Meet Antoinette Dormer Whitman | TV & Film Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Antoinette Dormer Whitman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Antoinette, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The first thought behind starting my production company, Divine & Align Media, was to create an agency that supports the needs of creatives that are like me. Holding space for BIPOC and Queer Storytellers to feel empowered to use their voice in full truth at their highest volume. My 2nd thought was to close the gap between my career and motherhood. I needed the ability to bring my daughter with me to set on or on a work trip. I need to be able to inspire the creative leader in her with a view from video village. Lastly, legacy and my divine purpose to lead.

What should our readers know about your business?

I run Divine & Align Media with my Co-founder Nanichi Oliva. What set us apart is our commitment to art and collaboration. We are very proud of not allowing the politics that exist within the entertainment industry to stray us away from our goals of creating healthy, inclusive, safe, and collaborative workspaces. We got to where we are today by remaining true, first to ourselves, second to each other and last to the divine timing and alignment. It’s definitely not easy. building a full-service production company and creative agency from the ground- we know we chose the long game. We’ve had to turn down projects that we helped developed because of divine time and things not being in alignment. We’ve overcome these challenges by using every opportunity we can to tighten up our business practices, create better boundaries, and scale back the amouunt of clients we take on. I believe the biggest lesson we learned was how to properly manage our time investment with our development clients. Our love for art had us decreasing our value, our time, and watering down our special sauce.

I want people to know that at Divine & Align Media we love development. We consider ourselves a full-service media company, which means we’re committed to taking all media from a thought, a working concept/idea to creation. We’re known for running positive, collaborative, and empowering sets. We are 100% committed to art and amplifying black/brown + Queer voices in storytelling. We take care of our cast AND our crews. After working with us our clients + collaborators see that what we do is on divine time so therefore, it’s all in alignment.. and about our story, we’re just getting started.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to host a good friend! They are for sure staying with me in West Midtown. I love my little area so our trip will start at home for me. I’m a big foody so food 1st.. walk to breakfast at West Egg, drinks at The Optimist, and dinner at Eight Sushi. Since I’m still new to the A, id definitely schedule some first for us both to experience together. First Fridays at The High Musem has been calling me so this trip would have to be planned around the first Friday of the month. A night out dancing at Rock Steady and of course Bonfire ATL. As for the outdoorsy girl that lives in me and my good friends, it’s Roswell mill waterfall and a picnic in Westside Reservoir Park.

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?

EVERY SINGLE WOMAN that’s ever held space in my life, thank you for loving on me and adding value to the woman I was growing into. A piece of your love lives in me and lifts me up every day in womanhood and motherhood. Thank you for choosing me and allowing me a safe space to blossom. Thank you Nanichi for being the best business partner I could’ve ever imagined, till the wheels fall off- then we fly to the moon, my love! Isis, thank you for allowing me to be your mom.

To the man that showed me what it means to bet on myself- it’s been up ever since thank you. Dad, thank you for always riding (after a stern talking to). Your love and unwavering support are EVERYTHING to me- I wouldn’t be here without you.

I’ve never had an official mentor, I’m looking for one though! Future Mentor, thank you in advance for the blessings and lessons that you will bring.

Website: https://www.divineandalign.com/

Instagram: @divineandaling_media | @bitchstayevolving

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinettedw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antoinette.dormer/

Other: https://vimeo.com/user149548763