Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony Gilbert.
Ebony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story began in Little Haiti–a neighborhood in Miami, FL, filled with people as colorful and vibrant as the pink, blue, and green homes that lined our neighborhood. There, I developed my voice and started writing short stories at six years old. Even at that young age, I was hyperaware of being both Black and female, as well as the disparities that I witnessed immigrant and low-income families facing, and I documented it. By the time I was sixteen, I had a weekly column in the Miami Herald where I continued to share stories about disenfranchised communities. But it wasn’t until I was exposed to writers like Zora Neale Hurston and James Baldwin-writers with voices like mine- that I gained the confidence to fully embrace a career in which I could highlight the experiences of marginalized communities.
Baldwin taught me to be bold, honest, and authentic in my work. Zora taught me to embrace the African American vernacular, our experiences, and the beauty of exploring numerous mediums such as novels, plays, and films to tell our stories. And so, I decided to do just that.
After receiving my MFA in Screenwriting from Loyola Marymount University, I jumped into life as a professional writer with a mission in mind. I co-wrote and directed the award-winning play Complex[ion] Woman, a stage play that explored the many facets of life as a woman of color. In 2017, I was selected as a Film Independent’s Project Involve Writing Fellow. Shortly after, I was named “Writer to Watch” by WeForShe, and the following year, I began my writing career in television. During this time, I wrote my first book, Billie Holiday, a graphic novel about the complex life of the jazz icon, and it was later named one of the Best Travel Comics by Book Riot in 2022.
But it wasn’t until I started my company, Dirt-Stained Roses, that I crystallized my mission. Under DSR, I debuted Ships a Comin, and it has won numerous awards, including Best Animated Short and Best AfroFuturism Award. In 2023, I made my directorial debut with Ifine (Beauty)—a documentary exploring the skin bleaching epidemic in Sierra Leone, Africa. The film won Best Short Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival, Freetong Film Festival, Morehouse Human Rights Film Festival, San Antonio Black International Film Festival, SIMA Awards and was nominated for Best Documentary at the Africa Movie Academy Awards and Outstanding Short Doc at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards.
What I am most proud of, though, is the community-focused work we are doing at Dirt-Stained Roses. We have four active programs, including the DSR Scholarship Program, Internship & Mentorship Initiative, DSR Reading Program, and a Screenwriting Program for students 10-18 years old. I am honored to plant seeds in the same communities that shaped my life’s purpose.
It feels like a dream to be on this path, and what’s most exciting is that I know I am only in the first Act of my life’s story. I can’t wait to see what the next chapters bring!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is no such thing as a path without obstacles. Along the way, I’ve endured many heartaches and great disappointments. But I am so grateful that I encountered them and that I encountered them early on in my career. Right away, I was shown the importance of not glamorizing or idolizing this career, this industry, or the people in it.
I don’t want to be associated only with my talent; I want to be known as a person of integrity. You certainly don’t have to lie, steal, or use people. My favorite quote is by the great Dr. Maya Angelou, who said, “People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”
As you know, we’re big fans of Dirt-Stained Roses Productions. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
DIRT-STAINED ROSES is a multiplatform media company committed to innovation, visibility, and social justice. Established in 2021, the company highlights marginalized voices through film, TV, books, and stage plays in hopes of promoting underrepresented stories.
To foster new voices, DSR has launched the DSR Scholarship Program, Internship & Mentorship Initiative, DSR Reading Program, and a Screenwriting Program for students 10-18 years old.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
During the height of the pandemic, I focused on the inner work. I made prayer part of my daily routine, adopted a plant-based diet, and prioritized self-care. Above all, I started having fun again! I don’t believe in the “hustle” mentality. I don’t want to “sleep when I die.” I want to sleep now and for eight hours! Instead of focusing on the destination, I want to be present and enjoy the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dirt-stainedroses.com
- Instagram: dsr_productions_
