We had the good fortune of connecting with Nakia Danielle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nakia, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I think back on why I’ve chosen to pursue film and television, it always begins with my childhood and just knowing – even before I could fully articulate it, that the worlds I saw come alive on stage, screen and through music was exactly where I wanted to be. The moment I really knew was the year I turned 13. My mom took me to a Christmas play that the local community theater put on and that night changed my life. The next year, I joined the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theater for youth under the tutelage of Dwight E. Woods. The experiences I had from being a part of that group led me to where I am today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
At my core, I am a storyteller with a deep love for theater, film and music. My stories are rooted in human experiences that even if you cannot fully relate, you can still feel and enjoy. When I came to Atlanta a little over a decade ago, I set out to make my mark in TV and Film. I knew what I wanted, even if the direction I would take seemed unclear. Like many creatives, starting out for me was learning how to think of each opportunity as a means for THE opportunity. Filmmaking, especially independently, will always create challenges, but one of the things I love most about producing is finding the way, because there’s always a way to accomplish what you’re trying to get done. At this point in my journey, I am thankful for the starts, stops, and detours because each turn is taking me to the next step forward. I’m extremely proud of the work that I have been able to do thus far such as my film, Plant People and being a part of the immensely gifted team at Succotash Media.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my very first mentor, Mr. Dwight E. Woods for teaching me and making sure that I and hundreds of other children from Greenville, SC saw a world that went far beyond any limitations that we had. He’d always tell us, “At the moment of commitment, the universe conspires to assist you.”

Instagram: @TheLeadingLady

Twitter: @UrLeadingLady

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nakiadanielle2068

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