Meet Monique Gill

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Monique Gill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Monique, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Wow, that’s a great question—no one has ever asked me that. Honestly, I think I was born into circumstances that helped shape my resilient mindset. Despite being perceived as a fun-loving, preacher’s kid, my childhood was anything but easy. My home environment was filled with competition where none should have existed, manipulation, isolation, and even bigotry. I came to understand who I was by realizing who I didn’t want to be, and distancing myself from that environment.
Choosing to reject that way of life came at a cost. Those who were supposed to love and protect me didn’t. My survival depended on my mindset, even as I faced deep bouts of depression. No matter how dark things became around me, I found light in my imagination and the strength to confront the fear of rejection. That inner world helped me rise above the painful relationships and difficult circumstances.
Ultimately, I think my resilience comes from enduring the pain of being beaten down and shut out by those I loved most, while holding onto faith that a life with trustworthy people and better circumstances is possible.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am an accredited Film Director, Creative Producer, and Video Editor through my work on the original documentary series The Bluest Space: Creatives Defining Fine Art Spaces. The series is IMDB-qualified and has been nominated for Best Documentary Short Film in the London Indie Festival, Austin International Art Festival, Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift, and Atlanta Women’s Film Festival. It also won the Documentary Short Film category at the AMSC “Bring Your Brilliance” Short Film Festival. Additionally, I continue to work on and develop film and television projects as a 479 Union member, collaborating with notable networks such as HBO, ABC, AMC, Apple TV+, and Amazon.

After several years working as a Broadcast teacher in Fulton County Schools, I left due to struggles with deep depression and anxiety. However, I found rejuvenation through creating. It helped me focus on what joy looks like for me day-by-day, and it truly helped rebuild my self-confidence. It was while writing, producing, and sharing stories, I recalled how much I enjoyed helping kids do the same by discovering creative ways to “align with their star player”—their best, most balanced self. This led me to create the Moknowsbest nonprofit! Our mission is to use film education and practice to promote emotional maturity and self-awareness. Being a positive emotional influence in the world is what powers our vision to change lives. Programs like The Bluest Space improve the lives of youth by positively influencing their emotions. By helping students release negative feelings and empowering their self-esteem, we guide them in exploring and balancing their emotions within a supportive creative community.

The Bluest Space Youth Film Intensive is a 6-session documentary film production course designed to mentor participants in expressing their emotions through filmmaking. This workshop serves as a platform to reduce negative emotions, express feelings, and uplift self-esteem through a carefully tailored filmmaking and mentorship program. The focus is on fostering self and collective empathy, reshaping participants’ perception of their worth in society, and honing marketable skills.

We are excited to announce that Moknowsbest is now an official Dekalb County partner. With this partnership, we’re eager to expand our reach to select middle school campuses across Metro Atlanta. Together, we will enrich the lives of children while setting ourselves on a golden path to improve our collective futures.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three most important qualities I hold are a lifelong passion for seeking knowledge, active self-care practices, and the courage to face my fears. I believe that a commitment to learning helps us continuously grow and adapt to life’s changes. Maintaining self-care is essential for nurturing our mental, emotional, and physical well-being, allowing us to show up fully for ourselves and others. Lastly, facing fears is crucial for building resilience and experiencing personal growth. My advice to those early in their journey is to remember RuPaul’s wisdom: “If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” Before pouring into someone else’s cup, be sure yours is full. Take time to discover what brings you joy, understand what depletes it, and reflect on how your joy practice influences others. Adjust where needed and give from a place of overflow, not depletion.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely, yes! The Bluest Space Youth Film Intensive is actively seeking collaboration with Metro Atlanta schools and church youth groups for youth aged 10-15. Our mission is to create 24 original youth films that help young people navigate emotions, express themselves, and boost self-esteem. Through our carefully designed filmmaking instruction and mentorship, we aim to empower youth voices.

If you’d like to bring The Bluest Space program to your school, church or organization, please contact Tiffany Moon via email at [email protected].

To learn more about our mission, watch recent films, and stay updated, follow us on social media, visit our website, and check out our summer youth filmmaker Zoe Fulse’s debut documentary. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay connected and see where Moknowsbest will be next!

Contact Info:

 

Image Credits

Photo Credit to Glenn Callwood

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,