Shortly after my film premiered in 2011, I signed with Samara Lectures. They have booked and coordinated my travel arrangements to festivals, campuses and conferences around the world. I’ve delivered keynotes, conducted workshops, facilitated discussions, and engaged audiences in post-screening Q&A’s. These speaking engagements culminated in my TEDxSeattle talk in November 2016 titled “Why the World Needs Your Story”.
CONFERENCES
TEDx Seattle 2016 (WA) – Delivered TEDx talk “Why the World Needs Your Story” at Seattle’s McCaw Hall.
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Annual Conference – Delivered closing keynote, reflecting on the power of personal storytelling to mobilize people, ignite dialogue, and contribute to the groundswell that leads to change.
Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference (IL) – Film screening & discussion, followed by a panel discussion on “Mixed Experiences on Screen.” Fellow panelists included Jeff Chiba Stearns (Mixed Match), Megumi Nishikura (Hafu), and Mixed Roots Stories keynote Zelie Asava.
National Disability Rights Network Conference (WA) – Closing Keynote about Using Video Storytelling to Amplify our Advocacy.
National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education (IN) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Critical Ethnic Studies Conference (IL)– Presented at the 2013 conference sponsored by The Institute For Research on Race and Public Policy at The University of Illinois, Chicago.
NW Credit Union Association’s 2019 MAXX Conference (WA) – Delivered keynote, “Tapping Our Potential – Engage the Power of Story,” offering insights on how leveraging storytelling could advance the Credit Union movement.
CAMPUS
Brown University (RI) – Keynote speaker of the Black Heritage Series. Examined my film journey through the lens of race, culture and identity.
Western Washington University – Featured speaker for Mixed Identity Student Organization (MISO) sponsored event.
Smith College, School of Social Work (MA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Bucknell University (PA)– Screening and panel discussion. Sponsored event of the Multicultural Student Services.
Wellesley College (MA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Dongduk Women’s University (South Korea) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
UC Davis (CA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion as part of the Asian American Association Film Festival.
California College of the Arts: “Documenting the Diaspora” – Joint screening and filmmaker discussion with author/speaker/teacher Faith Adiele.
Columbia University, Teachers College (NY) – Panelist in discussion about “Monetizing Independent Cinema,” sponsored by African Diaspora International Film Festival.
University of New England (ME) – Lecturer for Intercultural Competence Series, exploring concepts of cultural awareness, cultural humility, and collaboration across diverse groups including health professionals.
Marylhurst University (OR) – Screening and filmmaker discussion, followed by a keynote event as part of Homecoming Week. In partnership with Oregon Public Broadcasting and Lake Oswego Review.
Obafemi Awolowo University (Nigeria) – Screening and filmmaker discussion in Ife-Ife, sponsored by Africa World Doc Film Festival.
Spencer Museum of Art (KS) – Screening and filmmaker discussion at the University of Kansas, sponsored by Africa World Doc Film Festival.
Cleveland State University, School of Communication (OH) –Panelist alongside Ava Duvernay, Terence Nance, and Michael King addressing Filmmakers of the African Diaspora (in partnership w/Cleveland International Film Festival).
Old Dominion University (VA) – Keynote speaker for Relationship Violence Awareness Month.
UCLA – SANAA (Social Awareness Network for Activism through Art) – Screening followed by discussion facilitated by our summer intern, Kausar Mohammed.
University of Akron (OH) – Rethinking Race series. Screening and keynote exploring the complex intersection between race, identity, culture and home.
University of Evansville (IL) – Screening and filmmaker discussion, followed by guest lecture in Women and Gender Studies class talking about Exploring our Intersecting Identities.
DePaul University (IL), Mixed Race Art and Identity – Guest lecturer talking about using creativity to expand our understanding of who we are, where we come from and where we belong.
University of Washington, Multi-Media Storytelling (graduate level course) – Guest lecturer discussing documentary ethics, storytelling, marketing & distribution.
University of Arizona (Tucson) – Delivered keynote “Activism and Creative Expression” for Black History/Heritage Month
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (AL) – Screening and filmmaker discussion at the Carver Theater in Birmingham, sponsored by Africa World Documentary Festival.
University of West Indies (Barbados) – Screening and filmmaker discussion in Cave Hill, sponsored by Africa World Doc Film Festival.
Knox College (IL) – Featured speaker at event sponsored by the Center for Intercultural Life.
Oakton Community College (IL) – Featured speaker discussing the role of art in activism, and vice versa…
Richland Community College (IL) – Featured speaker reflecting on the story behind my film journey.
University of Washington, Grad level Multi-Media Storytelling Class – Guest lecturer discussing documentary ethics, storytelling, marketing & distribution.
Lincoln Land Community College (IL) – Screening followed by a keynote.
University of Redlands (CA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
California State University San Marcos – Screening and filmmaker discussion sponsored by Gender Equity Center and LGBTQA Pride Center.
University of Washington, Communication Leadership Program – Guest lecturer discussing my film journey, narrative structure and documentary ethics with graduate students.
Laney College (CA): “Documenting the Diaspora” – Joint screening event with author/speaker/teacher Faith Adiele.
Webster University (MO) – Keynote speaker at I-Fest 2016– One World, Many Stories,
The Film School (WA) – Filmmaker panelist discussing Ethical Storytelling.
Pacific University Leadership Conference (OR) – Conference keynote speaker.
