Episode 37: Lori Webster

Explicit content warning

10/06/20 • 60 min

There are very few black female filmmakers that have been acknowledged by mainstream media and Hollywood. By no means does it mean that the work of such artists is not good enough. Kasi Lemmons, Ava DuVernay, Julie Dash and Euzhan Palsy are but a few that have had the opportunity to breakthrough. Their work is exquisite, only surpassed by their work ethic.

It is from this lineage and tutelage that Lori Webster emerges. Lori grew up in a small town in North Carolina. She was fascinated with stories and more importantly storytelling as far back as her childhood years. That fascination led her to shoot, direct and edit her first film by her teens. She admits that the film was her 16-year old interpretation of John Singleton’s Boys in the Hood set in her beloved North Carolina.

Lori’s experimental film solidified her love for the artform and ushered her thoughts in one direction. When others were wondering what their major would be in college, Lori knew that she was destined for the world of media. She was convinced that being a storyteller was her calling. A series of life events including pageants, (she’ll tell you about that later) and travel to several countries, plus 18-hour days at several networks has produced in my estimation one of the next great African American filmmakers.

Lori’s eye is among the best, her imagination limitless, her ability to compose and deliver stories... exceptional. From her work in documentary to narrative tales, Lori Webster is a name that you should remember. Though I have attempted to provide a brief synopsis of Lori the filmmaker, she is somewhat of a renaissance woman. In her own words,

This is the story... thus far... Of Lori Webster.

This is the story... thus far... Of Lori Webster.

Previous Episode

Episode 36: Trudy Nixon

Trudy Nixon cooks a mean pot of curry. This however is not the extend of her talents. Trudy was raised on a farm in a little town in the English countryside. By the time she had graduated high school, Trudy had developed a love for the arts and especially for language and writing.

Her University years gave her the opportunity to explore several facets of the arts both inside and outside of the classroom. While she sharpened her writing skills during the day, she explored the sights and sounds of the city at night. It was during this time that Trudy discovered her absolute passion for live music. But she’ll tell you more about that in our conversation.

After some years working in England and exploring Europe, Trudy decided to take a trip to the Caribbean to visit friends. Her travels in the archipelago took her to St. Martin. While there, she discovered Anguilla. She decided to visit. She was smitten. There was something special about Anguilla and she fell in love with the island. Trudy went back to the UK with Anguilla on her mind. She made her way back to the island sometime later and has called Anguilla home ever since.

The little girl that grew up in the countryside in Britain, has become a staple and a very important fixture in her island’s community. Trudy plays an essential role in the promotion of the island’s tourism product through among other things her magazine True Anguilla and her PR company True Communications. And by the way, Trudy loves dancing and soca music. You can offer to dance with her, but be warned, she has become a true island girl and you may not be able to keep up. She is a writer, publisher, PR consultant, chef, soca lover, dancer and so much more.

This is the story... thus far... of Trudy Nixon

Next Episode

Episode 38: Jibri Lewis

Jibri Lewis’ grandmother perfected a pastry on the island of Anguilla some decades ago. That pastry is known as a cheese patty by legions of local fans. Jibri’s dad took the cheese patty to new levels and has turned it into one of the most popular on the go meals on the island. Jibri, cannot make the cheese patty.

Though his culinary skills have much to be desired as far as the cheese patty is concerned, he makes up for it with sheer scientific genius. Jibri is very modest and quite simply one of the nicest people you will ever meet, therefore he will disapprove of my next statement. Jibri is BRILLIANT!

Few people can testify that their entry into a high school science fair was the base for a mechanism that has the potential to change the way the world produces electricity. A science fair that he did not win by the way.

Jibri’s proposal to improve an already existing wave turbine was eventually examined by professors at MIT. MIT was hungry to learn more about Jibri’s research and about Jibri himself. After some negotiation, Jibri traded his research with MIT for the opportunity to attend and earn both his bachelors and master’s degrees free of cost. In addition, the consummate island boy was not fond of Boston’s brutal winters. He further persuaded the institution to allow him to take classes from Anguilla and fly to Boston every few months for examinations. Jibri was attending University from his living room, long before Covid 19 ever thought of it.

Today, additions have been made to Jibri’s research and new wave turbines that house the essence of Jibri’s initial brilliant idea are being tested in several countries including Australia and Puerto Rico.

An idea sparked by a science fair led Jibri to become one of the world’s most celebrated young physicists. But there is so much more to tell.

This is the story... thus far... of Jibri Lewis.