Transcript

Filmmaker Info
Producer, Writer & Editor: Daphne Valerius
Supervising Producers: Janet Kolodzy & Melinda Robins
Original Music Provided by: Marcos Morales
Principal Photography: Claudia Saimbert
Additional Graphics: Casey Quinn, Tim MacArthur & Allison Lamb
Audio/Mix & Re-recording: Katerina Dejkoska

Daphne Valerius
Meet Daphne Valerius, one to watch as the era of women of color redefining the landscape of media images –in front and behind the camera—begins to unfold. A native of Rhode Island by way of Brooklyn, New York —Host, Producer and Entrepreneur Daphne Valerius has journeyed into the successful pursuit of redefining the landscape of media images with an array of talent that navigates her both in front and behind the camera. Valerius’ passion for the media industry began during her undergraduate studies at St. John’s University. She went on to complete her Masters in Broadcast Journalism at Emerson College, where she received the esteemed Associated Press Award for Public Affairs and produced her award-winning documentary, The Souls of Black Girls.

Among other achievements, the success of The Souls of Black Girls has garnered Valerius the support of the late Dr. Dorothy Height, the Mira Nair Award for Rising Female Filmmaker from the Harlem Int'l Film Festival and being named among the Best Black Documentary Directors of 2008. Notably, Valerius was featured as a panelist of Procter & Gamble's 2009 national "My Black is Beautiful" Tour where her documentary, The Souls of Black Girls was used as a centerpiece for discussion. Most recently Valerius was an invited guest of First Lady Michelle Obama to the White House as a result of her work.

With profound commitment to her craft, Valerius sets out to influence, inspire, uplift and serve women and girls through positive, educational television, film and fashion projects. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Valerius remains an active community leader while traveling throughout the country to promote the messages conveyed in her film. Her television production credits include work for networks such as ABC, FOX and BET. She is currently working on her upcoming television pilot called The Block and the sequel to her documentary, The Souls of Black Girls, Too.