Meet Nkem DenChukwu | Author/Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nkem DenChukwu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nkem, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
With my Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration, I struggled to get a job in the industry, and experienced sexual harassments and discrimination. My unexpected bad/interesting experiences led me to embracing my passion for creative writing, and eventually becoming a film producer. The single most important decision I made that contributed to my (ongoing) success was being determined to learn, survive, grow, and share.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Though I do not sketch and paint with brushes, I see myself as a bonafide artist. I am passionate about creative writing; so I write books for children, teens, and young adults. I am a filmmaker. I have written 12 books and produced 13 independent films since I delved into the arts in 2012. I make time to watch and capture butterflies and birds of the air glide, and alligators. I also watch and capture the sun as it rises and sets. I love to cook. So, I cook gourmet meals (especially), and not because my kitchen came with the house. I love to watch my friends and family enjoy my homemade meals. I am unapologetically authentic. That’s for sure! One of my strengths is my positive attitude. I wear hope and joy on my face because I have unwavering faith in God. Therefore, I anchor my hope, fears, dreams, pain, weaknesses, and all that I am & hope to be on God. As a woman and a Black woman living in America, I face several challenges. Twelve years ago, I learned that my experiences are not meant to break me, but to pass through it, mold me in the process, and grow stronger to become a better version of myself. I never allow my challenges to guide my thoughts and actions. As a filmmaker, I learned to be more patient. Otherwise, I’d have lost my mind. The stress of producing can be overwhelming, but can also be rewarding. I am determined, focused, hopeful, ambitious, hilarious, tenacious, vivacious, unstoppable through Christ, and all that I am meant to become. Each day, I grow. I choose to grow. It is the only way to become a better version of myself. When I learn, I grow. When I learn, I teach. When I teach, we all grow.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
1) Definitely make sumptuous foods. 2) Go to the beautiful Nature Trails in my neighborhood 3) Go for a run on a nearby school tracks. 4) Catch a movie at the theatre. 5) Chill at home and catch up (well, this will be done everyday for sure. Catching up on our yesteryears, that is) 6) Go to some of my favorite restaurants in Houston – Trulucks, Fogo De Chao 7) Drive to Austin or San Antonio 8) Make time to go to the spa or take turns to soak in the jacuzzi 9) Go to Cullinan Park to watch birds, and hopefully, see alligators. We have some in my neighborhood (true story)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Fantastic 4 (my children), mother, siblings, my handful of all-weather friends, and my social media friends and fans.

Website: www.nkemdenchukwu.com
Instagram: @nkemdenchukwu
Linkedin: Nkem DenChukwu
Twitter: @nkemdenchukwu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenChukwu.Nkem
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTXhJF8LRBdvEcwGbS6daCg

Image Credits
Joseph Profit (Dallas, Texas)