Daily Inspiration: Meet Mission Sales

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mission Sales.

Hi Mission, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a family of twelve, in a home where film was a shared language. We watched movies together constantly, and storytelling was always present. With parents who attended Spelman and Morehouse, I was raised with a deep appreciation for Black history, culture, and interior life—an upbringing that deeply shaped my love for Black stories and the importance of telling them with intention and pride.

My father gave me my first camera at nine—a Sony Handycam DCR-DVD610—and I immediately fell in love with the science of cinematography: how light, movement, and framing could shape emotion. As the oldest of twelve, my eleven siblings became my first cast and crew, and our home became my first set. That early blend of family, play, and craft laid the foundation for my work today.

I began filmmaking as a way to make sense of the world around me and to tell stories I rarely saw handled with care. Growing up, I became deeply aware of how Black stories—especially Black interior lives—were often flattened or misunderstood on screen. That awareness pushed me toward visual storytelling as both an artistic and restorative practice.

Over the past eight years, I’ve worked as a director, cinematographer, and editor, creating award-winning films that explore Black identity, faith, trauma, and love with honesty and care. My goal remains the same as when I first picked up a camera—to tell Black stories with depth, beauty, and humanity, and to help restore the Black image through cinema.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many filmmakers, I’ve had to navigate limited access to resources, funding, and opportunity—especially while telling stories that center Black interior lives rather than what’s traditionally seen as “marketable.” Wearing multiple hats as a director, cinematographer, and editor often came from necessity, not convenience.

There were also personal challenges—learning how to trust my voice, unlearn expectations placed on Black storytellers, and continue creating even when validation or visibility felt delayed. But those struggles sharpened my perspective, strengthened my craft, and clarified my purpose. Every obstacle reinforced why I do this work: to tell stories with honesty, care, and intention, even when the path isn’t easy.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At this stage in my career, I approach filmmaking with equal parts intention and joy. I love the collaborative nature of the work and care deeply about creating environments where people feel seen, comfortable, and excited to contribute. I bring a calm, grounded energy to projects, while still being playful and curious—because the best stories tend to come out when people feel safe enough to experiment and be honest.

What sets me apart is how much care I bring to the process. I don’t rush stories or people, and I’m deeply thoughtful about how narratives are shaped and shared. I’m known for being someone who listens, who leads with empathy, and who treats storytelling as both a craft and a responsibility—not just something to finish, but something to steward well.

I’m most proud of the body of work I’ve built over the past eight years, including award-winning films that have connected with audiences and sparked meaningful conversations. What matters most to me is creating stories that push back against stereotypes and make space for vulnerability, softness, and complexity in Black experiences.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck. I see every opportunity and every challenge as a blessing—or as something that wasn’t meant to be. My faith in the Lord Jesus shapes how I approach my work and life: I trust that the doors that open are intentional, and the ones that don’t are guiding me toward something better. That perspective keeps me focused, grateful, and committed to doing the work, knowing that the results are part of a bigger plan, not random chance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://missionimani.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mission.imani/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mission-sales/