Meet Shakera Robinson | Creative Producer

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

Hi Shakera, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’ve always embraced taking risks, even when fear or anxiety creeps in. The biggest risk I’ve taken so far was moving to LA. In July 2019, I was selected for NBC’s Below the Line Initiative for Production Coordinators and landed a role on The Voice Season 18. Just two weeks after receiving the news, my sister passed away, and it felt like my entire world came crashing down.

I had a month to move across the country to a city I’d never been to. I seriously considered withdrawing from the program because I had never experienced such a loss, and the thought of leaving my family felt unbearable. On top of that, leaving behind New York, my best friends, and my boyfriend at the time felt overwhelming. But my mom reminded me how proud my sister was of me, encouraging me to keep chasing my dreams.

Adjusting to life in LA while grieving was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I’m grateful for the opportunities it opened up. Being in the right place at the right time helped me secure my next role after The Voice. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I moved back East and was able to work remotely for two years. Looking back, I’m proud to say the risk I took paid off!

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.
LA isn’t the easiest place to navigate, but I’m really proud of how I’ve found my way here. When I came back in May 2022, I was grateful for the six months I’d spent here before the pandemic—it gave me a bit of direction, and I didn’t feel as lost this time around. By the end of that year, I made a list of short-term goals I wanted to achieve over the next three years—things like finding community, getting into a fellowship, and producing a short film.

In early 2023, my friend Abby Guerra (Co-Founder of Goat Show LA) and I decided to host happy hours called Anti-Networking Hour. It was our way of bringing our favorite people together and creating space to meet new ones. We even came up with color-coded name tags for introverts and extroverts to help make conversations a little easier.

By the end of 2023, I couldn’t believe I was able to check off two major goals—I got into both the Women in Film Fellowship for the Executive track and Film Independent’s Project Involve Fellowship for the Creative Executive track. The Women in Film Fellowship offers mentorship from seasoned industry professionals, sharing insight and guidance to help me shape my career. Project Involve gave me the chance to meet and collaborate with other creatives to produce two short films. Both fellowships have opened doors to new relationships, knowledge, and experiences I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to curate trips based on the person visiting, but my only semi-rule is that we have at least one morning or afternoon spent in nature. I’d take them to places like Runyon Canyon, Griffith Park, the Hollywood Reservoir, or maybe Echo Park Lake for a more laid-back vibe.

The food scene is huge in LA, and my Google Maps is packed with spots. For breakfast, we might hit up Millie’s Café in Silverlake or Eat n’ Park in Burbank. For lunch, Alcove in Los Feliz is always a great choice. Dinner is my favorite part of the day, so narrowing it down is tough, but I’d probably suggest Ysabel, Bacari, Alimento, or Meet Me In Paris.

Depending on the day, we’d swing by Reparations Club, which is this amazing bookstore with such a cool aesthetic. For some chill time, we’d head to Will Rogers or Dockweiler Beach to relax in the sun. I’m a big fan of exploring art galleries, so we’d definitely check those out. For drinks, Vibrato Grill Jazz, Soho Warehouse or Holloway House are great spots. For live music, the Hollywood Bowl has been my favorite venue so far!

I like to mix up the trip so it feels fun, laid-back, and a little bit like an adventure.

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?
First, I have to shout myself out—something I don’t do often enough, haha. Growing up, I was obsessed with movies and music videos, dreaming about being nominated for an Oscar or an MTV VMA. I’d spend hours envisioning my future, imagining how I wanted it to look and feel. I went through different career phases, but my heart was always in the arts. While my path wasn’t always clear, my ambition and curiosity guided me forward.

Second, my family. Honestly, they deserve more than just a shoutout. I was raised with so much love and support, always encouraged to make my wildest dreams a reality. The sacrifices my immediate family made for my education and helping me navigate adulthood are things I will never take for granted. Since my sister passed, a piece of me will always be missing, but I know that with her and God watching over me, I’m always protected.

Website: https://vimeo.com/sjrob

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/sjrob/

Image Credits
Poolside photo – courtesy of Sad Girls Club
BTS/Production stills – photo courtesy of Jessica Haye and Clark Hsiao