We were lucky to catch up with Zuri Pryor-Graves recently and have shared our conversation below.
Zuri, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to make a living full-time from my creative pursuits, especially as an intimacy coordinator with a background in sex therapy and mental health. But, let me tell you, it wasn’t a straight road to get here. It took a lot of dedication, persistence, and being open to change along the way.
From the get-go, I knew I wanted to merge my passion for advocating for sexuality and mental health with my work in entertainment. Initially, I focused on sex therapy and mental health, but over time, my role evolved into intimacy coordination—a crucial aspect of TV and film production.
A big part of my journey was realizing how my therapy skills could overlap with the demands of intimacy coordination. I started offering mental health support on top of my role as an intimacy coordinator, carving out a niche for myself in the industry while meeting a growing demand.
Sure, there were hurdles along the way, especially in bridging the gap between therapy and the technical side of production. But each challenge was a chance to learn and grow. I sought mentorship, dove into industry-specific training, and connected with professionals from all walks to broaden my expertise.
Looking back, I think diving into hands-on experience in entertainment earlier could’ve sped things up. While my therapy background laid a solid foundation, getting into on-set dynamics and industry specifics sooner might’ve fast-tracked my transition to a full-time creative role.
In the end, my journey has taught me the importance of persistence, adaptability, and being open to constant learning. By embracing my strengths and working on my weaknesses, I’ve built a fulfilling career that lets me impact both the entertainment world and mental health advocacy.
Zuri, 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?
My work and life are all about championing real representation, consent culture, and mental health awareness in entertainment. My journey kicked off in sex therapy and mental health, where I honed my knack for understanding relationships, communication, and emotional support.
Wanting to blend therapy with my creative side, I dove into intimacy coordination—a gig focused on ensuring intimacy scenes in TV and film are safe and respectful. My role? Offering everything from scene consultations and choreography help to on-set support and mental health resources for cast and crew.
My big thing? Making sure on-screen intimacy is all about consent, authenticity, and emotional well-being. With my therapy background, I’m there to offer vital mental health support, ensuring everyone feels respected and safe on set.
What makes me stand out? It’s my unique combo of therapy smarts and entertainment know-how. I tackle intimacy coordination from every angle, recognizing the emotional side as much as the technical stuff.
My proudest moments? Making waves in entertainment, from pushing for inclusive representation to providing mental health support on set. My mission is all about building a culture of respect and consent, both behind the scenes and on-screen.
For folks interested in my work, know this: I’m here to create safer, more inclusive spaces in entertainment. Whether you’re a filmmaker needing intimacy advice or someone seeking support on sexual health and well-being, I’ve got your back with compassion, expertise, and tailored help.
Ultimately, I believe everyone deserves to feel valued and heard, whether they’re in front of the camera or behind it. As an intimacy coordinator and mental health advocate, I’m dedicated to making that vision a reality in the entertainment world and beyond.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My creative journey is fueled by a passionate commitment to advocate for authentic representation, inclusivity, and mental health awareness within the entertainment industry. At its core, my work revolves around amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities. I firmly believe in the power of creating spaces where diverse perspectives can thrive and be celebrated.
As both an intimacy coordinator and mental health advocate, I’m deeply invested in promoting genuine portrayals of human sexuality, mental wellness, and overall well-being on screen. It’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, sees themselves authentically represented in the media they consume. This means challenging harmful stereotypes and championing nuanced, compassionate depictions of diverse experiences.
Not exclusively, but my focus extends specifically to supporting black narratives and queer storytelling. I provide guidance and resources to filmmakers and creators who are committed to capturing the richness and complexity of black and queer identities accurately. By empowering marginalized communities to tell their own stories, I aim to contribute to a more diverse and equitable media landscape.
In addition to this, I’m passionate about breaking down the stigma surrounding discussions of mental health and wellness. This includes fostering open dialogue and understanding around disorders and diagnoses, including those related to intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through my advocacy work, I strive to create safe and supportive environments where individuals feel seen, heard, and validated in their journeys toward healing and self-discovery.
Ultimately, my goal is to leverage my platform and expertise to drive positive change within the entertainment industry and beyond. By advocating for authentic representation, supporting marginalized communities, and raising awareness about mental health, I hope to play a role in building a more inclusive, compassionate, and empowering world for all.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
You know, there’s this one moment from early in my career that really stands out to me. It was when I was making the leap from sex therapy to intimacy coordination in the entertainment biz.
Let me tell you, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I faced a ton of challenges that really put my determination to the test. Some folks in the industry weren’t convinced I had what it took for TV and film production. And wrapping my head around the technical side of intimacy coordination – like choreography and industry lingo – was a real struggle.
But I wasn’t about to let anything hold me back from fighting for genuine representation and consent culture in entertainment. Instead of letting doubt get the best of me, I saw each hurdle as a chance to grow.
I reached out to mentors in the industry, dived into specialized training, and teamed up with colleagues to expand my knowledge. With a mindset of resilience and perseverance, I tackled setbacks head-on, knowing they were all part of the journey.
And you know what else? All that hard work started paying off. I started getting recognition for my unique perspective as an intimacy coordinator with a background in therapy. By sticking to my guns and staying true to my values, I carved out a career that lets me make a real difference in both entertainment and mental health advocacy.
This entire experience has been a real eye-opener for me. It’s taught me so much about resilience and the importance of sticking to your convictions when faced with adversity. Challenges? They’re just opportunities in disguise, and it’s made me even more passionate about embracing those obstacles and turning them into opportunities.
Nowadays, I’m all about pushing boundaries, shaking up the status quo, and making a real difference. Whether it’s in my work or just in everyday life, I’m all about advocating for positive change and leaving my mark on the world. I’m determined to keep moving forward because at the end of the day, I believe that every difficulty is just a stepping stone to something bigger and better.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @intimacywithz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zuri-pryor-graves-45484512/
- Other: intimacywithz.com
Image Credits
Capture the Seoul