We had the good fortune of connecting with Summer J. Robinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Summer J., what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
The Universe confirmed that I was meant to pursue an artistic career when I traveled to Ethiopia and Ghana in 2014. I was 17 and it was the summer before my senior year in high school and it was my first international trip. I saw firsthand how influential Western media is in its ability to shape and influence people’s perceptions of themselves, other people, and other places. The things that I saw was neither reflective of information I learned in school nor of what I saw on the news or in TV/Film. I was already very much a writer at the time and was interested in pursuing a career in either journalism or screenwriting. When I went abroad I realized that I needed to do more than just write, I needed to direct. I needed to take advantage of television and film’s powerful impact to tell stories that empowers people and encourages them to think deeply. Art is a beautiful medium that serves many purposes, and I love documentaries, television, and film. I have chosen to pursue a creative career because I want to tell stories in a compelling and interesting way; stories that center the narratives of Black people and women within the diaspora. Stories that expand far beyond the “single story” narrative.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My production company, Silver Bangles Productions, LLC, is a storytelling agency that uses writing and film to enhance ideas, perspectives, and dreams. We specialize in the diverse and multifaceted narratives within Black and Brown communities throughout the diaspora. In addition to creating original content, we also offer video production and book publication services. We acknowledge the fact that everyone has a story to tell and their own unique way of telling it.
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.
I love being outside and it’s not a super unique location, but I love going to Piedmont Park. It’s a park I enjoy going to alone and staying for hours or meeting friends there to chill on a blanket and people watch. I would definitely have to take my friend to Piedmont, but either during the week or on Sunday, because it’s always way too many people there on Saturday. We would go early in the day, like 1pm. We would walk around and sit on a blanket and people watch, we would ride the city bike in the park and then on the belt line. Then we would go to one of my favorite restaurants, La Fonda, the one on Ponce, and of course we would have to sit in their upstairs outside section. Then we would go to Starlight for a drive-in movie. I keep things fairly simple for the most part, but this would be a nice, fun day for me, and hopefully my friend too :-).
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to acknowledge my family on both my mother and my father’s side. I was fortunate enough to be very much raised by a village as I’ve had many people pour into me from mentors to family friends and community members. However, it is my family that has blessed me, nurtured me, and guided me. I come from a family of creatives, from jewelry makers, to quilters, to authors, to musicians, to gardeners, to hustlers, and entrepreneurs. I’ve learned from observing them and listening them, and have gained the faith to follow my own intuition and path.
x
Website: https://www.silverbanglesproductions.com/
Instagram: summerjrobinson
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/summer-j-robinson-161068156/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/summerjrobinson
Image Credits
Alexis Parker of OTWVisuals