Jermaine Sain takes you inside the opening night of the Women's Comedy Film Festival at 7 Stages Theatre in Atlanta.
This festival is a forum for filmmakers and producers to showcase work made by women or highlighting women through story and performance.

best film festivals - comedy - short films - indie film - submit your short film - jermaine sain - women's comedy film festival - film festivals 

By Jermaine Sain

Before I share my thoughts about pursuing your dreams, I want to briefly explain why I call my supporters and followers "SPEAKER".   It's really simple!  I believe that you have to first SPEAK what you want to do before you can make it happen.  I once heard someone say that when you SPEAK thoughts aloud, your ears will hear it which allows your heart to believe it. This is a concept I've continually tried to apply.  Many things that I've spoken outloud have happened.   I don't know if it's because I've continued to repeat them or if it's soley because I spoke it.  Also, I'm not saying that things have been exactly how I've spoken them or that everything I've spoken has happened.  However, I am saying that I've definitely seen links between what I've said and what's happened in my life.   
 In short, I call my supporters and followers "SPEAKERS" because I'm encouraging you to SPEAK into your life the things that you want, as I do the same.  I'm hoping that my words and personal journey will inspire you to become a follower of When We Speak TV (my dream) and encourage you to pursue your dreams​.

​The simpliest reason you should pursue your dream is because life is short and you don't know how much time you have on this earth but also it gives you a sense of purpose and direction.  When I first started When We Speak TV, my purpose was to meet singers and musicians in the Atlanta area and that was solely the driving force but, as I continued to meet people, I started to realize that it was pushing me outside of my comfort zone and challenging me to develop new skills that I never anticipated.  Through that process of development and growth, came fulfillment and meaningfulness to life. 
Pursuing a dream gives you something to strive for, something to look forward to.  Your journey can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for others in pursuit of their own dreams.

Why do so many of us put our dreams on hold?  I think the biggest reason is fear....fear of judgement, fear of the unknown, fear of failure, but that fear is totally normal.  I can't express to you how many times in a day that I'm fearful about something as it relates to When We Speak TV.  I'm fearful that we wont be accepted into certain arenas because we don't have a huge following.  I'm fearful that people won't like the content that we produce.   To be honest, the list would take up the entire article but I've had to learn not to let my fear dictate my decisions. 
When I think about overcoming fear, I specifically think about something that Jason Lee of Hollywood Unlocked said to me. I'm paraphasing but in so many words he said not to be afraid of the mistakes because the mistakes are part of the journey.
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​It's easy to doubt your abilities and question whether you're capable of achieving your goals. However, it's important to remember that self-doubt doesn't define who you are or what you're capable of. I've been challenging myself to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations.  When I want to talk about something negative, I challenge myself to end it on a positive.  That goes back to what I mentioned earlier, "when you SPEAK thoughts aloud, your ears will hear it which allows your heart to believe it".   

Although I believe that fear is the greatest obstacle when pursuing your dreams, I also believe that most people don't pursue their dreams because they are trying to do too much at one time.  I'm definitely guilty of that.  It's important to take on smaller tasks that get you to your overall goal.  
When I think of setting goals, I think about eating a cherry pie.  Why a cherry pie?  I don't know!!!
If you decide to eat a whole cherry pie, you don't start consuming it from the middle of the pie and you don't stuff the entire pie in your mouth.  Instead, you slice the pie into portions that you believe are consumable and you eat each slice separately, until you have ultimately eaten the entire pie.  

Just like cutting that cherry pie, break down your goals into smaller milestones and set actionable steps.  Some steps may be greater than others but at least you've laid out the plan which makes it easier to consume and easier to track your progress.
Don't forget about deadlines!  I know most of us don't like them but if you set a deadline for yourself to have something done, it may be easier to hold yourself accountable.  I don't know why that is but it just seems to be better. 
Be realistic and flexible with your deadlines so that it doesn't overwhelm you.  If you know that you can't have something done by tomorrow, then set the deadline for the following day or following week. 
Remember that the ultimate goal is to make your dream a reality, not to get burned out and overwhelmed in the process.

I will be the first to tell you that it can be difficult to stay positive when you feel that your dream is not successful but a positive mindset is essential to pursuing your dreams.  Focus on the endless possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead, rather than dwelling on the road blocks.  
When I first started When We Speak TV, there was a statement that I would say regularly that I now know was essential to my success.  I need to incorporate it more....I call it a "You Never Know" mindset. I call it this because I noticed a few years ago that I would open my mind up to possiblities by saying "You Never Know where this could lead" or "You Never Know, this may allow me to meet other people" or "You Never Know, maybe this is the video that will go viral".
Those are just examples but I hope you get what I'm saying.  Having a "You Never Know" mindset kept me excited about the possibility that what I was doing may open up a new opportunity in the future.  Staying motivated throughout your journey can be challenging, especially when faced with setbacks or obstacles. Find what motivates you and use it as fuel to keep going. It could be a vision board that reminds you of your goals, a playlist of motivational songs, or regular check-ins with an accountability partner.

