A blog about making entrepreneurial, creative moves in the entertainment industry with takes on culture, race, gender, politics and society.
This blog will feature news, analysis, interviews, guest bloggers and commentary. It will also host serialized versions of novels and movie clips from its author Mildred Lewis and others.
Mildred writes and directs for theater, film, television and the web. Her plays and films have been seen around the world. She’s also a full-time film professor, Christian, activist, sister, daughter, friend, and troublemaker.
Onwards and upwards! (hat tip: Stephen E. Jackson)
Lifting As We Climb 
Hi Mildred – it was great to see you at the State of the Black Union. As you can see, I’ve been checking out your site. Is there a better email where I can reach you? Your photograph on the “ABOUT” link looks great! Would love to keep in touch and visit when I’m in L.A.
Are you the screenwriter of the movie, Unbowed? Even if you aren’t, I’m quite pleased I happened upon your website and your twitter.
Yes I am. Welcome to the blog. Cheers! Let me know what you’re up to.
Ms. Lewis, I must apologize in advance because I’m going into fangirl mode. I’m not sure you can imagine how touching and inspiring I found Unbowed to be as a woman of color. Cleola Banks as portrayed by Tembi Locke truly uplifted my spirit. I’m not accustomed to seeing a woman of color, especially a black woman, represented as strong, witty, intelligent and worthy of love and respect. Seeing Cleola wanted, desired and pursued meant so much to me.
Have you ever considered writing this story in novel form? Do you still have a copy of the screen play? I’m sure there were scenes missing from the movie. My favorite scenes place in the classroom.
I’m a African-American woman from Alabama who also has Cherokee and Lakota roots (sorry Henry Lewis Gates – my grandmother and a whole lot of folks in Bama and Nebraska are still alive). I live in Japan with my husband (Japanese/Ainu) and our family. He specializes in motivation and second language acquisition. My love is evolutionary psychology. In other words, we’re professors, bookworms and geeks.
Though I might feel foolish later for being a fangirl, I’m sending this through as is. I will continue reading this blog and I will support all of your future projects as best I can. I want/need to see more people like me on the big screen. I want/need to read our stories.
Thank you for your time.
Thanks so much for your kind words. They mean the world to you. I’m not a novelist – only plays, web series and screenplays. I’m actually working on another true story about a black woman gangster. I’ll share details soon.
Cheers to you and yours. I love Japan.
Hello again, Ms. Lewis.
Black woman gangster?! Wow! I can’t wait to hear all the details. Obviously, I’m not creative because I’ve never thought to put these three words together in one statement. Wow! Oh wow!
Have you already completed a webseries? If so, please point me in the right direction. I’m afraid I’m always behind in everything. Most days, Japan is like Mars… very far away from Earth.
If you ever drop by The Land of The Rising Sun again, please look me up. I won’t be hard to find up here in Snow Country. 😉
She was an interesting figure who used the media very skillfully when she was being mistreated by her fellow organized criminals both black and white. What intrigues me most is that she died of healthy old age.
I cannot wait to hear her complete story. It sounds almost too good to be true that she died of old age. I’m extremely curious about her back story and how she found the strength to navigate in what must have been a racist and sexist environment.
I’m very serious, Ms. Lewis, when I say that you’ve inspired me. I was sitting on the fence for a very long time and now I’m trying to reach deep inside myself and pull out something because if we don’t speak for ourselves and our history, no one else will.
Please call me Mildred. Sorry for the delay in responding. Between my ft professor gig and my business things are pretty swamped.
One reason that I want to do this story is because I think we desperately need stories where we win.
Mildred, you’ve inspired me so much that I decided to participate in the November Writing Month contest. I didn’t win though because I injured my shoulder and couldn’t type as much. I’ll try the screenwriting contest in April. I’ve never written one before but trying never hurt anybody.
I agree wholeheartedly that we need stories where WE WIN and this is why I’m determined to make my move! I’m aiming for a celebration of US as women and as a people.
When I return, I will most likely sign in under another name (Licia) and email address. Even when I can’t write, I’m reading everything you post. Thank you so much!!! You’re my role model!
Very sorry to hear about your shoulder. I’m hoping that you are better very soon.
Go for it. Crafts can be learned, mastered and deployed!
Hello Ms. Lewis…I’m happy I found your blog…and thankful that you found mine. I shall send you an email later.
Hi there. Please call me Mildred. Cheers on all the good work!