Meet Yasmin Morris | Manager, Producer and include Ashley Cooper – Writer, Producer

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

Hi Yasmin, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
We conceived the idea for Black Creatives In Focus in the summer of 2022. Before it even had a name, the concept began as a smaller initiative—just a gathering of a few of our favorite Black women, whom we had grown close to during our careers as a writer and producer/manager in the film and television industry. As the strikes ended and the industry contraction hit us hard, impacting our main sources of income, we both felt a loss of confidence, inspiration, and hope. We realized we needed our community more than ever.

Driven by this need, we decided to expand the gathering, inviting nearly every Black female executive, independent producer, writer, and director in our contacts. We hosted a Roses & Rosé-themed picnic, completely self-funded, without any sponsors—just a dream to create a supportive community centered around the art we love and have dedicated most of our adult lives to. The turnout was incredible, and it reinforced that we weren’t alone in our need for a nurturing, non-judgmental space.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our art is rooted in storytelling, but Ashley and I approach it from different angles—Ashley as a writer and myself as a producer. What unites us is our shared commitment to telling authentic stories from historically marginalized perspectives. We believe that these narratives deserve to be seen and heard, and we’re both driven by a deep passion to bring them to life.

Throughout our careers, we’ve had our share of successes and losses. The film and television industry is filled with challenges, many of which are beyond our control. While our jobs are often seen as ‘cool’ and creative, there’s a misconception that they’re always fun. The reality is that the business side of things can be complex and frustrating, with constant puzzles to solve. But we’ve learned to celebrate the small victories—the lowercase ‘w’s—as much as the big ones. These moments of progress, no matter how small, keep us motivated and remind us why we love what we do.

The creation of Black Creatives In Focus marks the beginning of a new chapter for us. It’s more than just a project; it’s a movement that allows us to expand our roles beyond just being artists. We’ve discovered that we can be business owners, non-profit founders, and so much more. We don’t have to be limited by what we do to make money—we can create spaces and opportunities that reflect our values and passions.

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?
Day 1: Welcome to the City

– Morning: Start with brunch at Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles.
– Afternoon: Explore LACMA and the Urban Light installation.
– Evening: Head to Griffith Observatory for sunset and city views.

Day 2: Beach Day

– Morning: Breakfast at Great White in Venice, then enjoy Venice Beach.
– Afternoon: If we’re hungry, for lunch we can split a sandwich from All’ Antico Vinaio on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, followed by boutique shopping.
– Evening: Rooftop drinks at Elephante in Santa Monica.

Day 3: Movie and Drinks

– Morning: Brunch at Grand Central Market.
– Afternoon: Visit The Broad museum.
– Evening: Catch a classic film screening on 35mm or 70mm at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

Day 4: Culture and Chill

– Morning: Explore Leimert Park and visit Reparations Club, a bookstore curated by a Black woman.
– Afternoon: Lunch at Harun Coffee.
– Evening: Dinner at Dulan’s in Inglewood.

Day 5: Outdoor Adventure

– Morning: Hike at Runyon Canyon for city views.
– Afternoon: Lunch at The Henry in West Hollywood.
– Evening: Attend an outdoor movie screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Day 6: Arts and Eats

– Morning: Visit the Getty Center.
– Afternoon: Lunch at Sugarfish and a quick visit to the Academy Museum.
– Evening: Enjoy a live DJ set at Sound Nightclub for great house and EDM vibes.

Day 7: Farewell Tour

– Morning: Brunch at République.
– Afternoon: Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu and visit El Matador Beach.
– Evening: Dinner at Malibu Fish & Seafood for the freshest fish, fried or grilled to perfection.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our success is a reflection of the incredible community of Black women who have surrounded and supported us throughout our journey. I want to dedicate our shoutout to all the remarkable women who came out June 29th for our Roses & Rosé event and fully engaged with the community we’re building through Black Creatives In Focus. Their presence, energy, and willingness to share their experiences not only made the event special but also reaffirmed the importance of having a space where we can uplift and inspire each other.

This gathering was a powerful reminder that we are stronger together, and we are deeply grateful for the bonds we’ve forged. We’d also like to acknowledge the broader network of Black women in our industry who continuously show up for one another, proving that our collective success is something we create together.

And a heartfelt thank you to those who donated funds and time to help us make our first event such a smash! Your generosity and commitment were instrumental in bringing our vision to life, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Instagram: @blackcreativesinfocus, @yazfelice, @filmswhore

Image Credits
Donovan Woods, Adam Reforzo