Last Monday at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF)–we did that!
Moderating “No Filter, No Apology: Black & Queer in Hollywood” wasn’t just a conversation—it was a reckoning. A room full of Black queer creatives, industry insiders, and truth-tellers came together, not to beg for a seat at the table, but to burn the damn table down and build something better.
Because let’s be real—Hollywood loves diversity when it’s convenient. It loves a storyline that feels “brave” but not too disruptive, a character that’s queer but not too Black, or Black but not too queer. And as we talked, laughed, dragged the industry (with love, of course), and laid out the realities of being both Black and queer in this business, one thing was clear: we are done playing small.
Entertainment law attorney Yemi Adegbonmire.
Actress Jazzmun Nichola Crayton, stylist Dwen Curry, and entertainer Jamaica JaToi.
Writer and producer Cameron Johnson.
The Industry Wants Our Talent—But Can It Handle Our Truth?
Let’s talk about that. Flame Monroe, ever the unfiltered force of nature, reminded us that visibility comes with a price—but the real gag is that we’ve been paying it, and Hollywood is still late on the invoice. Jazzmun Crayton brought the receipts on how trans and nonbinary representation remains a fight, even when the talent is undeniable. Greg Mathis Jr. spoke about navigating the industry as a newcomer, balancing the pressure of carving out his own space while staying true to his community. Because for him, it’s not just about breaking in—it’s about making sure the door stays open for others.
Jamaica JaToi lit up the room with the truth about navigating an industry that still doesn’t know what to do with Black queer excellence beyond the stereotypes they’re comfortable with. Cameron Johnson peeled back the curtain on the writer’s room—where the decisions about who gets to be seen, and how, really happen. Dwen Curry got personal, sharing the journey of bringing her own life story to the screen in Fighting to Be: The Dwen Curry Story, premiering on BET+ on February 27. She walked us through the challenges, the victories, and what it means to see your truth reflected in a way that honors your experience. And Yemi Adegbonmire? She didn’t come to play—she came to school the room on the legal and structural barriers that keep Black queer creatives locked out of the rooms where real change happens.
So Now What?
Talking is cute. Change is better.
We left that stage knowing this: The work is happening whether Hollywood is ready or not. Black queer creatives aren’t waiting for permission. We’re writing, directing, funding, and elevating our own voices. We’re challenging the old narratives and making sure the new ones aren’t just the same scripts with different casting.
And if this panel proved anything, it’s that the status quo is officially on notice.
For those who missed it—well, next time, show up. Because we’re not just making noise. We’re making history.
I’ve been a part of PAFF for years, and if there’s one thing this festival has always done, it’s made space for Black stories in all their forms—including the ones that mainstream Hollywood still struggles to embrace. I’m grateful that PAFF continues to uplift Black queer creatives, giving us a platform to tell our truths, challenge the industry, and celebrate our wins. Representation isn’t just a buzzword here—it’s a commitment. And year after year, PAFF proves that our voices matter.
Want me to moderate a panel, or speak at an event, reach out and let’s talk about it!
