#Dear20SomethingChats w/ Ashley Norwood

Ashley is a ground breaking journalist that prides herself on telling stories through the eyes of the people. Her film "The Fly in the Buttermilk" has been featured in many film festivals across the US. She is a professor of journalism at Jackson State University, senior producer at MPB News, and the Director of Films at FG Media, her company. She is also one of my longtime friends. She walks to the table, gives me a cheerful hug and smile. We catch up and laugh as old girlfriends do. Toast to the things that are happening and the things to come with a glass of champagne and reflect on her journey...

AJ: Okay Ashley, how do define success in YOUR life?

AN: I just turned 26 right? I remember talking with some friends about the things that I have experienced and accomplished. Even though, to a lot of people it may seem as if I've accomplished so much and I'm so successful, I always say it like this: "As long as I'm living...I'm loading." I really feel like you never arrive at success. You get close to it, but you never really arrive. Success has so many unique definitions. Success may mean something different to me at 21 than at 25. It may mean something different when I'm single and when I'm in love. Success is transparent and its a goal. It's something I can always chase. But, by definition, its just being in a place that I can use my gifts to give back and build something that will last longer than me. I'm here to be educated but, to educate as well with the good news and the information that I have learned.

"We put these "qualifiers" on our lives and we don't even know who we are yet"

AJ: Did you see yourself where you are now 5 years ago? Where did you see yourself?

AN: (Laughs) 5 years ago, I would have been 21? Okay, I thought I would be married and a teacher. What's crazy about it, there's nothing wrong with being married at 26 or being a teacher, but that was all I knew. My mom is an educator, my aunts are educators, so its kinda like that's what they wanted me to be...by legacy. And then to be married...I was always so loyal in my last relationship. I was so in love with him and it was like, "I'll just be a teacher and wherever you go, I'll go because they need teachers everywhere." Then the relationship went down the drain. (laughs again) That's why I'm laughing because we put these qualifiers on our lives and we don't even know who we are yet. All in all, no I'm not where I thought would be 5 years ago but I don't regret it at all.

AJ: Okay, your film, The Fly in the Buttermilk, has been featured in many places. Did you expect it to have the impact that it has had? How do you handle it?

AN: No, when I produced the story...its crazy, because it started out as an actual story. I did all my research, I presented to my teacher, (in a class of 7) and I got an A. That was it. When I showed it to my mentor and she said, "You should really share this." I was like, "Hell nah, I'm not trying to do that" because it was something outside of my norm of story telling. It was something that was so racially conflicting that doesn't involve me but, then again it does involve me. "The Fly in the Buttermilk" is a story about black Greek letter organizations on predominantly white campuses and what their perception is in predominantly white spaces. I'm a greek from a HBCU and for me the perception is different. My mentor told me to just go for it. You have nothing to lose. I shared it on Facebook, it went HAM! So at that point, I was like let's keep feeding this fire and let's take it a step further. So, when I decided what my thesis would be for my Master's, I had no other choice but, to take it further. That's when I created the documentary. I presented it to my documentary council of four (white) people. Again, my mentor said, "Don't sleep on it. Go all the way! Put it in film festivals, make sure that educators know how important it is to their system and the students they serve." I did that. I never thought that the film would take off like it did! Just being a young girl from West Jackson, MS...I've been afforded the opportunities to travel places I never thought I would go. Hawaii?! What the hell?! We are used to Biloxi Beach, dirty Biloxi Beach post Katrina! Never would thought I would be sitting on the waters of Hawaii because my film is at the university in Hawaii! Or going to D.C. or going to New York!

"I never lose sight of the fact that He [God] chose me to tell this story. It was never my story to tell."

