Community Highlights: Meet Kinnedy Storay of Raising The Bar Creative/ScribeCash/S0UL TV

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kinnedy Storay.

Kinnedy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I actually started my career in music long before I ever picked up a film camera. I was a teenager when I first started rapping, recording songs in my bedroom and posting them online. That grind eventually took me all the way to BET’s 106 & Park, where multiple music videos premiered and got national exposure at a young age. That moment showed me that anything I imagined was possible if I was willing to outwork everyone in the room.

Music opened every early door for me. I toured, released projects, built a fan base, and learned how to produce my own visuals because I couldn’t afford to hire anyone. I started directing my music videos out of necessity—and that’s when everything clicked. I realized I didn’t just want to be in front of the camera. I wanted to build worlds. I wanted to tell stories.

Those music video days eventually transitioned into full features. I taught myself editing, producing, screenwriting—everything I needed to take an idea from concept to completion. Over time, directing became my primary passion, and I went from shooting YouTube content to releasing multiple full-length films on major platforms.

Today, I’m an independent filmmaker, director, and entrepreneur who has produced and released more than a dozen projects, even directing entire features in as little as three days—some of them while pregnant. I now run Raising The Bar Creative and I’m building my own streaming platform, S0UL TV, to champion independent film.

My journey from 106 & Park to filmmaking is really a story of reinvention. Music taught me hustle. It taught me how to connect with people. Filmmaking taught me purpose—and now I get to bring both worlds together through storytelling that reflects where I’ve been and where I’m going.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not—my road has been anything but smooth. I think people see the films, the platforms, the accomplishments, and they assume it was all straightforward. It wasn’t. I’ve had to learn some very hard lessons that shaped me into the creative and entrepreneur I am today.

One of the biggest struggles has been the distribution process. When you’re an independent filmmaker, you don’t have a big studio protecting you. You’re figuring things out through trial and error. I dealt with platforms giving vague answers, companies holding my projects hostage, and people trying to take advantage of my lack of experience. There were moments where I felt defeated because I knew the quality of my work, but navigating the business side felt like a constant uphill battle.

I’ve also been ripped off financially—people promising connections, deliverables, or opportunities and then disappearing after the money cleared. Losing money in this industry hurts, not just because of the dollar amount, but because of the trust you lose with it. But every situation taught me how to be sharper, how to protect myself, and how to read people better.

Another struggle was the pressure to compromise who I am as a woman. Early on, I was encouraged to “play sexy,” shake my butt, or present myself in ways that didn’t align with my values just to get attention in music or entertainment. I learned quickly that I’d rather take the longer route than lose myself for a shortcut. My morals matter more than any viral moment or industry approval.

So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But every obstacle—every setback, every ‘L,’ every person who tried to take advantage of me—taught me something that helped me grow. I’ve built thick skin, strong instincts, and a clear understanding of how I want to move in this industry. And even through all the challenges, I’m still here, still creating, and still building something that’s bigger than the obstacles I faced.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I run Raising The Bar Creative, a production company that focuses on creating high-quality independent films, scripted content, and digital series from the ground up. I’m also building S0uL TV, a streaming platform dedicated to spotlighting independent filmmakers and original programming. What makes my brand unique is that I’m not just a director or a producer — I’m truly involved in every stage of the creative process.

I’m known for taking a project from idea to completion almost entirely in-house. I write the scripts, direct the films, edit the projects, and even create original music for many of them. That level of creative control allows me to maintain a distinct voice and style across everything I produce. It also means I can move quickly, efficiently, and on my own terms without waiting for permission or a big team. I’ve directed entire features in as little as three days, and I’ve released multiple films on major platforms, all while maintaining a consistent brand identity.

What sets me apart is my ability to turn an idea into a finished product fast — without sacrificing quality. I specialize in contained thrillers, character-driven dramas, and stories centered around Black women, family, love, and survival. People come to me because they know I’m hands-on, resourceful, and relentlessly creative. I’m proud that my work feels authentic and accessible, while still looking and performing like higher-budget studio films.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the ecosystem I’m building. It’s not just about making films — it’s about creating a platform where independent filmmakers can thrive. With S0uL TV, we’re licensing films, developing original content, and building a space that actually honors creators and gives them visibility.

What I want readers to know is that my brand is built on integrity, innovation, and self-sufficiency. Whether it’s a feature film, a digital series, or a branded project, we bring stories to life from concept to execution — writing, shooting, directing, editing, scoring, and distributing under one roof. We create with intention, we move with purpose, and we always aim to raise the bar creatively.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe that risk is a requirement for anyone who wants to build something meaningful. Nothing I’ve accomplished came from playing it safe. From the moment I stepped into entertainment first through music and later through filmmaking — I had to get comfortable betting on myself, even when the outcome was uncertain.

One of the biggest risks I ever took was deciding to finance, produce, and distribute my own films without waiting for a studio, a budget, or someone’s approval. I didn’t have the traditional backing that many filmmakers rely on, so every project felt like putting my savings, my reputation, and my sanity on the line. But every time I invested in myself, it paid off — not always financially in the beginning, but in experience, visibility, and momentum.

Another major risk was choosing to create my own platform, S0uL TV. Stepping into the tech and distribution world as an independent creative is a huge risk. You’re competing with companies that have massive resources, huge teams, and decades of infrastructure. But I knew that if I didn’t take the leap, I’d always be depending on someone else’s system. Building my own platform is my way of taking ownership — creatively and financially.

The truth is, even my personal decisions have come with risk. Directing full features while pregnant, working nonstop in an industry where nothing is guaranteed, turning down opportunities that didn’t align with my values — all of those choices required faith. They required betting on the long-term over the easy shortcut.

I don’t see myself as reckless, but I’m definitely a calculated risk taker. I think deeply, pray on it, trust my intuition, and then move forward with confidence. I’ve learned that the biggest risk you can take is doing nothing — staying still, waiting for perfect conditions, or relying on permission that may never come.

For me, risk isn’t about danger. It’s about growth. It’s about saying, “I believe in myself enough to try.” And every meaningful milestone in my journey has come from taking that chance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://RaisingTheBarCreative.com
• Instagram: TheRealScribe
• Youtube: ScribeCash