Today we’d like to introduce you to Trelanda Lowe
I was raised in Seattle, Washington from childhood to mid-teen years. However, my family decided to move to Los Angeles, for a new opportunity in California. As a child, I always gravitated to media (photography, film, writing, etc.). Being around media allowed me to explore creatively as a disabled individual.
My mother was the first person who opened my eyes to media. When I was nine, I remember her taking me to watch Apocalypse Now. Ok, yes, the movie was intense for a kid that age to see, and I should have been watching kid movies, which I did, like E.T., The Wiz, and numerous others. But, as I watched, my fascination drew closely to the cinematography, acting, and lighting arrangement.
Another media medium I learned from was television sitcom shows (The Jeffersons, All In The Family, Good Times, Fames, The Facts of Life, etc.) What’s amusing is watching folks’ faces to tell them I grew up watching soap opera shows because of my mom’s love for them.
My love of media bloomed when I was nineteen during junior college years, while working at a photo lab seeing other photographers work. During my academic education, I struggled to understand the subjects because of my disabilities. Another element that prevented me from addressing my learning challenges at school was the economy. It forced me to drop out of school to work full-time, and later, I would go on to have a family.
However, I would return to school in my forties when my daughter entered college. Going back to school was exciting and motivating. It sparked to invest with the proper resource’s and outside program participation encouraged me to self-advocate for my needs. The guided mentorship of teachers, family, and friends ignited my passion for media (Lights! Camera! Access! (LCA), Women’s eNews, ADA LeadOn Production, and my own self-owned business at Vision Edge Media and Bourgeois Magazine LA).
I’m not going to say this journey has been easy, but it’s shown me the possibility that anyone with disabilities can attain anything. What’s remarkable about where I’m at today is I’ve completed two degrees with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Television Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Effects. Moreover, my education has continued in the Business Administration MBA program.
It’s funny, though, reminiscing about where I was in the 1990s, working full-time and with family and remembering telling my best friend I wanted to go back to college. Well, here I am today, working on my third degree.
My academia, family, and friends are not only important to me, but advocacy. That’s why I’m actively involved with various organizations such as Virtual World Community Development Conferences (VWCDCs), Bender #NotAshamed, ReelAbilities, and numerous others.
Additionally, my podcast show, Phenomenal Disabilities with Tree Lowe, provides a platform for the disabled community to have space to tell their stories navigating as disabled individuals, resources, and careers these people lead. I’m not only an advocate, however, I’m active as a juror for Aiva’s: Davey, Communicator, and W3 Awards, the Telly Awards, the Collision Awards, the National Media Awards Foundation, Signal Awards, a juror panelist for Women’s eNews, and a former fellow journalist with Women’s eNews.
Further, I always love to be involved in various areas of the media industry. As I work in my career fields, I’ll continue mentoring, advocacy, and traveling worldwide. Most importantly, my community of family and friends, also sobriety hold near to me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As I mentioned before, navigating around my disabilities in school wasn’t a quick fix. Growing up navigating my disabilities was no picnic with bullies, late-night struggles with homework, a lack of understanding of what my disabilities were motivated me to find out why I was struggling so much.
Moreover, my story is not aimed at “emotional porn” for pity but provides insight that others can go and do great things. I’ve seen so many folks manipulate “emotional porn” for selfish reasons while climbing up the ladder in career, school, or personal life. In all honesty, that type of angling magnifies in the wrong direction, and it’s a waste of time as observers lose their interest in these self-loathing individuals’ objectives. Of course, this is not a statement to everyone; it is just folks I’ve known and observed over the years who continue to latch onto thinking this behavioral model is adequate.
Moreover, as a disabled media professional, I’ve overcome numerous obstacles by asking questions, being present, and applying my knowledge in anything I do. Working in the professional media industry while attending school has been challenging, but I applied myself with daily goals.
As you know, we’re big fans of Vision Edge Media and Bourgeois Magazine La. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Vision Edge Media, a production company with a unique focus on narrative, documentary, and podcast content, stands out in the industry over its creative edge. Its services extend to collaborating with other companies on film projects. The company’s reputation is bolstered by its award-winning film, Delusional State, Phenomenal Disabilities docu-series, and Phenomenal Disabilities with Tree Lowe podcast show.
Bourgeois Magazine LA is a contemporary online media brand known for covering talents worldwide. It offers services in various areas of headshots, including imagery of musicians, artists, and red-carpet events.
I’m most proud of both companies because each focuses on different field areas, even though they correlate in various areas of the media field.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Regarding my podcast show, Phenomenal Disabilities with Tree Lowe, it’s always enjoyable collaborating with guests who are interested in talking on my show. This is to tell their stories, give insight, and provide resourceful information.
Over the years I’ve collaborated on the following films ADA LeadOn 30 and 31, Mistress Candi, Platonic Love, Drama No Drama, and many other projects. Honestly, it’s been an exciting journey collaborating and I encourage everyone to collaborate because you establish connections along your career journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://visionedge.
media - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/visionedgemedia - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/visionedgemedia - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/trelanda-lowe/ - Twitter: https://www.twitter.
com/visionedgemedia - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/@visionedgemedia - Other: https://www.imdb.com/
name/nm3732410/?ref_=nv_sr_ srsg_0_tt_6_nm_2_q_tree% 2520Lowe ; https://leadonada. org
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