The first time my film went somewhere, was after I graduated with my Masters and went to Detroit. I was a hallway at the Motown museum and there was a guy, he was the janitor there, he looked at me and said, "God, told me about you." I was skeptical but I asked, "What did he tell you?!" He said, "You came a long way right?" I was thinking he meant literally coming from a long way. So I replied, "Yes, we did" He continued and said, "For a long time, you were trying to figure out what was your thing and you never knew. You always wanted to compare yourself to the legacy of your family. Now God has given you your thing, you need to take it and run with it. But, don't get so engulfed with it that you lose sight of Him. You're gonna need Him to reach the full capacity of what He has for you."

That I will never forget. So even though, I've been to all these places and the film is continuing to gain access to all the communities that need it, I never lose sight of the fact that He [God] chose me to tell this story. It was never my story to tell. I always want to be a student and servant of the story and continue to share it with everyone.

AJ: Wow! So, was there ever a time that you felt as if this was too much and you couldn't do it?

AN: To be honest, there never was one. While working on the film, I can't even tell you my sleeping habits. My diet was beer, coffee, and Hot Cheetos, just to make it through the night. (we both laugh) I needed that to just complete it. I'm the type of person, when I'm working on something, I can't stop until I reach a stopping point. After I graduated, I had job that was very supportive my project and were very understanding of where it was going. Things have slowed down a bit because I'm working in a number of journalism outlets. But, it had never gotten to a point where I felt overwhelmed. I kept in mind that I am a student of the work and I didn't approached it like I owned it. It has a mind of it's own. It's my baby so I just let it grow and nurtured it.

"I think a lot of times we don't do things because we don't think we have what we need to do it."

AJ: So what are your hobbies? How are they fulfilling?

AN: I like making wigs. It started when I went off to grad school and there wasn't a lot of people doing black hair. I was in the middle of transitioning (Hair) So, I was like, "What am I going to do with my hair?" So that's when I started making my own wigs and over the years I refined it to be something of need for myself to it being a service for women who needed it. I started working with different groups that work with women that have cancer or lupus making wigs for those women that have loss hair. I also enjoy painting and that's something new that I have picked up on this year. It's just a healthy outlet for me to put my creative thoughts in. I've always written but I wanted to try something new. Every time I sit in front of canvas, I like to meditate on a thought or a scripture and convey with the paint. It has become very therapeutic. I really into music. Music carries spirits so I'm very careful about what I listen to. I've recently started listening to jazz. I just love time to myself. Looking back and reflecting on how far I've come.

AJ: What are the 3 things that inspire you the most?

AN: 1. Protoypes.

Right now, black filmmakers are doing things that have never been done before. Getting these billion dollar budgets and tearing the box-office up in the first week! That inspires me because it takes somebody giving someone like me a chance so, that I can then have a chance. If it's never been done before, it takes someone to take a chance on you. Then they take that chance and you kill it?! It makes way for others to get that chance. I'm inspired by what a lot of black creatives are doing. Not just on a national level, but right here in our community. I'm more inspired by the people right next to me.

2. My Dad

I love that man, just because he, like my grandmother, has proven to take what you have and make the best with it. He always these two things: "You got too many options" When it's taking me forever to get dressed and "Handle your business". Life is just that simple. You don't need that many options, you definitely can work with what you have. So many people are concerned about repeating outfits, when we don't even repeat positive behavior, positive mentalities, or positive practices. Handle your business. "F*ck your phone, keep your head up" Like, handle your business. My parents both came from low-income families and were the first to go to college. Now, we get to continue that legacy. My main goal is to make them proud.

3. I'm a fan of myself.

Now, that I'm growing to know myself, I know that I can be a bad-ass. I just gotta believe it. I can't get in the way of it.

AJ: Last question, Finish this statement: "Dear 20-Something..."

AN: (pauses) Listen to your heart. I think a lot times we don't do things because we don't think we have what we need to do it. But, if we just listen to our heart and we believe in ourselves, we can be the change that we want. We can be the thing that doesn't exists. Just listen to your own heart. No one else's expectations. No one else's ideas for you. Do you. Listen to what is right here (points to heart) that's all that matters.

You can follow Ashley on IG: @ashleyfgnorwood