Meet Ashanti Sumpter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashanti Sumpter.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After I graduated high school, I fell in love with film whether it was still or motion picture. The ability to tell a story visually was very satisfying to me so I saved up enough money babysitting and bought my first camera right before my sophomore year at Georgia State. Before that, I was capturing anything I could on my iPhone 8+. I began to study photography and videography in abundance and found that I didn’t like the way certain stories where being told or portrayed, specifically those of African Americans so I thought why not create a platform that would elevate our voices. At the beginning of 2020, I was doing videography for upcoming artist quite frequently so I merged the two somewhat by just reaching out to upcoming creatives that I already knew so they could tell their stories. I try to emphasis “why creatives create” and how it allows them to express themselves in hopes that those listening or viewing are encouraged to express themselves with a positive outlet as well.

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?
A struggle I’ve experienced along the way is that not everyone sees my vision for “Voices Of The Trenches”. I want to put nothing but authentic individuals on my platform. I want those watching to see there are ways to overcome trials and tribulations while keeping your own identity but I often run into creatives trying to portray an image for the industry. But what I probably struggle with the most though is that I’m currently doing everything on my own… networking, meeting/interviewing creatives, editing the interviews for YouTube, and managing the social media aspect of things all while being a full time student working part-time. For that reason alone, it takes a lot more time for me to get content out.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am aspiring film director currently majoring in Film and Media at Georgia State University. I’m mostly known for photography and videography. It was my way of doing what I love and making money on the side. I also saw it as a way to network so once I finally do start to shoot films, I’ll have an audience and individuals who would be interested in working on projects as well. I’m not really proud of anything I’ve done so far but I know I have accomplished some things and beat a few of the odds against me especially as a young black woman starting out behind the scenes in the music and film industry. I still have to establish my brand, grow my audience and put out a lot more content. I think what sets me apart from others though is my ambition and my desire to tell the story of other people. I want to tell my story as well but I feel as though amplifying someone’s voice so they can finally be heard is ultimately one the best things you can do especially in today’s time where if you’re not a “breadwinner” or don’t have “popularity” you’re immensely overlooked.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
A lesson I learned due to the Covid-19 Crisis is the importance of perseverance. I must keep working because even in the middle of a pandemic/lockdown everything is still expected of you, especially in America. It’s really crazy to me since everything our government deems as important is just something they socially constructed meanwhile millions of people are dying. I’ve been even more motivated by this to elevate our voices. Also, how the crisis is affecting the African American community is an important conversation to be had. It emphasizes our argument about the lack or healthcare and resources and the treatment we receive in hospitals.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voicesofthetrenches/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChuZti9FHW2Elo85fbPF1Vg