Check Out Thomas Bunn’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Bunn.

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?
My name is Thomas Bunn, but most people know me as Tommy. I’m a creative from Inglewood, California, and my journey through the world of storytelling began in 2003. Like a Tarantino film, it’s been unconventional, layered, and action-packed.

After graduating at the top of my film school class in 2007, I worked in Hollywood on various film and television sets, including post-production for reality TV—a fast-paced environment that ultimately led to creative burnout. During my senior year, I launched my production company, Against The Grain Films, and began producing original content for musicians, businesses, and nonprofits—ranging from music videos to commercials and PSAs.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of companies, including HBO, BET, 94.7 The Wave, Mark Burnett Productions, and 51 Minds. I’ve covered some of the most acclaimed and high-profile events in the world—from Super Bowl LVI, WrestleMania, and NBA All-Star Weekend, to Battle of the Bands, Rolling Loud LA, the Taylor Swift and Beyoncé concerts, and events tied to the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games. I’m currently producing branded content for Activision.

In 2011, I became Creative Director and a journalist for Inglewood Today Newspaper, where I fell in love with community-based storytelling. At the time, Inglewood was undergoing a major transformation under newly elected Mayor James T. Butts, who had a bold vision for reviving the City of Champions.

That experience helped me develop what I now call the Creative Community Advocacy (CCA) Model—a framework grounded in the intersection of art, education, and commerce. It became the lens through which I saw the power of storytelling to not only inspire but to empower.

My work with Inglewood Today led to a contract with the City of Inglewood, where I began producing documentaries, PSAs, and digital campaigns. Anticipating the digital shift in government communication, I also created and launched the City’s social media profiles.

Over time, I carved out a unique role as a creative strategist and communications professional, eventually becoming the Video and Social Media Manager for the City. In this role, I built the City’s media presence from the ground up—leading national award-winning campaigns and creating content that fosters civic pride and community engagement. This year marks nine years with the City, and now my focus is on paying it forward.

The throughline in all of my work—whether it’s writing, directing, photography, mentoring, or building platforms—is a commitment to empower others through creativity, document truth, and reimagine what’s possible. My path hasn’t been linear, but every chapter has been about building something in service to the community—and now, giving others the tools to do the same.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. My journey has had moments that nearly broke me, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

While I was still a sophomore in film school, I was shot and nearly lost my life. The bullet tore through my brachial artery, and I came close to bleeding to death. Doctors told me I’d never be able to fully extend my arm again, and that the physical limitations would keep me from doing the creative work I once loved. What followed was years of PTSD, chronic pain, and insurmountable medical debt. Everything I thought I knew about life flipped upside down.

Seven years later, I faced another turning point. My father, my best friend and greatest source of wisdom, suffered a series of heart attacks that left him debilitated and in hospice care. At the same time, my fiancée and I found out we were pregnant with our first child. I was consumed by grief and joy at the same time. I didn’t know whether I was supposed to mourn or celebrate. It was confusing and overwhelming.

But that moment showed me something divine, that life and death aren’t opposites, they’re deeply connected. As I lost my protector, I was gifted a new reason to live. That experience lit a fire in me. It illuminated a new path of my purpose. I knew I had to succeed—not just for myself, but for my family, and for the community I come from.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary creative—writer, producer, director, designer, strategist, and manager, and I move fluidly across all of those roles with intention and purpose. I tell stories through visual media, design communication strategies, build campaigns from the ground up, and lead teams to bring big visions to life. That range is what makes me powerful, I’m not just a creative, I’m a builder of platforms, narratives, and institutions.

I specialize in media production, creative strategy, and public communication, particularly in civic, cultural, and community-driven spaces. I’m probably best known for my work with the City of Inglewood, where I’ve played a key role in shaping its public image and digital footprint. I built the City’s media and social presence from scratch, led award-winning campaigns like “How Wood Are You?”, and have captured some of the most pivotal moments in the city’s modern history, all while amplifying civic pride and engagement.

What sets me apart is the scope of my work and the scale of my impact. I’ve been at the heart of a generational transformation in Inglewood, working on behalf of a city that has hosted Super Bowl LVI, WrestleMania, NBA All-Star Weekend, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift concerts, and is preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games. I’ve had the rare opportunity to work with global brands, high-profile public figures, and world-class events—while consistently delivering results that reflect authenticity, professionalism, and cultural relevance. Most creatives can’t say they’ve had that level of access or responsibility—and even fewer have delivered at that level while staying rooted in service to community.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
To put it simply, love. Love of the art, love of community. My love for what I do fuels my creativity and allows me to consistently create at a high level. And my love for community is embedded in every piece I produce. You can feel it in the stories I choose to tell, in the people I highlight, and in the way my work uplifts rather than exploits. That love is what grounds me, guides me, and ultimately sets the tone for everything I build.