​Something else that has been beneficial in maintaining my "You Never Know" mindset has been celebrating my wins.  Its easy to forget how far you've come when you are only focused on where you're going.  It's important that you celebrate your progress along the way.  No matter how small.   
That doesn't mean that you have to throw a party everytime you succeed at something.  Sometimes that may only be that you take a moment to look back at how far you've come.  A personal practice of mine is, I like to go back and watch some of my previous episodes and I remember the struggles that I overcame.  It also ignites me to remember the obstacles that I've already tackled. 

​I hope this small article has encouraged you to pursue your dream.  No matter what that dream is.  I truly believe that the pursuit of your dream is a journey worth taking. It requires what one of my favorite artists would say, "Strengh, Courage, and Wisdom".  That's India Arie, in case you don't know.
Take it one slice at a time and maintain a "You Never Know" mindset and it will help you immensely along your journey.  Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination.
So, SPEAKER, it's time to pursue your dreams. SPEAK them outloud, hear the words you SPEAK, believe what you SPEAK, and take that first step. The world is waiting for you to make it happen.
What Do You SPEAK?

If this article has inspired you in any way, I would like to encourage you to share it with your friends or someone that you feel would be inspired by it and also follow When We Speak TV on social media. 
​We can't wait to SPEAK with you!!!

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​Atlanta Black Pride Weekend is an annual event that brings together members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies, and influencers from diverse backgrounds to celebrate love, diversity, and empowerment.
​As part of this empowering weekend, an influencer dinner was held, acting as a platform to unite and uplift those who have made a significant impact within the LGBTQ+ community.

The 2023 honorees include: EJ King, Saucy Santana, Simone Tisci, Dedrick Tillerson, Earl D. Fowlkes Jr., Tori Cooper, Derek J, Officer King, Dr. Alie Redd, Michael Jonvier, David Graves, Gocha Hawkins and Reggie Thomas.

During Bounce TV's red carpet premiere of Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black and White, Jermaine Sain speaks with guests such as Ambassador Andrew Young, Louis Gossett Jr, Mahdi Cocci, Timon Kyle Durrett, Jonathan Slocumb, and more about Xernona Clayton's influence in their lives.

​Xernona Clayton, an extraordinary woman who has impacted our country so respectfully and quietly that many aren’t aware of her enormous contributions. 
Her incredible career became the first Black woman in the South to have her own TV show, helped write the blueprint to desegregate hospitals in the South and even convinced a KKK Grand Dragon to renounce his position as well as the organization.

We hope that someday, in some way, this interview with Jacky Oh, comforts her family, particularly her partner DC Young Fly and her 3 children as they move throughout life without her.  

The 2023 Black Music Honors was a night of mesmerizing fashions and jaw dropping musical tributes.  
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Co-hosted by LeToya Luckett and DeRay Davis, the 8th annual Black Music Honors, celebrated Missy Elliott, SWV, Evelyn Champagne King, Jeffrey Osborne, and The Hawkins Family for their contributions to the American music landscape.

​The late Bobby Caldwell was also given a heartfelt tribute, commemorating his remarkable 25-year career.

The stage came alive with unforgettable tribute performances by an array of extraordinary artists.
 Anthony Hamilton feat. The Ton3s
LaTocha Scott of Xscape
Queen Naija
Elle Varner
Sheléa
Tina Campbell
Beverly Crawford
Kelontae Gavin
Zacardi Cortez
Raheem DeVaughn
Kenny Lattimore
Robin Thicke
Tweet
Nicole Wray
Lil' Mo
Sevyn Streeter
Da Brat
AND MANY MORE!!!

The night was a testament to the immense talent within the Black music community.

The 8th Annual Black Music Honors, proudly presented by Procter and Gamble, is made possible with the generous support of sponsors such as AT&T, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, State Farm, Verizon, and Walmart.
The show, executive produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as producer and executive in charge of production, and Michael A. Johnson as producer and director, promises to be a captivating tribute to the timeless impact of Black music.

Tamar Braxton 
     Anthony Hamilton feat. The Ton3s 
     Tina Campbell of Mary Mary
     Robin Thicke
     Lil’ Mo
     Kenny Lattimore
     Raheem DeVaughn
     Dave Hollister 
     Elle Varner
     Sevyn Streeter
     Tweet
     Beverly Crawford
     Le’Andria Johnson
     Zacardi Cortez
     Latocha Scott
     Melvin Williams
     The Shindellas
     Juvenile
     Kelontae Gavin
     Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling

​For more information about Black Music Honors, visit blackmusichonors.com or connect on social media @blackmusichonors on Facebook and Instagram or @blackmusichonor on Twitter. 

​Actor Brian Jordan Jr (Tyler Perry's Sistas) shares with Jermaine Sain (When We Speak TV) about the first time he saw himself represented on television.

Many of you recognize Brian Jordan Jr from his role as Maurice on Tyler Perry's Sistas but did you also know that Brian is a director and choreographer?
Brian Jordan, Jr. will direct and choreograph a new production of The Wiz for Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company, scheduled to open in June. 
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For more information go to:
​Sistas Star Brian Jordan Jr. Will Direct and Choreograph The Wiz at Atlanta's True Colors Theatre Company