WOMEN TO WATCH: JULIE MANRIQUEZ

Julie is a freelance marketing and creative writer, screenwriter, and producer. Julie currently works as associate producer for nonprofit, Amateur Films, LLC. As content contributor and writer for the company’s current documentary project — Spark: A Systemic Racism Story — Julie also oversees post-production marketing and outreach to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion leaders within corporations, organizations, and academia. Julie specializes in original content for diversity, health and wellness publications; technology and lifestyle brands; and she counsels high school seniors through the college application process.

How did you get involved with SPARK?

I became involved with SPARK very organically early on in the pandemic. I’ve always been an activist and social justice seeker, so I attended a handful of Black Lives Matter marches in June after the murder of George Floyd. Most of these were in urban areas, but there was one located in my neighborhood in La Jolla — a conservative, predominantly white suburb of San Diego — June 2020. Although our little slice of suburbia is more liberal than it was 20 years ago, I didn’t have high expectations. Our community turnout was surprising! The event was very well organized by students and activists outside of La Jolla and I think some of the speakers may have even changed some antiquated views in our older, white demographic. It was there that I ran into neighbors Tom and Mary Gegax. They invited me to a (socially distant :) gathering at their house to view photos from the march with some other activists and creatives from our community.

Tom threw out the idea of pulling together a team to tackle creating a documentary film as a quarantine project. I was instantly on board. As a writer, I was thrilled to have a meaningful project to work on during a very dark time. The idea of offering a resource that could possibly be used to educate others on becoming allies during a time of racial reckoning was energizing.

What do you want the viewers to get out of this film?

I want viewers to recognize it’s not enough to simply say you’re not a racist. Check yourself. Do more. Live an antiracist life as a committed ally. There is a huge difference between using the words “I am not a racist” and “I am an antiracist.” It involves unpacking unconscious bias, addressing our inner selves and our inner workings. We have to scrutinize how and why we’ve been taught the “history” that we have learned. From there we can begin the unlearning process.

What has it meant to you personally?

I learned so much more than I thought I would. I had a lot of work to do, and I still have a lot of work to do. I’m grateful for the opportunity to delve deeper.

How and when do you feel fulfillment?

In terms of SPARK, I feel fulfilled when I receive messages from viewers, whom I may have considered to be closed-minded, that are sparked to self-examine their biases and commit to doing the work.

What is something that surprised you as a result of working on SPARK?

When your eyes are open, possibilities are endless. As a result of this project, I’ve met so many wonderful people. The National Conflict Resolution Center’s A Path Forward Task Force reached out to me to join their team. Through SPARK, I’ve met local activists while volunteering and we’ve helped cross-promote our non-profit projects including San Diego’s Breakfast Block Mutual Aid (@breakfastblock_mutualaid) and Ride For Breonna (@rideforbreonna) to raise awareness of systemic racism’s role in societal failures and policing. It’s clear to me that people have an appetite for this kind of content and thus, the gifts that come from that interest in action steps toward change are endless.

What advice would you give someone like you that’s just starting and wants to make an impact?

Be open and be curious. Opportunities arise when you trust yourself to be present, mindful and accepting of every moment.

Where can the readers follow you?

Instagram - @julie_goes_ham Spark website - https://spark-doc.com/