Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joslyn Rose Lyons. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Joslyn Rose, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Growing up in Oakland and the Bay Area in general, is where my resilience comes from. It’s the rose that grows from concrete. Learning how to find my purpose and my path amidst all of the obstacles, is one of the main factors that helped shape me into the director and artist that I am today. There is a process of alchemy that needs to be present when we want to pursue our dreams. That fire what helps us persevere and we need it in order to sustain the success.. When we feel that resistance ,show up, while we might want to fold, it is those moments that we must keep going, to cross the thresholds. That is where my resilience comes from. Facing the shadows the find the light and continue to move, grow, and evolve
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 an Award Winning Director, I have produced and directed a diverse range of content in film and television for more than a decade, including work with Lionsgate, STARZ, Warner Bros. Pics., UNINTERRUPTED, BET, Showtime/Showtime Sports,. and Paramount Pictures/Paramount Plus.
My short film Looking Glass premiered at SUNDANCE London, and picked up numerous awards including Best Short at The American Film Awards, and TopShorts Best Female Director. I also picked up Best Director award at the 7th edition of LA Independent Women Film Awards for my short film Butterfly Boxing, starring Hill Harper and J. Alphonse Nicholson, which premiered at ESSENCE Film Festival.
I have directed and produced numerous music videos and television specials, including the first music matters showcase for the Grammy’s at CAA and the BET Awards Celebrity Basketball Game with Nick Cannon, Chris Brown, Lil Rel Howery, Angela Yee, and Jemelle Hill.
As a producer on Speaking Truth to Power (Lionsgate/STARZ), which featured Barbara Lee, Ayanna Presley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Alice Walker, Van Jones, Cory Booker, and Danny Glover, we won Outstanding Documentary at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards, and teamed with #TakeTheLead, STARZ’s commitment to amplifying narratives by, about and for women.
My feature-length directorial debut, STAND, is an examination of the extraordinary journey of pioneer activist and basketball prodigy Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf premiering which premiered on Showtime / Paramount in 2023. The documentary features Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, Shaquille O’Neal, Jalen Rose, Mahershala Ali, Ice Cube and more.
I am the Producer of Tale of the Tape, which takes an unabashed look at the role The Mixtape played during the growth of Hip Hop music from the 1970’s to now with Kendrick Lamar Wiz Khalifa, and Big Sean, J. Cole.
I am an Academy Gold Fellowship for Women Finalist, from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences/Oscars and I was invited by The Academy to be a Guest Panelist on their Academy Gold Rising Program – committed to amplifying narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. I’m a member of the Alliance of Women Directors and I am represented by Creative Artists Agency.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Perseverance, patience, and staying true to yourself is key. Seeking the light. staying grounded, and finding gratitude in the face of challenges. My advice for anyone on the path to pursuing their dreams is to go inwards whenever fear or doubt arises, and trusting your inner knowing to guide you. It’s not always clear, but as long as you put one foot in front of the other and just keep going forward, you are on the right path.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
‘The Alchemist” is definitely on the top of my list, and another book called ‘The Big Leap’ which explores the concept of taking that courageous leap from your ‘excellence zone’ to your ‘genius zone’. That book has had a huge impact on my creative journey, allowing me to see the process through a broader perspective.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://itsjoslynrose.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjoslynrose/
Image Credits
B Malik Photography
