Meet Dominique Draper | Director/Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dominique Draper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dominique, why did you pursue a creative career?
The arts and hustle have always been in my blood. Watching my father use his talents to elevate our family out of poverty was all the inspiration I ever needed. I just had to find my niche. Growing up surrounded by Hip-Hop and its vivid storytelling, I would close my eyes and watch the movie. Tupac Shakur, Ice Cube, and Scarface helped me explore my own creativity within my mind, and the stories naturally came to me. These MCs have taught me life lessons through their experiences, which have helped shape me into the man I am today. Media has always been, and will always be, an influence on children and the world, so it’s important to be mindful of what we digest. Before fully committing to film, I asked myself, “What is my purpose?” versus, “What is my talent?”. I discovered my purpose is to educate and help people, and film and media are my vehicles to do so.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My grandmother was the first person to put a camera in my hand. After graduating high school, my Old Man bought me my first film camera, and I went to work. From there, I built a buzz in indie filmmaking and continued to grow. I felt I had done all I could back home for the time being. With years of dedication and perseverance, I enrolled back into community college and then transferred to USC. It was a challenge, but a friend asked me, “How bad do you want it?” I couldn’t let anything get in my way. Crazy enough, I did not fully know what USC really was until I began to work my way around. Since being here, I have made lifelong connections and worked on some amazing projects.

My first semester, I directed a documentary about John Singleton and the making of ‘Boyz N The Hood,’ featuring some cast and crew and his lovely mother. The following semester, I wrote and directed my junior thesis about the life of Robert “Yummy” Sandifer. He was a child who faced inevitable defeat on the south side of Chicago in 1994. The film has won a Programmer’s Award at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival and Best Cinematography at the Trinity Film Fest. I enjoy making films that make you feel something. Even if it’s with a laugh or a tear, after watching a Dominique Draper film, you are going to walk away learning something and thinking, “How could I add joy to this world?”

Now, in my final year at USC, I’m gearing up for my senior thesis, and it’s going to be a good one. My producer and friend, Qingyi Song, and I have teamed up as producer and director for our final project at USC—a project and story that I am passionate about. “The Day You Find Your Name”, a story about Afeni Shakur.

I was inspired to write a story about a powerful Black woman who was part of the Black Panther Party after a trip with friends to Oakland, California. During the trip, we paid our respects to Oscar Grant at Fruitvale BART station and embarked on our own Black Panther tour. One house stood out—a beautiful blue house with images of women with large afros painted on the side, labeled “Women of the Black Panther Party.”

Sharing my excitement with the homeowner, I realized the significance of these women and their underrepresented contributions. My favorite artist, Tupac Shakur, drew inspiration from his mother, Afeni Shakur, a member of the “Panther 21.” Afeni’s story resonated deeply with me, and I felt compelled to bring it to the screen. Despite being a man, I am determined to honor Afeni’s legacy with the respect it deserves, collaborating with a talented Black female cinematographer and other BIPOC female crew members.

Our short film, “The Day You Find Your Name,” will be screened at USC in late fall. You can follow our journey on Instagram: @FindingAfeni. We are also looking for Black women cinematographers and other women/BIPOC crew members to join us in bringing this story to life.

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?
I’m from Houston, so our food is top-notch, but here in LA, I love everything in Inglewood!! The Academy Museum is also an amazing visit. But you know, it’s Cali baby, it’s lovely every day out here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a shoutout to my Pops, Tony Draper, Thank you for all you do! Thank all my friends and family in Houston and LA for always supporting my wild creative ambitions. Thank the University of Southern California – School of Cinematic Arts for their support and guidance.

Instagram: @DraperBoyMedia

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

Image Credits
Studio Photography: Ramon Lyons
B&W Photos: Jordan Randell