be proud of.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

An entertainment career isn’t linear. Although there are steps you can take and necessary skills to build no matter what type of industry job you want, I believe there is wiggle room to dream bigger and differently on achieving goals in TV/Film. Especially with the rise of social media and digital platforms that allow you to showcase your work to anyone and everyone, the traditional ways someone may have sold a show or booked their first feature film are blueprints but not concrete.

We’ve been able to take agency over our creative processes and not have to wait for someone to recognize or give us the space to create. As someone who has come up on the indie scene, I’m always in awe at how creatives are able to still tell captivating stories with little to nothing and still make something even grander out of it.

A lot of the time it can seem like creatives are bouncing around from ideas and different gigs, but I’ve learned and seen in real time it is less what you know and who you know. That actor’s part-time restaurant gig could lead to a chance encounter with a screenwriter and now you’ve connected with someone with whom there can be a mutual exchange of skills to bring something to life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/shanayjc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanayjc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanayjcampbell

Image Credits
Main Photo: Tre Hazelwood Additional Photos: Kirsten Moore, Artimio Blackburn & Tre Hazelwood