Ava DuVernay

By Sophia Seraile Yam

Ava DuVernay is a famous Black female screenwriter, director, filmmaker, and producer. She has made waves in the film industry, she is highly nominated and has won numerous awards for her work. DuVernay was born in Long Beach, California, grew up in Lynwood, CA, and was raised by her mother and stepfather with four siblings. DuVernay’s Aunt Denise inspired her love for art, literature, and theater, and even worked a second job so DuVernay could pursue her passion. DuVernay says that every summer her family would spend time in Lowndes County, Alabama, where she would witness the historic civil rights movement. In fact, her time in Alabama directly inspired her to direct the blockbuster, Selma. She went to the University of California as a double BA major in English literature and African-American studies. DuVernay is also an honorary member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Colin in Black and White, a popular Netflix tv series was directed and produced by DuVernay. It follows the exploration of NFL star Colin Kapernick’s high school years and the experiences that led him to become an activist. This show emphasises on Colin’s struggle to become both the athlete and man he wants to embody. Young Colin is a African-American boy being raised by white adopted parents in California, where he experiences racism on a daily. This show is an eye-opener for people to understand the male teenage Black experience during the mid 90s and early 2000s. Ava DuVernay’s storytelling in this series is powerful yet subtle, and incorporates racism from the past to explain present-day issues.

DuVernay’s works range from biographies to lighter topics, such as Disney. She also directed A Wrinkle in Time, a Disney movie based off of the book by Madeleine D’Engle. The story goes, after the disappearance of her science father, three celestial beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend through space and time in order to find him. DuVernay’s artistic side shines through in this movie. The way she uses nature to create a unique world is breathtaking.