Meet Jermaine A. Davis

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

Hi Jermaine A., how do you think about risk?
When I think about the word risk, it’s always been defined as taking a chance at losing, being harmed or an injury. I don’t look at anything in my life as a risk. Instead I choose to be more intentional and see things as opportunities to learn, grow and gain experience. A lot of the things I’ve done in my life have either led me to a lesson or gained some experience which has propelled either my career or life experience forward. This has been extremely important for me because how else can I grow or know what I want/ need if I don’t allow myself the opportunity to experience the things that life has to offer.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an Independent Filmmaker and Storyteller. I like to use filmmaking as a tool to challenge societal norms while amplifying the voices of those that are often overshadowed. Growing up, I never really saw stories that I believe represented the broad span of Black males who look and identify as I do. It was a bit challenging to see myself in the stories that were presented. As a child, I would write plays at 7 years-old and often perform in school programs throughout my primary education. I planned to become an actor but after I discovered the production of filmmaking, my curiosity of the process grew and I became intrigued by what it took to make films. I began studying film, theater and production while in high school which I continued to explore during my early college career. College was a challenge for me because I wasn’t focused but I also just wanted to work in production to gain some experience and really see if this was what I wanted to pursue long term. Once I had my mind set on producing stories that represented Black communities, I made a commitment to myself to return to school and complete my Bachelors degree at 33 years-old. This was another challenge in itself because school looked different. I was a non-traditional student working and attending school both full-time. I was able to overcome these with the support of my community but also my own self discipline. I learned that nothing worth having ever comes easy but the lessons you learn along the way and the experience you gain will always be worth the ride. What I believe sets me apart from others is my passion for sharing and telling stories. I like to be engaging and share stories that truly reflect our community while getting an understanding of who we are through these stories. Historically, our stories have rarely been told by us and that representation and authenticity is what I strive for through my art as a filmmaker and storyteller.

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?
One of my favorite places to be in LA is Leimert Park. The rich history of the community has been there for years but has also been the background to some shows of my pre-teen years, spanning from Moesha to Girlfriends. These shows represented for Black people in Black neighborhoods across the country as there were so many things that reflected us, whether it be the problems we faced in high school to unpacking family issues that seemed taboo for us. The surrounding areas such as Baldwin Hills, Ladera Heights, West Adams, etc., would also serve as a part of the tour I’d give my friends. I’d love to dine at The Serving Spoon in Inglewood. Their comfort food always makes me think of Sunday dinners at my family house with laughter and community. We’d go for a hike at Baldwin Overlook so we could get some exercise in but also get a beautiful glimpse of the city from the top. For happy hour and dinner, we would dine at The Gathering Spot and then have a drink at Alta, both located in West Adams. During the course of the week, I’d indulge my guests in some yoga with Walk Good LA, exhibits at CAAM, some sightseeing downtown like the Kobe Bryant statue and a stroll on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well.

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?
There has been an entire community I lean on for support, especially within the past 9 years as I embarked on this journey. My grandmother and my sister are two of my biggest supports and inspirations. Throughout life, my grandmother has always instilled in me that my hard work plus my faith will always lead me where I need to be.. I’ve always been one that once I set my mind to something I hold myself accountable to seeing it through. My passion and hard work comes from my family, particularly the women, and have always been my greatest supporters. My sister is my personal therapist, through dark and light times. She is my go-to person when I’m brainstorming, whether a creative idea or helping me to navigate life. I’ve been able to learn great lessons through her eyes and she’s been able to teach me so much especially when it comes to being patient and having compassion and empathy for others. These two women have shown me what resilience looks like and continues to lift me even during those times when I’ve felt defeated.

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