Conversations with the Inspiring Kimberly Powell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Powell.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I didn’t identify as an artist until university. Although I was involved in a myriad of creative fields during my upbringing, I expected to be a lawyer, and then later, a journalist. My creative possibilities were unlocked when I met and encountered people who were making and living a creative life fully independent from the need of having a “day job.” As an art undeclared freshman in college (I got into the second choice program that I chose on a whim), I met artists and professors who presented a new reality to me. Specifically, I met some of the most impactful people during my time in Time Arts, a class solely based on the art of video. I then decided to walk away from journalism, and pursue this new-found interest in video art. In 2015, I graduated with my B.F.A. in video art. I currently work as a self-employed video artist, providing creative video direction to other artists (and clients at-large) in and out of the Atlanta area. I ultimately plan to own a creative gallery space for the working artist here in Atlanta.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not. After graduating with my B.F.A., I spent an additional yr. pursuing a theory certificate in sociology to further my theoretical studies, made plans to study communication in London, or pursue an MFA at my alma mater in video art. None of those things panned out both for logistic and personal reasons. I even went back to the idea of law school for a moment. I took the LSAT twice and everything. Nothing on my journey, however, feels ill-placed. Everything, though confusing at the time, has led me here, to be fully convinced that I am on the path I am meant to be, pursuing video to the farthest extent I possibly can. In the past few months, I have worked with people that I would have only dreamt of encountering. That tells me one, I’m on the right path, and two, my dreams are too small. Never underestimate the power of no, or the clarity that can come when you find out something is not meant for you. That’s also a point of celebration, because it promotes recalibration, and processing time to find your truer path. When I failed my second attempt at law school, I decided to focus on what was already in my hands, and that was video. I then took the time to clarify what was really possible for me in video. Notice, even though I studied it in college, I still had to find meaning for myself.

Processing and decompressing has been critical for me in my artistry. Thankfully, I have amazing people and other artists who help push me to live outside my head and my shortfalls, and to simply keep going. Get connected to a good circle of people, find your faith, and pursue your truest path with full conviction and sacrifice. You really can’t afford to half-ass anything concerning your work and thought life as an artist. Be honest with yourself, and strive for excellence. Excellence that comes from understanding your purpose, not just talent.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I love my work. I love video. I absolutely believe in the power of communication, and video is one of the most powerful tools we currently have to do so. This was a part of my initial conviction to study in the medium, and it’s a sentiment that has only been strengthened today. I primarily offer creative video direction first, then I set-up the cinematic feel and atmosphere (DOP), record it, edit it, and think about it’s a presentation to the public. I am currently a one-woman team. However, I see myself in the future getting to a place where I can be the creative video direction manager, and work along-side other talented cinematographers, grips (camera folk), and audio technicians, scorers, etc. I am not very interested in film (think traditional Hollywood or scripted content), which has traditionally been the space where the production value has had no limits. However, I believe the world of video is quickly (and already has) expended to more than just a one-person task.

Further, I find the beauty of truth and authenticity in all that I document. I always strive to capture video that peels back the layers of a person, topic, or place that would otherwise be unexposed. It’s important to be just as conscious about how we put things in the world, as it is to think about what we put in the world. I want to continue giving a visual language to things that feel unspoken, or haven’t yet been said.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Women have immense power to create change in their spaces of influence when they fully show up. We are often too apologetic and don’t occupy as much room as we can in spaces that need us to step up. Being upfront, and confident isn’t synonymous with being rude, but rather, it is understanding the value that you bring to a topic and space, removed from ego or a need for validation. By being fully present in spaces, we put ourselves in a position to provide true value. Our value isn’t based on being solely woman, or black, it’s based on being good.

Is the media crowded with leadership that looks the same? Absolutely. Am I interested in competing with them? Not necessarily. I think there is much space to create value in video, and to pour into myself and those around me, with the proper and right connections that will value my work and unique voice. I’m not necessarily interested in competing with a white man because I might not want their job, what I do need, however, is to add value. My goal is to be indispensable in the work that I do. If that means I take a position that would traditionally be occupied by someone else, I want it to be because I outperformed you, not because I am a woman or black.

Contact Info:

• Address: @powitskim
• Website: powitskim.com
• Email: powitskim@gmail.com
• Instagram: @powitskim
• Facebook: Powitskim by Kim e. Pow
• Twitter: @powitskim

Image Credit:
CRWN Magazine for Summit 21

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