Check Out Dwight Allen O’Neal’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dwight Allen O’Neal

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my journey in Little Rock, Arkansas, where I was born the youngest of three children. After moving to New York City in 2003 for college, I began carving out a space for myself in the creative industry. My breakthrough came with the creation of Christopher Street TV, the first black gay web series, which highlighted the stories and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.

My work spans various roles including acting, producing, and directing. I’ve appeared in films like “Hitch” and served as an executive producer on projects such as “The Breeding,” “Being Black in Porn,” “Go Go,” and the upcoming “Noah’s Arc: The Movie.” My passion for storytelling led me to write and publish books like “Shoulda! Coulda! Woulda!” and “Collar Confessions: Sharing the Man of God,” the latter of which I helped develop into a series for Here TV.

During the global pandemic, I co-founded the Rose Neal Collective, a company focused on enhancing the beauty shopping experience for BIPOC consumers. This role allowed me to partner with major beauty retailers across the US and Canada to recruit talent and promote inclusivity in the beauty industry​.

Despite facing personal losses, such as the passing of my ‘gay father’ Mr. Nathan Seven Scott, and my sister Tawana, I continued to push forward. I’ve dedicated myself to various causes, including advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness and trans rights. Through my social media presence and live shows, I aim to inspire and educate others about living authentically and embracing one’s true self​.

My journey has been a blend of creative endeavors, advocacy, and personal growth, all driven by a desire to make a positive impact in my community and beyond.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to where I am today has been anything but smooth. It has been filled with both significant challenges and triumphs.

One of the major struggles has been dealing with the intersectionality of my identity as a Black gay man. Growing up, and even into my professional life, I’ve faced both racism and homophobia. These experiences have been challenging, as they often made me feel like I had to fight on multiple fronts just to be seen and heard​.

Additionally, the creative industry is notoriously difficult to break into, especially for people of color. When I first started Christopher Street TV, there was a significant lack of representation for Black LGBTQ+ stories. This made it hard to find support and resources to get the project off the ground. Despite this, I persevered, driven by a desire to tell authentic stories and create a space for voices like mine​.

Personal losses have also marked my journey. The passing of my ‘gay father,’ Mr. Nathan Seven Scott, and my sister were incredibly tough. These losses were compounded by the struggle of balancing personal grief with the need to continue my professional work and advocacy​.

On a broader scale, advocating for Black and LGBTQ+ rights has always been a challenging but essential part of my work. The fight for equality and recognition is ongoing, and often, it feels like progress is slow. However, these struggles have only reinforced my commitment to using my platform to drive positive change and support my community​.

Through all these challenges, I’ve learned to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and change. Each struggle has shaped me into the resilient, passionate advocate and creative professional I am today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m thrilled to share more about my work, particularly focusing on my latest and fastest-growing project, “Just 1 Minute”. This micro-series, featured on my social media platforms, is a queer take on “Insecure” meets “Sex and the City,” with each episode lasting just one minute. This format allows for quick, engaging storytelling that resonates with today’s fast-paced digital audience.

“Just 1 Minute” has garnered significant attention and even attracted interest from Black Alignment Group (BAG), a prominent organization. I’m currently producing an episode around the crucial topic of voting, which will be featured on both my social media platforms and their Instagram account, @flforallvote ​.

In addition to this series, I am known for creating Christopher Street TV, the first black gay web series, which brought visibility and representation to the LGBTQ+ community. I also wrote the books “Shoulda! Coulda! Woulda!” and “Collar Confessions: Sharing the Man of God,” with the latter being developed into a series for Here TV. My involvement with the Rose Neal Collective, focusing on elevating the shopping experience for BIPOC consumers, is another highlight of my work.

What sets me apart is my ability to blend creative storytelling with impactful advocacy. My projects not only entertain but also educate and inspire change. This unique combination, along with my dedication to authenticity, drives my work and allows me to make a meaningful impact in the community.

Overall, my journey has been shaped by a commitment to telling authentic stories and using my platform to foster positive change. Whether through a one-minute episode or a full-length series, my goal remains to influence, inspire, and elevate the voices of those often underrepresented in mainstream media.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My journey has been significantly shaped by the support of several key individuals. The late Nathan Seven Scott was a pivotal figure in my life, serving as a mentor and ‘gay father.’ His guidance, love, and wisdom helped me navigate the industry and find my voice as a creator and advocate..

My parents have been steadfast in their support, standing by me even when they had concerns about my safety as a Black gay man. Their belief in me has been a cornerstone of my strength.

Professionally, the dedicated team and my business partner at the Rose Neal Collective, and my collaborators on projects like “Christopher Street TV, “ “Just 1 Minute,” and “Go Go” have been essential. I can’t forget the Here TV network for believing in me and our wonderful team at Novo Novus Productions. They have given us a platform for our voice, and that’s rare for folks that look like us. Thank you for being a pioneer in that process. Their dedication and passion have brought our creative visions to life, making impactful stories that resonate with our audience.

Support from organizations like “ Black Alignment Group“ (BAG) @flforallvote has also been incredibly encouraging. Their interest in “Just 1 Minute” and the opportunity to produce an episode around voting highlights the broader impact of our work and the importance of community partnerships. Thank you Danni for believing in my work! Check out more about them @FLRising

Thank you @themarathonclothing (The Marathon Clothing) for the amazing gear! The sweatsuit is my favorite new outfit!

These mentors, supporters, and collaborators have all played crucial roles in my journey, contributing significantly to my success and the success of my projects.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ONealAppeal.com, www.RoseNeal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onealappeal?igsh=MXJ3N3o4NDUzaDhk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onealappeal?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Twitter: https://x.com/onealappeal?s=21&t=xeEzr3qvVsLY620vB-cAyQ
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@onealappeal?si=DTpwzQYJQ0JXdVvq
• Other: https://bigo.onelink.me/1168916328/onealappeal

Image Credits
@79Botingz97