This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to cover the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, one of the true highlights of my summer and a deeply enriching experience, both professionally and personally. As a student journalist representing
The Spelman Blueprint as Co-Editor-in-Chief, I attended various film screenings, engaged with festival programming behind the scenes, and conducted interviews with key figures in media and film as part of our extended coverage of the Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs Collection and more. I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to peek behind the scenes of a film festival and observe how Public Relations professionals coordinated press coverage. All in all, the festival was a beautiful convergence of Black professionals who approach storytelling from so many different angles—from portrait photographers to moderators to production assistants. It was inspiring to witness the collective effort that went into bringing such a vibrant and meaningful event to life. The festival was sponsored by
The Cut, a subsidiary of
New York Magazine, led by Editor-in-Chief Lindsay Peoples. A Wisconsin native, Peoples has steered
The Cut with both thoughtful editorial strategy and a forward-thinking approach to strategic partnerships. This was on full display throughout the festival and served as a powerful example of how she leads with intention, prioritizing Black storytelling across multiple platforms. Watching Lindsay moderate a discussion with Tracee Ellis Ross was a particular highlight, an insightful and dynamic conversation made me think about travel and loneliness in new ways. Overall, covering the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival was a formative experience that deepened my passion for storytelling and cultural curation. I left feeling both inspired and affirmed in my pursuit of creating space for Black stories to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
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