Meet Sedrick Lakpa | Writer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sedrick23 Lakpa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sedrick, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process was rooted in a emotional response of feeling like the history of black Atlanta outside of MLK Jr. was being erased through gentrification and new developments throughout the city. The marketed rebranding of neighborhoods and influx of new residents has fueled the creation of my business.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 most proud of my perspective and identity as being born in Atlanta and being a Grady baby. I am in the cradle of such a rich history that excites me when I get share that culture with others who have the same experience or newcomers who are curious about Atlanta. I have been working in the film industry for about 13 years and have made amazing friends along way who I have learned alot from while working. It was not easy when I first started because the industry was so small here and I didn’t know anyone in the industry. I made cold calls to people to inform them I had just graduated from college and I was looking to gain some experience. The economic climate at the time was also volatile in 2007 at the height of the recession. I cut my teeth on some projects where there was no pay available for someone without experience. After looking back I learned that I should not be afraid to ask questions about something I am not familiar with. Because I wanted feel competent without asking for help. That did not always end well. United Storytellers is a brand that values community in the professional environment. It is that connection through our individual stories that serves as a foundation to our talents and enriches our work together.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For breakfast we would hit up Le Petit Marche,or Home Grown or Flying Biscuit For lunch we would hang out in East Atlanta because there are too many spots to eat to choose one. We Suki Suki; Global Grub Collective would give the opportunity to try alot in one place. We could then bounce around for drinks and at Wrecking bar, Bookhouse, Noni’s OR get FANCY and go to Buckhead or Midtown for a hotel bar. We would have to visit the King center, the Atlanta History Center, Civil Rights Museum, and catch a view of all the cool murals along the way. Weekend touring would include the Ponce City Market, Tiny Lou’s and Claremont lounge followed on Sunday by Busy Bee or Paschal’s. All of these plans would be dependent on if there is festival or festivals going on in the city is usual for the city that loves to double book exciting events making you choose where plan to have your fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank my mom Princess Venn, who raised me, my wife Ivelisse, my producer Njeri Goodwin, my friend and director of photography Schenley Sargusingh, Dr. Candy Tate, Dr. Calinda Lee, Victoria Lemons of the podcast Archive Atlanta, Atlanta Influences Everything, and the Russell Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for inspiring me, believing in me, and supporting me along this journey of bringing Atlanta History to life through film and storytelling.

Instagram: @unitedstorytellers

Linkedin: Sedrick Lakpa