We recently connected with Tomeka M. Winborne and have shared our conversation below.
Tomeka M. , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
“As a filmmaker, my focus has always been on creating work that brings awareness to social issues and marginalized communities. My latest short film, Wise Love, tells the story of a mother who becomes the caregiver for her 19-year-old son recently diagnosed with schizophrenia. In a desperate attempt to save him from himself, she faces a decision that could change their lives forever. This film is a deep dive into the emotional and mental toll of caregiving, particularly in the context of mental health.
I’ve also created projects like Aged Out, which highlights the struggles of youth aging out of foster care, and Left Behind, which focuses on the emotional impact of youth whose parents are deported. These stories aim to bring attention to the challenges that often go unnoticed in our society.
In addition to my narrative work, I was commissioned to produce two impactful documentaries: In Plain Sight: Human Trafficking, which exposes the harsh realities of modern-day slavery, and Aberdeen Gardens 158: Built By Us For Us, a historical exploration of a self-built community by African Americans during segregation. Each of these projects is driven by the desire to ignite conversation, raise awareness, and, hopefully, inspire change.”
Tomeka M. , 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?
Tomeka M. Winborne is a writer, director, and producer dedicated to social impact filmmaking. Her latest short film, Wise Love, aims to spark conversations about mental health and caregiving. She also directed the feature documentary The Aberdeen Gardens 158, For Us, By Us, which explores the history and future of Aberdeen Gardens, a neighborhood built in 1935 for African-American workers as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
Tomeka currently directs audiobooks for Penguin Random House Audio and Harper Collins Audio. Her journey into filmmaking began with her first novel, Where My Strength Comes From (2005). After a successful eight-state book signing tour with Waldenbooks, she felt inspired to bring her stories to the screen.
In 2009, Tomeka wrote and directed her first short film, Pass Me By. Since then, she has directed two commercials, one PSA, and four more short films addressing social issues. Her 2018 film Aged Out raised awareness about young adults aging out of foster care and was screened at the BronzeLens and CineOdyssey Film Festivals. It has also been used by Newport News’ Department of Human Services and various nonprofits.
In 2014, Tomeka produced the documentary In Plain Sight: Human Trafficking for Cox Media Group. She has also produced and field-produced several TV segments. In 2021, she was selected for the AWD Directing the Actor Lab, a hands-on program led by Jennifer Warren. Currently, she is working with industry mentors and a career coach to achieve her goal of directing episodic TV and feature films.
Tomeka serves on the Board of the Alliance of Women Directors (AWD), co-chairs the Black Directors’ Advancement Initiative (BDAI), and leads various mentoring programs, workshops, and a filmmaking book club.
Previously, she hosted the Tea Talks with Tomeka podcast, where she interviewed women filmmakers, and Watch Jaro, where she spoke with artists from the African Diaspora. She is an active member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Women of Color Unite, Women in Media, and the Video Consortium. In 2015, she served on the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Virginia Production Alliance board and has also volunteered as a film reviewer for Southern Arts.
Learn more about Tomeka M. Winborne at www.tomekawinborne.com.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
“I’m driven to tell stories that spark meaningful dialogue around perspectives often overlooked or considered less favorable. Too often, we don’t reflect on how our decisions impact others unless we’re personally affected. As a Black filmmaker and author, I’m passionate about normalizing the full spectrum of Black humanity—showing that we love, hurt, succeed, fail, grieve, laugh, and cry, just like everyone else. My goal is to create stories that educate, inspire, and, at times, simply entertain.”
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
“Creating ‘Aged Out’ was a labor of love, and like many independent filmmakers, I faced significant challenges along the way—both creatively and financially. During a tough period in my life, I poured everything I had into this passion project, knowing the odds of financial gain were slim. But after one particular screening, for a nonprofit a young man approached me, gave me a heartfelt hug, and said, ‘Thank you for telling my story.’ That moment made every sacrifice worth it. It was a powerful reminder that art has the ability to connect, heal, and give voice to experiences that often go unheard.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tomekawinborne.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomekawinborne/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tomekamwinborne
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeka-m-winborne-8487531/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomekaWinborne
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Gladys Eden (Wise Love Pictures and AWD South Tyler Perry Studios) – BDAI was taken with my cellphone.