Meet Anastacia C.C. Davis | Filmmaker, Director, Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anastacia C.C. Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anastacia C.C., do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?

Ebb and flow. Understanding the concept that there will be high highs, low lows, and every emotion in between is key to withstanding the urge to give up. My expectations are a hybrid of optimism and realism. I hope for the best, quite frankly, I expect the best, but I make room in my expectations for error, setbacks, and delay. I believe people give up because their journey is taking longer than anticipated, the demands of their goals are more than what was estimated, and rejection has caused both their ego and drive to dissipate. I say never give up. You may pivot in a career, may reassess a dream, and even quit a day job for a daydream, but never give up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist. I am a storyteller. There are many ways I express myself creatively. I write, direct and edit films. I am a content creator. I share my travel adventures, beauty interests, and moments of Black Excellence on social media. I also model. I believe fashion, hair, nails, and makeup are also key ways of expressing oneself. My outward appearance tells a story and that narrative shifts depending on how I present myself at that moment – whether I choose to wear my natural hair in a large afro or wear a blue wig. What sets me apart in a world of artists is the fact that I have an insatiable desire to create. There is not one way I tell stories.

As a multi-hyphenate creative, I am most proud of the opportunities I’ve had to amplify the voice of people of color. In 2020 during the pandemic and protest, I hosted a zoom event with Hilary Swank, Erin Gruwell, the director and cast of the 2007 hit film Freedom Writers, politicians, student leaders, and over 200 viewers. We spoke about the Black Lives Matter movement, and how people can get involved and actively be anti-racist. We discussed how life imitates art and how films can act as a form of bibliotherapy during the darkest of times.

On July 25, 2020, I joined hundreds of thousands of people who were prompted to film their life in a day. In 2021 my footage premiered at Sundance as one of 325,000 entries hand selected from 192 countries featured in Youtube & Ridley Scott’s time-encapsulating documentary, Life in A Day (2021). Millions of people from around the world saw me perform a Black cultural ritual – use a toothbrush to “lay my edges” (style my baby hair). 

Next, I had the honor of representing my beloved alma mater, Alabama State University as the winner of the inaugural TBS #HBCUCashOutChallenge.  I wrote and directed the piece, Ode to Mother Dear – An Open Love Letter To My HBCU. My one-minute short film won the grand prize of $25,000. 

Afterward, I co-wrote and directed a short film trailer entitled Best For Last with my friends from undergrad and grad school. We represented our communities, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, IncAlabama State University, and Full Sail University as first place winners in the Netflix & Adobe The Great Untold competition.

How did you get to where you are today professionally?

I am still growing and trying to move the needle as a multi-hyphenate creative. I tapped into as many resources as I could to get where I am now. I was blessed to be in environments that fed my creativity. I went to high school in the inner city of East Chicago, IN and we had a steller concert choir program. My teacher and choir director Dr. Leon C. Kendrick kick-started my creative career in High School. I was constantly performing and more importantly, being reinforced with values that have benefited me in every arena of my life. Dr. Kendrick taught us the value of time, attention to detail, showmanship, eye contact, discipline, commitment, follow-through, precision, excellence, presentation, confidence and intention. My parents echoed every sentiment at home. They also instilled my love for GOD, family, community, and the Diaspora. That foundation has shaped me into the woman and creative I am today.

By no means was or is any of my journeys easy. I am constantly reevaluating my goals, as I get closer to marriage and creating a family, my priorities are shifting and I am trying to get a head start on family & work-life balance. It’s also hard to be rejected. I have applied to programs and heard nothing back, I have spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours on projects that have yet to see the silver screen. I have worked “industry jobs” and have not been paid. Regardless of the struggles I’ve endured, I am assured that it’s all building my emotional, mental, and physical muscles.

I overcome the challenges by looking both forward and behind. I have sat at the feet of Taraji P. Henson and listened to her share her story about trying to “make it”. I’ve listened to HBO’s Insecure star Yvonne Orji explain how she was on a Zoom call with Oprah Winfrey, with low funds in her bank account. I have witnessed the force that is Steve Harvey shares his story at my university graduation about struggling to be heard and ignoring the naysayers along the way. I surround my ears and mind with chilling, core-shaking success stories from creatives and thought leaders in my community. By looking back at the trajectory of their career, I feel as if I can move forward. I also look to the future. Someone is going to study my moves, the roadmap of my career. I want to be able to say I persevered, I continued onward and upwards. I don’t want my story to say – she stopped.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way are that the race is not given to the strong or the swift, but to those who endure to the very end, every opportunity is an opportunity for an opportunity. I’ve learned that although relationships can be transactional they should be rooted in meaningful connection. I’ve also learned that faith will take you so far. Sometimes you’re the only one who sees the vision. You have to believe in it, no matter how delusional, and irrational, far-fetched, and unrealistic it may seem. Dreams are only dreams until they become a reality!

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I want people to know I am a proud woman of God. I am a proud graduate of an HBCU -Alabama State University and Full Sail University. I want people to know I am the furthest thing from “self-made”. I am a woman with grit and determination rooted in community and creativity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

If my bestie was visiting Denver I’d first and foremost take them to eat at Snooze Restaurant for brunch and mimosas. We could explore downtown Denver and check out all the cute little shops the city has to offer. We’d grab dinner at Cooper Creek in Golden, CO. Lodging could go a million ways ranging from an Airbnb with a hot tub in the back to a cabin a couple of hours outside of the city or hotel up at the Denver Marriott West. We would go skiing and snowboarding for the first couple of days at Loveland Ski Area Colorado. We could eat lunch at Jack in the box in Wheat Ridge, CO. Our bodies will need some much-needed TLC so we could hop on over to the nearest and dearest hot springs for a morning or evening experience! I loved my experience at Dashing Thru The Snow in Fraiser, CO. We could go on a picturesque horse-drawn sleigh ride and end our afternoon at their marshmallow bar. We could grab dinner over at Kickapoo Tavern in River Run Village. The next day we could grab breakfast at First Watch in Ralston Plaza. Then we could head on over to Grand Adventures and gear up for a fun day of snowmobiling. Once again we’ll need to recover from the altitude and physical adventure so we can pop over to Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa. It’s so cozy and cute in there. The next day we could be “tourists” and head over to Union Station. My favorite store is Bloom by Anuschka. We can splurge on a SOLIS REX CLASSIC CANDLE. Their collection of Cire Trvdon candles is amazing. We could head over to the Denver Milk Market/Dairy Block, Larimer Square, and grab a bite at the American Elm Restaurant. Next, we would finish out our “tourist time” at the Meow Immersive Exhibit. Finally, the last couple of days could be spent amongst the best scenic views Colorado has to offer. We could take a train ride or drive the skyline drive. We could then check out Guanella Pass.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I have got to shout out the vast infrastructure in my life. The cities that raised me are East Chicago, IN, and Chicago, IL. I have to acknowledge my support system – my Fiancé, Larone L. Gilmore Jr., my parents Michael Davis and Valrie Kemp-Davis, my little sister, Tatiana “Lee-Londyn” Davis, my best friends, and my church home, The Cross Church in East Chicago, IN. My hometown holds my roots and has served as a strong foundation in my life while my alma maters Alabama State University and Full Sail University served as launching pads into the world and my career!

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9985976/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsstacia/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastaciadavis/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/its_stacia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anastacia.davis.14

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg93DIUfKRCE5UU2bX9O6ig

Other: https://vimeo.com/anastaciadavis

Image Credits
Anastacia C.C. Davis, Larone Gilmore Jr., Ray Savonne & Shane Valentine