by
Cassandre
In the heart of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, New York, resides one of the coolest young women you’d ever meet. Asha Boston, comes off as warm and engaging as the springtime sun, but with impeccable style to boot. She stands at nearly 5 foot 9 inches, but her gregarious, and gentle personality is larger than life.
In the course of the few short years she’s been legal (she’s only 24), she’s developed a CV that can make us all think twice about how we do life! Doubling as an entrepreneur (who’s even owned and designed her own clothing line) with a journalist’s heart, she’s most proud of her recent project, turned movement, entitled, “The Dinner Table Documentary” dedicated to the informing the American public that black women are much more than the epithets and stereotypes they’ve heard and seen of them.
Since the inception of The Dinner Table, Asha has gained recognition from high profile brands, like L’Oreal and visionary journalists like Melissa Harris- Perry. Ms. Boston is dedicated to changing the landscape of media representation of black women and encouraging self-love in our community.
I recently linked up with Asha to pick her brain on everything from the source of her #blackgirlmagic, her favorite spots in NYC, and what it’s like to know that Soledad O’Brien knows her name. Through out all of it, Asha’s journey reminds us black girls that greatness has always been our birthright.
Can you tell us what The Dinner Table Film and movement about?
The Dinner Table provides healthy images of women of color through an engaging five part documentary series. We also offer workshops and live events that aim to inspire and empower junior high, high school and college aged students while providing media literacy and self-esteem building resources.
I know you’re a very creative person, but what was your point of inspiration for this project?
The Dinner Table Documentary is inspired by a lot of things, but mainly Essence Magazine, Sesame Street and reality television.
I was drawn to the subject of black women being multidimensional by way of an Essence Magazine film contest. I really wanted to enter and knew with a background in journalism, creating a documentary would be best. I wanted to create something entertaining but informative much like Sesame Street.
I wanted black women to see a programming filled with reflections of themselves that didn’t condemn their character but celebrated all of their tapped and untapped potential.
Although I missed the contest deadline, I ended up with a pretty powerful project that has not only changed the lives of others, but myself as well.
Can you tell me about the young women in your documentary? Why did you choose them?
The young women in the documentary are special simply because they live their authentic truth and succeed while doing so. It’s hard to find real-life role models that aren’t in “conventional” careers in mainstream media. We always see stories of doctors, lawyers, actors, singers and athletes but what about the story of the 20 year old that runs her own fashion blog that was featured in Teen Vogue? Or how about the 24-year- old journalist who won an Emmy or even about the 20-year- old Korean pop singer? Not enough people know those stories and I feel that it’s important to tell them. Then adding on the fact that these are the stories of young women of color (black girls at that), it’s even more exciting and necessary. The world needs to be exposed to films that feature women of color as multidimensional beings. Not only to inspire but to help dismantle stereotypes that attempt to jar us in and treat us as a monolith.
What were some of the biggest push backs you received when you started TheDinner Table movement?
Believe it or not the biggest pushbacks we’ve received have been in correlation to our conversation about representation. Everyone loves the concept but there are some people who want to see the conversations go a certain way (mainly where we trash reality tv personalities and specific shows) but as a conscious content creator that’s something I just won’t allow. Although the impacts of reality tv can be damaging, there are enough people capitalizing off of the pain of reality tv stars and I will not be one of them. The Dinner Table is all about providing healthy images and helping young women (or anyone really) believe they can live life at their fullest potential.
I don’t want to empower one group while tearing another down. I’ve found that the more we aim to curate conversations about being multidimensional and attain holistic wellness and success, the more we’ve been able to make an impact and resonate in our audiences hearts.
You’ve met some of the most relevant black journalists [as well as film/tv writers and directors] in the world- what would you say was your biggest take away from meeting some of them?
I’m always a little tickled when I see Melissa Harris Perry, Soledad O’Brien or Spike Lee on television or hear people reference the work of Doreen Spicer Dannelly (writer of The Proud Family) not solely because I met them, but because they know that I exist, that The Dinner Table exist, it’s surreal.
I’m always the most comforted when they give me feedback on my work and tell me that they love what I’m doing (minus Spike Lee, we haven’t had that deep of a convo…yet). The Dinner Table may not be a million dollar movement/production but more than anything it serves a purpose and it’s got heart and to hear that they appreciate it and declare the work we do important, it’s everything to me. I walk away from those conversations knowing that no matter how many accolades one may receive at the end of the day, nothings more important than working to make the world a better place.
If you could, how would you change the journey you took to complete this documentary and make this movement a reality?
To be honest, I wouldn’t change a thing. I think our slow climb from documentary to movement is truly what makes us unique. Although it would have been nice to storm into the industry with loads of support, I’m glad we started small because it has allowed a generation that’s used to seeing instant success through social media, see a movement rise from the ground up. It’s fascinating and a learning experience for all young entrepreneurs on the realities of success and patience.
Your girlfriend calls you up, she tells you she’s flying into New York and will be there for 36 hours and she wants you to be her personal tour guide. Where do you take her?
Well to start off her tour we can head to Manhattan and get as many tourist attractions out of the way in the 34 th -42 nd street area. After that I’ll probably take her to some cool spots in Brooklyn that aren’t as well known to tourist but great attraction in themselves. For dinner we’re definitely going to Lobster and Burger, if she’s vegetarian we can head to Shakeshack. I don’t know, I’m not really good at coming up with a plan of must see places in New York because I feel like the best experiences are the one you stumble into so if anything I hope she’s ready for an adventure!
What would you say is the source of your #blackgirlmagic?
I’d have to say my resilience. To me, #blackgirlmagic is all about your ability to get back up and be great after a tough fall.
Can you give any specific advice to artists activists like yourself who want to gain momentum for a movement they believe in?
Please remember that no matter how majestic your project is, mountains don’t move overnight. Everything takes time, preparation and a lot of patience. I’ve been working on this project for at least three years and even though we’re a little more recognized now, there’s still work to be done. Continue to believe in your dream, have faith; work hard and eventually everything will fall into place.
You have another documentary in the works, tell us about it.
Yes! The second Dinner Table documentary is on the way, which features the stories of Arnelle Nonon, an African-American Korean Pop singer and Ingrid Silva, a company dancer for the Dance Theatre of Harlem complimented by a table of young black women (from Brown’s United League of Black Women) sharing their honest truth about their black experience. It’s magical. We held a private premiere at L’Oreal’s headquarters on April 27 th for the young women NY Coalition of One Hundred Black Women Role Model Week and they loved it so hopefully everyone else will love it too!
Watch The Dinner Table Film here. Learn more about the movement and upcoming events here.