Venango College (PA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Edmonds Community College, Brown Bag Lecture Series (WA) – Featured speaker at the Black Box Theater.
University of Washington, Asian American Media class – Guest lecturer exploring issues of mixed race identity, transnational media/culture and media activism.
Lewis & Clark Community College (IL) – Guest lecturer in Race & Gender classes, followed by screening & filmmaker discussion
St. Charles Community College (MO) – Keynote speaker for Black History Awareness Month, followed by screening & filmmaker discussion.
John Burroughs School (MO) – Screening & filmmaker discussion.
Shoreline Community College (WA) – Featured speaker addressing the interplay between art and activism, and how filmmaking can lead to a more integrated understanding of our place in this world.
Holton-Arms School (MD) – Keynote speaker.
Lake Washington Girls Middle School (WA) – Screening & filmmaker discussion.
Bush School (WA) – Guest lecturer on the power of storytelling.
Garfield High School (WA) – Artist panelist discussing “New Visions/Re-Framing the Story” as part of Garfield’s REAL TALK: Life Choices Beyond Careers program.
ORGANIZATIONS & NON-PROFITS
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Guest speaker on the power of personal storytelling followed by film screening & discussion.
NW Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse (WA) – Webinar panelist discussing Art & Cultural Work as a tactic toward building loving, equitable relationships and ending abuse.
API Chaya’s 18th Annual Candlelight Vigil “Breaking the Silence Through Art” (WA) – Featured speaker addressing the connection between art/storytelling and gendered violence & social justice activism.
Women In Film/Seattle (KCTS in WA) – Panelist discussing the lack of representation in the film industry, the causes of the imbalance and what the effects are. Fellow panelists include: Scilla Andreen, Sophia Gutierrez Perez, Kathy Hsieh, Roger Tang, Wes Kim, Brian McDonald, and Tracy Rector.
Seattle Documentary Association and Northwest Film Forum (WA) – Panelist for “Meet Up for a Cause: Filmmakers and Grassroots Groups”
KUOW RadioActive (WA) – Guest facilitator of youth media workshop for advanced producers on exploring identity through story.
Betties360 (OR) – Guest facilitator of workshop with teen girls exploring the power of personal storytelling.
Seattle Globalist (WA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Foot2Afrika and Moshi Youth Village (CA) – Fundraising screening at New Parkway Theater
Frauenkreise Projekt (Germany) – Screening and filmmaker discussion in Berlin.
Powerful Voices (WA) – Facilitated conversation with youth about Exploring Identity Through Storytelling.
Santa Clara County Domestic Violence Council Conference (CA) – Screening and Lecture at County Government Center
MuDa Africa (Tanzania) – Screening and filmmaker discussion at Slipway Theater.
Century Cineplex (Tanzania) – Benefit screening and filmmaker discussion.
St. Margaret’s Church (Tanzania) – Benefit film screening and filmmaker discussion.
MUSEUMS
Museum of African Diaspora (CA): “Documenting the Diaspora” – Screening & filmmaker discussion of two documentaries engaging Diaspora communities around issues of post-coloniality, mixed race identity, gender violence, national trauma, family legacies and single parenthood.
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience (WA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion as part of the War Baby/Love Child exhibit.
FESTIVALS
Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (WA) – Panelist discussing Issues for Emerging LGBTQ Filmmakers.
Independent Filmmaker Showcase (CA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
African Film Festival (NY) – Screening and filmmaker discussion at Maysles Cinema Institute.
Vancouver Asian Film Festival (Canada) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Rwanda Film Festival (Rwanda) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
New Orleans Loving Festival (LO) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
ACV National Festival Tour (NY) – Screening and filmmaker discussion at Queens Library. Project of Asian Cinevision and Asian American International Film Festival.
DisOrient Asian American Film Festival (OR) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
High Falls Film Festival (NY) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
SEEDArts Cinema: “Made In Seattle” Festival (WA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Cascade Festival of African Films (OR) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Seattle Asian American Film Festival at Wing Luke Museum (WA) – Screening followed by discussion panel with LeiLani Nishime and Wes Kim.
Red Rock Film Festival (UT) – Screening and filmmaker discussion at Zion Lodge.
Vancouver Asian Film Festival (Canada) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
LA Femme International Film Festival (CA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival (NY) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Asian American International Film Festival (NY) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Female Eye Film Festival (Canada) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival (CA) – Keynote speaker addressing the important connections between creative expression and strategically re-centering conversations around ethnicity, identity, accountability and justice.
McMenamins Mission Theatre (OR) – Screening and filmmaker discussion followed by a (rare!) intimate live performance by Pacific Northwest singer/songwriter and soundtrack composer Pete Droge. Film screening, followed by Q&A with filmmaking team.
Cleveland International Film Festival (OH) – Screening as part of the “Standing Up Competition.”
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival ~ now CAAMFest (CA) – Multiple screenings and filmmaker discussions.
Langston Hughes African American Film Festival (WA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
McMenamins Anderson School History Pub (WA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Sarasota Film Festival & Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival (FL) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
African Diaspora International Film Festival at the Schomburg Center (NY) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Kinowatt Film Series at Asian Arts Initiative (PA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Artisphere: Wednesday Film Series (VA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Filmwax Film Series (NY) – Screening and filmmaker discussion at The Fifth Estate.
Montreal International Black Film Festival (Canada) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
Seattle International Film Festival ~ World Premiere (WA) – Screening and filmmaker discussion.
