Hi! My name is Shenequa, and I’m a writer, editor, producer and author. My first book, a collection of essays, is titled ‘A Black Girl in the Middle: Essays on (Allegedly) Figuring It All Out’ (Beacon Press) is about the ups and downs of being a Black girl coming of age in Queens, New York.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

I’m most looking forward to all the creativity, and honestly, how much I’ll learn from all the amazing work.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

I was the assistant to the chief content officer at Interactive One and it taught me the importance of getting your foot in the door even if that door isn’t the EXACT door you imagined. Just get in!

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

My book. A Black Girl in the Middle: Essays on (Allegedly) Figuring It All Out.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

My gig is super-fast paced. Everything is due yesterday, so keeping up with all the deadlines is the most challenging.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

The ability to hold the viewers hand while demanding that the same viewer think at a level they never thought at before.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

I do a lot of writing (which I love) and brainstorming about how to tell a story in a new and exciting way.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Writing a book was the biggest test of endurance I have ever embarked on. It took four years and it came out in 2024, so now, I’m chillin but, I’m flirting with the idea of getting my doctorate in masculinity/toxic masculinity and how the latter must be destroyed before it destroys all of us. (Like I said, I’m flirting with this idea.)

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

I believe in rest. I believe in taking walks and I believe in minding my business. I know that sounds a bit wild, but those three things have helped me think more clearly, and clarity is the cousin of creativity. So, that’s what I do. I also believe in books. I read as much as I can because that’s where a lot of magic is found.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

Reading books is the bees-knees. Mommy was super-protective of me as a kid (she had me when she was 16) so she didn’t give me a lot of leeway. So, in order to “to go outside” or “travel” I read books. Books allowed me to not leave my porch in Queens and yet I was able to still travel to these far-off destinations while reading. Eventually, I picked up a pen thinking I could mimic what I read. I thought my writing was all “cool” and “edgy” when really is filled with typos and no real direction, but I kept at it. Eventually, reading and writing became a part of me and I figured I didn’t want to do anything else so let’s see if I can make this writing thing, shake! It took some years. I had to work retail to stay afloat and those retail days were NOT it, but I did it! I “made” it.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

I’m quite tired of the “complex” character and I would like to bring back someone who doesn’t feel the need to dabble in unethical behaviors in order to move the story along. There seems to be an over abundance of “complicated” characters and not enough “good” characters. Bring Back The Good!