Adara London shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Adara, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Honestly, this is a great question, something that I never thought of before. I’d like to think that I was walking the path that God laid out for me but I also think it’s human nature to wonder and walk off that path. Good thing God gives us choices and one of the choices is to always have the opportunity to get back on the path.
Right now I feel like I am wondering especially when it comes to my career. I find myself questioning what direction to take, exploring different possibilities, and trying to figure out where I truly belong. It’s a lot of prayer going on honestly. I suppose that’s part of the journey, finding clarity while navigating the uncertainty. Faith of a mustard seed, Y’know.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Adara London. I’m a screenwriter, poet, fiction writer, and educator. In high school, I was honored with a Scholastic Gold Key for my poetry, and as an adult, I’ve placed in several screenwriting competitions, including winning the Boston Screenplay Awards. During college, I participated in an exchange program in Seoul, South Korea, which broadened my perspective, personally and creatively.
Today, I’m proud to give back to my alma mater as a professor and an academic advisor, helping guide the next generation of writers and creatives. My work combines storytelling, mentorship, and a commitment to diverse voices, and I’m always exploring new projects that challenge me and inspire others.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
That quiet, people-pleasing phase. The one we all go through as women is the one that holds its tongue to keep the peace, to smooth edges, and to make others comfortable at YOUR own expense. For years, as a Black woman, this self protected me, guided me, and allowed me to navigate the world with care. But now, it feels like a weight I can no longer carry as it keeps me from fully stepping into who I am. It’s time to let it go. I implore you, if you haven’t already started to learn this lesson early: speak boldly, set boundaries without guilt, and embrace the freedom of living authentically, even if that means discomfort or disagreement.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Success can validate talent, but suffering forces growth!! As a writer, there have been times when rejection, self-doubt, or creative blocks felt heavy. Some moments made me question my purpose and made me want to give up. However, as an educator and mentor, I’ve witnessed how personal struggles shape empathy and understanding in ways accolades never do. Suffering taught me patience, resilience, and the courage to stay true, even when it feels vulnerable.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The entertainment industry has long sold the illusion of progress while maintaining the same gatekeeping structures that keep Black women on the margins. The biggest lie it tells itself is that it’s inclusive. When it still struggles to believe that a Black woman can lead, can sell, can redefine the mainstream. For decades, Hollywood has created a myth that success for us is rare, accidental, or only possible if we fit into narrow boxes. That belief seeps into hiring rooms, writers’ rooms, and even our own self-doubt. But the truth is, Black women have always been storytellers who shape culture, language, and emotion in ways that can’t be replicated. We don’t lack talent or drive; the industry lacks imagination. Every time I write, I’m challenging that lie by existing, by creating, and by insisting that our stories are worth telling.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would stop doubting myself. I’d stop waiting for validation and start walking like I already belong in every room I enter, because I do. As Black women, we’re often our own harshest critics. We hesitate to take up space, not because we lack the talent or vision, but because the world has conditioned us to believe we don’t belong. But we do. We always have. The real work now is unlearning that lie and moving boldly in our purpose, even when the world isn’t ready for it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: screenwriter_13
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adara-l-23b009117/
