Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Kazzy Cryer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Amanda Kazzy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
As a child, teen, and young adult, I faced incredibly painful and traumatic experiences in life – including poverty and homelessness, sexual abuse, sexual assault, bullying, domestic violence – and severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD as a result.
Despite the hardships I endured, I found a deeper meaning and purpose in transforming that pain into power. The courage, resilience and strength I cultivated led me to an inspiring realization that my own discomfort could be channeled into a force for positive change as a Filmmaker and Impact Influencer.
Through my own journey of overcoming adversity, I have recognized the profound impact that our experiences can have on our ability to empathize with and help others who have faced similar struggles. My commitment to making a difference and my passion for contributing to the betterment of humanity – and our world – have become the driving forces behind my purpose and behind the work I do on a daily basis.
By using my personal experiences as a catalyst for change, I have found a way to not only heal myself but also to empower others who may be enduring similar challenges. My ability to empathize with others, coupled with my determination to create positive change in the world, has become a guiding light for me that I follow every day.
I have learned that my resilience and determination have enabled me to transform my pain into a source of strength and inspiration, propelling me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. It is my hope that my journey can serve as a beacon of hope and as a testament to the transformative power of courage, resilience, compassion, and purpose.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the CEO of AC Media, an award-winning filmmaker, social Impact entrepreneur, and widely known influencer. I am committed to elevating voices through film, traditional media, and social media, and I’m passionate about co-creating projects that bring awareness to important issues.
Having lived and worked in both developed and developing countries, I have been active in co-creating opportunities to solve problems, shift systems, and activate the inner capacity of leaders to create lasting change.
As a social impact ambassador and advisor, I have worked with hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds including leading change makers, media professionals, celebrities, community activists, leaders at the United Nations, scientists, philosophers, thought leaders, TV and Film personalities, Nobel Peace Prize recipients, CEOs, individuals working in politics and policy, actors, and founders of nonprofits and NGOs.
I have shifted thousands of “us vs them” conflicts into co-creative conversations and I see systems shift language and transformative dialogue as essential to creating an ecocentric world and peace on our planet.
I was featured in LA Weekly as a Top Social Impact Influencer, as well as a Top Voice in Leadership, Film Production, Leadership Development, Mentorship, and Social Impact on LinkedIn. For the past two years, I have been listed in the Top 250 Influencers & Voices of LinkedIn.
I am deeply committed to uniting humanity and utilizing my voice to accomplish this, as well as co-creating messages of unity, compassion, dignity, and equity for all. I have been featured in Yahoo Finance, Women In Business, Inc. Magazine, The Guardian Nigeria, and Forbes magazine.
I have an unwavering belief that every person and company has the power to change the world, and this fuels my mission to empower organizations to maximize their positive impact and influence on global well-being. I have developed, led, and coached dozens of programs for organizations, as well as solo entrepreneurs worldwide, that engage each participant to initiate real-world projects and real strategies that produce measurable and lasting results for humanity and our planet.
It is well-documented that when companies cultivate a culture of contribution, whether locally or globally, they not only fortify their brand but also attract more loyal customers, employees, and investors. AC Media supports people in designing these strategies to go beyond bureaucracies & band-aid solutions to create lasting change at scale.
As a filmmaker, a few of my productions have included What They Wanted, What They Got, which sold to Showtime; the multiple award winning, Luz: The Flower of Evil; and the award winning Lord of Catan. From 2009 to 2012, I worked with a cohort of Native American actors, including alumni of the Twilight film series, to bring awareness to the water infrastructure issues negatively impacting Indigenous communities across the United States. I also worked at Roy Lee’s production company Vertigo Entertainment which produced big budget films such as Doctor Sleep, It, The Departed, and The Lego Movie, to name a few.
I have been recognized as a powerful voice and influencer for prison reform, mental health/behavioral health, human/sex trafficking, ethical eating, ecocentrism, drug misuse/addiction, people experiencing homelessness and poverty, SA and IPV, and unifying media.
