Meet Kenya Hendricks | Screenwriter/Director

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

Hi Kenya, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
For me being creative is like breathing air. Writing feeds my spirit and allows me to connect with people. There is music and color and this indescribable peace that I feel when I’m able to write. From poetry as a child to writing and singing as a teenager, it’s always been something creative. Now as an adult I get to combine all the things I’ve loved in life into my filmmaking.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a filmmaker by passion, purpose and pleasure. I love everything about storytelling and creating conversations and exploring emotions. My directing style is very hands on. I love to make it personal and real as possible for the audience, while using my special approach to bring out the best in my cast.

I’ve had my share of ups and downs trying to reach a certain level of success in my filming journey but I still celebrate how far I have come and all the things I’ve learned about myself and the industry. I’ve mentally quit a hundred times but the people I have been blessed to work with on and off set shower me with encouragement and reasons to keep going. I’ve learned that what I do and who I am matters and that I have a creative voice that the world needs to hear.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Everyone knows I’m a homebody. I come from a family who loves cookouts and card games. At this stage in my life, I do enjoy outings with the family and friends. We may meet for bowling sometimes but I’m simple, I like to cook and enjoy a glass of wine at home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have had many influential people along my journey that if not for them I would not have learned what I know now. I definitely need to shout out my family. My husband, Phil who is not only my partner and best friend but he is an amazing DP/editor and I am so blessed to work beside him in love and in life. My daughters, Kennedy and Phalen who get to see me do what I love and my mother Debra who is my heavenly cheerleader. My mentor Chuck Brown, Mona, my Aunt Traci. Kaila and Tink.

Instagram: Mraldchyld

Facebook: Kenya Hendricks

Image Credits
images by The Photo Shop
Nina Yong
Mona Bennett Johnson