Meet K. Nicole Mills

Today we’d like to introduce you to K. Nicole Mills.

Hi K. Nicole, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
Visual imagery has always been my language. I’m originally from Maryland, and my early days of artistic expression were in the form of documenting life through photography. I carried a camera with me in high school and through college, and once I graduated, I moved to New York City and literally carried my DSLR everywhere. Despite my love for photography, at the time I didn’t realize that choosing a career in an artistic field was a viable option, so I started my career working in investment banking in New York City. I was excited for the opportunity, but I quickly realized that I couldn’t see myself working in that environment long-term. As I was on the way to work one day, I saw a production outside of my building and was instantly intrigued. I asked someone on set how I could get a job on set, and they told me to find a job as a Production Assistant, so that is exactly what I did.

I had no idea how to find a job as a Production Assistant since I was in the world of finance, so I decided to go to Craigslist to look through the listings of people who were looking for actors. I figured if they were looking for actors, they would be looking for help on set. Finally, someone responded to me and allowed me to assist on set for free. That was my foot in the door of the entertainment industry. From there, I was able to secure an internship at CBS, and then eventually, I got an internship at NBCUniversal. After my internship at NBCUniversal, I left New York to join the NBCUniversal Page Program in Los Angeles. I spent my time in the Page Program, rotating across various departments such as Studios Production and Production Development. After my time in the Page Program, I joined the Universal Pictures Apprentice Program and then moved into Alternative Programming and Development, where I worked on shows such as The Voice, The Biggest Loser, Last Comic Standing, and more.

During my time at NBCUniversal, I received an opportunity to work with a filmmaker in both production and development, so I left the company and embarked on a journey that exposed me to the world of filmmaking. I worked on projects such as Wu-Tang: An American Saga, the Amazon series Harlem, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Best Man Final Chapters, and a few NBCUniversal pilots. I gained a deep insight as to what was involved in the filmmaking process and was deeply inspired by witnessing those who are masters of their craft come together to create meaningful art. I was also granted the privilege of assisting in opening the doors to others so that they could bring their ideas to life. Being able to truly witness the creative process firsthand, from development to the writers’ room and then through the production process into postproduction, was essentially film school on steroids. It was an amazing opportunity that gave me the a strong foundation to start telling my own stories and share them with the world.

In 2021, I took a leap to start building the next chapter of my life. I built a production company called The Athleap with the mission of telling stories about the human experience within the world of sports. I leaned on my personal experiences within the cycling community (I’ve been cycling since 2010), and produced and directed my first short documentary, A Race in the Sun, which revolves around the first African American woman to become a professional cyclist, Ayesha McGowan. The film is currently making its rounds on the festival circuit. I am also in pre-production on my next documentary, which will shed light on underrepresented communities in cycling.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
First and foremost, there’s the challenge of navigating the industry itself. Breaking into the world of filmmaking, requires perseverance, networking, and resilience. You have to be able to deal with rejection on a consistent basis while still staying true to your vision.

Throughout this journey, I am growing as a filmmaker, a storyteller and as I continue to navigate this journey, I’m fueled by the belief that the stories I tell have the power to inspire, empower, and effect positive change.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a storyteller documentaries, my passion lies in shining a light on the extraordinary journeys of those in sports whose stories may not have been told, yet these stories possess a depth of resilience, determination, and triumph that deserves to be celebrated and shared with the world.

I enjoy uncovering these hidden stories, crafting narratives that not only captivate audiences but also inspire and ignite a sense of empowerment. I’ve been able to delve into the lives of these remarkable athletes and have amplified their voices by shining light on the unique challenges they face on their path to greatness.

My films have garnered acclaim and recognition at various film festivals for their ability to provoke thought, challenge stereotypes, and spark meaningful conversations about inclusion and representation in sports. Each story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of sport in breaking down barriers and reshaping perceptions.

With all of the content that we have access to these days, I’m proud of the fact that I have worked hard to find inspirational stories that have not been told. I am proud of my growth as a storyteller, the confidence that I am taking to push these stories into the world, and the growth that I am experiencing as I continue to learn and improve my craft as a filmmaker.

I’m proud of myself for cultivating the confidence needed to push these stories into the world by building my production company, The Athleap. Every step has been a testament to my commitment to amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.

As I continue to learn and evolve as a storyteller, I’m fueled by the knowledge that there are countless more stories waiting to be told, and I’m excited to tell them.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories are of my entire family gathering for Holidays, cookouts, and family reunions. I grew up in a large community filled with an abundance of love, support, and elders who encouraged me to go out into the world to pursue my wildest dreams and have supported me every step of the way. My grandmother, Jonnie Mae Outten, was the pillar of our family and always had the utmost confidence and belief in me, even at a very early age. She played a significant role in shaping my values and instilling faith in me from an early age. Family and community are my backbone, and I am thankful that as a child, I was able to experience strong foundation of love and support from my family that ultimately contributed to giving me the confidence needed to go after my dreams wholeheartedly.

Contact Info:

• Website: knicolemills.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay_nic/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/knicolemills
• Other: https://theathleap.com