Today we’d like to introduce you to Nasir Kenneth Ferebee.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nasir Kenneth. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
From the age of thirteen, I always knew that I wanted to work in the entertainment industry, live in Los Angeles, and be an entrepreneur. The careers of Diddy, Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, and John Singleton inspired me immensely to go after my dreams. I started my career in 2005 as a film student at Temple University and an intern at the Philadelphia Film Office. Early on, I recognized how important it was to be strategic in working in major markets so I got internships at Teen Nick and Mtv News & Docs in New York City. After graduating college, I worked as a Production Assistant at Vh1. At that time, I didn’t have enough money to live in NYC so I commuted daily from Philly to NYC and would be on the train six hours a day going back and forth for two years.
In 2010, I was finally able to afford a studio apartment in Jersey City. Being able to explore NYC was a huge turning point for me. I gained access to different food, culture, music, people, everything. That city molded me into a higher version of myself. It was there that I climbed the ranks for intern to producer. I worked at various companies like Lifetime, Bravo, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and NBC. However, I always had my sights set on Hollywood. In 2014, I took the leap and moved to Los Angeles to become a filmmaker. I’ve been pounding the pavement and making movies ever since. It’s been quite a journey, but every challenge has been rewarding.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
People often don’t understand how difficult life as an artist can be. Even I didn’t fully understand until my career took a turn in November of 2015 that I would have never expected. Since I graduated college in February of 2007 to November of 2015, I worked as an entertainment professional. Occasionally, I would need to file for unemployment, but for the most part I was financially stable. Then, at the end of 2015, I COULD NOT FIND A JOB!!!!! LIKE NOTHING. I COULDN’T BOOK A JOB TO SAVE MY LIFE. As I was washing my clothes at a laundromat in Beverly Hills, I saw a “Now Hiring” sign. I applied and got the job. I washed and folded clothes, cleaned toilets, and mopped floors for nearly two years until I got my current job at Complex. During those two years of unemployment, I volunteered on 20 short films to keep my career going in entertainment. It was incredibly difficult and humbling, but I’m grateful because it stretched my character and gave my heart a capacity for empathy that has changed me forever.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Brave December Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
Brave December Productions is a newly formed television, film, and digital production company owned by me that tells compelling stories of underrepresented voices. The goal for the company is to be a safe and affirming space where everyone can produce content that is revolutionary. I named my company Brave December because my family has often called me brave because I rebuilt my life in both New York City and Los Angeles by myself, and I often travel alone. I never considered myself brave because I never questioned what would happen if I did go after my dreams. My concern was always what would happen if I didn’t go after them. It was until a few years that I owned the label of being brave. December comes from the fact that I detest cold weather, and when I lived on the east coast, I always had a difficult time getting out of bed during the winter months of December, January, and February. It always took a lot of bravery and diligence to get through the storms and blizzards. When I thought of a company, I wanted the name to be symbolic of being able to weather the storms that occur in the entertainment business. There are a lot of trials and tribulations that must be navigated and it’s imperative that one is steadfast on their journey.
Our first project is a show entitled Mama’s Kitchen. The series follows our host Seth Brundle as he travels across Los Angeles visiting the kitchens of inspiring and hilarious mothers of different cultural backgrounds while learning their family recipes. The show was created to be a celebration of diverse women and how they are the backbone of their families. It’s currently being shopped to various media companies. I’m also in pre-production on my first feature film entitled Give The Drummer Some. It’s a dynamic Black girl coming-of-age film centered around DC go-go music. The script was written by Steven Chew, and it recently received an “8” on the Black List. My producing partner Quan Lateef-Hill and I are incredibly excited to tell this beautiful story. Lastly, my short film Black Boy Joy which was produced via Film Independent’s Project Involve program recently won the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. We are officially eligible to apply for the Academy Awards so we’re starting that process now. I’m excited for everything that is happening.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
The biggest testament of luck in my life would have to be being raised by my grandmother and aunt – Gloria and Robin Ferebee. Their love and care for me shifted the trajectory of my life. The two of them raised me with faith, unconditional love, education, and access to opportunity. I knew from a young age that I was being invested in, and they expected greatness from me. They are responsible for the man that I am today. They were incredibly intentional with how they parented me, and my primary goal is to always make them proud. I’m forever grateful for God putting the three of us together. One of my biggest dreams is to fly them out on a private jet to my Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nasirkferebee.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nasirkennethferebee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nferebee
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NasirKFerebee
Image Credit:
Christopher Cotton, Anissa Marie, Mercedes Ferguson, Pierce Simpson, Wayne Sampson, Film Independent
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