We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Johnell Dickey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin Johnell, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am Erin Johnell Dickey, and I am from a small city called Albany, Georgia. I like to consider myself a “country” girl with big ambitions and dreams. I grew up in the 80s and 90s, and I must admit life has changed since I was a teen. I was raised by my parents along with both sets of grandparents. I am appreciative of my small background growing up in a small city and now being able to live in Metro Atlanta where dreams can come true. As a child I was a dreamer, and I still am today. I always wanted to have a career in entertainment, but life has a way of taking you on a journey with great detours. However, those detours have allowed me to grow, reimagine, redefine, and not give up. That’s something called resilience. I’ve realized that with the technology and resources we have today, many can accomplish their dreams. It just takes hard work and dedication. I realized that I truly am my grandmother’s wildest dreams, and I must not leave any dream unfulfilled because they didn’t have the resources that I have today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been in love with storytelling and writing. I am a writer, a photographer, and an independent film series maker. I love telling stories whether it is through podcast, photography, and videography, To me photography is storytelling as well as art. One can document a time piece in life that can be passed down for generations. I also love photography because I can make women feel confident. I love taking images of beauty, and we women are beautiful. I guess that is the motivator in me. I love motivating. In all, I just want to convey a time in life, or a story that needs to be told, and leave a positive imprint in life.

I wrote my first book Girl Talk 101: The Course in 2010. This book was written to encourage women to follow their dreams and never give up despite any set back or detour. Speaking of dreaming, I wrote and produced my first short series last year, November 2023. It’s called Prolific High School (PHS). It tells the story of both teachers and students and what they go through in and outside of the classroom. I have always wanted to write and direct. I am also a background actor and stand in. I have been on many different productions and every time I go on set, it’s a course for me. I get to study the actors, producers, production and crew. And, now I am walking in the producer/director role, and I love it. I have so many projects that I am writing and I can’t wait to tell these stories, along with continuing to tell the story of troubled teens in high school and the teachers who are the real superheroes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting the area there is so much we can do. We would go to Ponce City Market. I love this area! It’s where they have unique shops. great places to eat, and great entertainment. I would give my best friend a photoshoot while we were there. There are amazing concerts at City Winery so definitely one of the days we could go there. I love basketball so within that week we could go watch the Hawks play. And as a lover of art we could go to one of the events at the High Museum of Art. The High Museum always has amazing events. And for dinner one of those days we would have to go to Mary Mac’s Tea Room.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my group of independent filmmakers and artists. It is a team of individuals who make independent film making fun and exciting. Shout out to the cast of PHS, the Director of Photography Marcus Slayton who filmed my first project Prolific High School and Curstin Andrews for recommending the filming location and always being the biggest motivator.. I would also like to shout out Asha Helaire for helping me get my story told. I would also like to shout out my brother, Victor Dickey, who is on deployment serving this country.

Website: https://erinjohnelldickey.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinjohnelldickey/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/positiveprincesses?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@EJDPPOPMedia?si=CakKCG0A2Cd4UdCT

Image Credits
Single photography is done by myself, Erin Johnell Dickey/PPOPMedia. Classroom photography was done by Marcus Slayton.

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