Check Out Andrea Brewington’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Brewington.

Hi Andrea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am dedicated to living a bold, audacious, and generous life. A life of significance. One where I make a difference and help others. As I rise, I lift. As I get, I give. In my professional and personal life, I have been called a few names which at times I was offended by, an overachiever, the general, the exterminator and one which stuck and is even my IG name -Girl on Fire.

When I reflect back on my actions and work ethics, I can understand why I was described as such. I classify myself as a rebel on a mission, a goal crusher, and an activist.

I don’t follow status quo. I live by the golden rule and treat others the way I expect to be treated. I surround myself with gifted, genuine, and passionate souls. I believe with positive vibes we can chase our dreams and change the world together.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
After growing up in Jamaica and landing in this country at 16 years old, I quickly realized that some people however are very different. I found myself fighting against a system created to make you feel less than because of the color of your skin. The moment a teacher held me back after class to ask me how I made 100% on a test, I recognized I was being singled out because I was the only “black” kid in the class.

Coming from Jamaica, a huge melting pot of diverse nationalities, I just didn’t understand it. This made me insanely aware of people who use their power for evil versus good.

Over time, observing people and behaviors, especially in the workplace, I experienced and witnessed the devasting effects on human life that a toxic work system can contribute negatively to, especially women.

As a rebel and advocate, I empower women to pursue their passion with resilience, transform setbacks into comeback and continue to fight until their voices are heard.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I created my own IT Consulting business providing services to many Fortune 500 companies. I have been extremely satisfied over the last 20 years and had no desires in taking a traditional corporate full-time job again until I received what appeared to be a remarkable opportunity. Interested in the new opportunity and fueled with lofty ambition to hold an executive leadership role, the excitement about the position quickly dwindled after being reminded of the substantial pay disparities in the workplace. I also witnessed workplace injustices against women, particularly women of color, despite their experience, education or skills. It is with these experiences that I have been called to uplift and empower other women, to use their voice and to share their stories of injustices.

Ignited by my passion for the entertainment industry, big and small screens alike, I co-founded Aroha Studios to use film and television, powerful tools to shift perspectives, to help introduce society to worlds they never knew existed, turn strangers into people they recognize and shape new views and beliefs. Our goal is to bring awareness to blind spots and be a part of the movement to transform the world. We expect our stories to be a catalyst for change and lead to a path of healing.

We founded our business with one goal in mind: to use film to tell accounts of unheard voices and untold stories of social injustices and systems in place against women. Our first project from Aroha Studios, 61 cents is a limited series that explores the systems of male superiority in the corporate world, unattainable equal pay gap for white-collar women, and the irrational woman becoming bold.

We are proud to share 61 cents screenplay is a quarterfinalist in the 2nd Annual Diversity Springboard Screenwriting Contest on Stage 32, a social network for creative professionals who work in film, television and theater. We are in pitching mode to find the right platform to share our story.

Women of color have insights that haven’t been explored yet. We have unique voices that want to be heard and are hungry for content that represents us. We want to see women of color at every table.

Be on the lookout for stories for us by us. We welcome partnerships with like-minded creatives.

What were you like growing up?
I was born in Manhattan, New York but raised in Kingston, Jamaica by a Southeast Asian Indian father and an African descent mother. I have two brothers and a sister. Jamaica is historically known as a melting pot of nationalities where the motto is “Out of Many, One People.” I grew to accept people for who they were regardless of their background. Whether you were Indian, Chinese, Syrian, Lebanese, German, etc., you were considered Jamaican. My father was a banker, and my mother was a schoolteacher turned business owner. I attended the best schools in Kingston and took great pride in my schoolwork.

At the age of 16, I left Jamaica and moved to New Jersey with my aunt and uncle to obtain a college education. Upon arrival, I suffered from culture shock, realizing I was no longer in an upper-class melting pot of many nationalities represented under one Nation, but a part of a minority group called “Black” deemed by America solely because of the color of my skin. A pivotal life lesson my aunt and uncle instilled in me was that as a minority, you must work twice as hard to attain the same opportunities as the majority. This guidance fueled my matriculation through college after which I immediately found myself in the throes of the corporate America rat race, working towards great success.

Contact Info:

• Email: andrea.brewington@arohastudios.com
• Website: www.arohastudios.com
• Instagram: @aroha_studios
• Facebook: @arohastudiosllc

Image Credits:
Photographer: Corey Reese
Hairstylist: Olando Narcisse
Wardrobe Stylist: Olando Narcisse