My company, AC Media is involved in the development, co-creation and production of media driven projects that look at what’s possible when we overcome polarization and move towards unity.
Our latest film, ‘Living UN DONE’, is a short documentary seen through the eyes of Kate, a mother, who lost the son she knew, Daniel, to the “system”. When Daniel was 21 years old, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He then struggled with severe PTSD and anxiety from his time in prison, as well as becoming addicted to opiates, which were first prescribed to him (Percocet) when he was 18 years old after having his wisdom teeth removed.
The film illuminates the systems of mass incarceration and digital punishment, the mental health crises, and the system of drug misuse/addiction/pharmaceutical industry. These systems are intrinsically linked.
Dr. Yusef Salaam (author, activist, and now politician, as well as being 1/5th of the Exonerated Five) also makes a special guest appearance.
Sadly, while this story is not entirely unique, my commitment is to bring attention to how all of these systems work together and feed each other. These systems are intertwined and there is a cyclical pattern happening that I don’t believe most people in this country recognize or are fully aware of. At any moment, one of our children, or friends, family, or colleagues could make a bad decision like driving under the influence of alcohol for instance. And possibly injure or kill someone in that situation. They are then sentenced to a life of hell. Not just the prison system (which does not rehabilitate well, if you look at recidivism rates in the USA), but this digital punishment – the scarlet letter – that follows them around for life.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, I believe that courage, discernment, and compassion have been the most impactful qualities for me. I would also like to add that the ability to adapt to new situations and challenges has allowed me to navigate through various changes and uncertainties with a resilience I didn’t realize I always had. Commitment and perseverance has kept me focused towards my goals, even in the face of major setbacks, obstacles and failures. I have learned a great deal from failing. I highly recommend it 😀
I’m also a huge believer in continuous learning, whether it’s acquiring new skills, expanding my knowledge, or working on self awareness. Having mentors is important and being a mentor to others allows us to contribute to someone else’s success – which is key to me. These have all been vital elements for me and investing my time in fine tuning certain skills and qualities has greatly enhanced my journey and has supported me in staying on track, relevant, and innovative in my journey. The fulfillment I experience as a result of all of this, is a gigantic victory for me.
For those who are early in their journey, my advice is to embrace adaptability by being open to change and new experiences. Cultivate courage and perseverance by setting clear goals and staying committed to them, even when the path seems difficult or you are faced with unimaginable circumstances. Obstacles will come. That’s a part of living. Remember to have compassion for yourself. If you need a break that’s OK. Take some time to yourself and then get back out there. Find a community of people who support your values, goals and mission in life. And never, ever give up on your dreams.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Our ideal client is an organization or individuals with a strong desire to catalyze positive change and innovation within their industry. They are passionate about making a significant impact on the well-being of humanity and our planet and are committed to disrupting the status quo in order to achieve this. Our ideal client is forward-thinking, visionary, and ambitious, with a clear focus on being a trailblazer in their field. They are not content with the current state of affairs and are looking to establish themselves as the new voice of authority and influence in their industry. We help them do this.
This ideal client is likely to possess characteristics such as a willingness to take calculated risks, a strong sense of determination, and a bold, entrepreneurial spirit, who is also coachable and wants to learn how to do this for sustainable, long lasting results. They are open to new ideas, perspectives, and approaches, and are eager to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of their goals. Additionally, they are likely to be driven by a genuine passion for creating positive change and leaving a lasting legacy.
AC Media is well-equipped to help such clients by providing strategic guidance, innovative solutions, and the necessary resources to amplify their impact and establish themselves as leaders in their industry. By working with clients who embody these characteristics, we can collaborate on truly transformative projects that have the potential to shape the future in meaningful ways.
We love what we do and the world needs what you have to give.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ACMediaGlobal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandakazzycryer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandakazzycryer
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@KazzyCreates
- Other: Please contact: [email protected] 478-960-8045
Image Credits
Headshots by: Linda Carroll LC Photography www.lclifephotos.com
