D’Angela Proctor Of of Undaunted Content: “No man or woman is an island; You may get ahead alone, but you can’t stay there alone”
An Interview With Elana Cohen
No man or woman is an island. You may get ahead alone, but you can’t stay there alone.
Life is designed to be relational, and the business of Hollywood is extraordinarily relationship driven. Nearly every opportunity that I’ve had in this business came about through relationships.
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing D’Angela Proctor.
D’Angela Proctor is the Founder of Undaunted Content, a minority and women’s certified consulting firm and production company aimed at empowering diverse voices in entertainment.
She recently executive produced and directed “Keyshia Cole: This is My Story” (Lifetime), executive produced “The Holiday Stocking” (Hallmark), “Line Sisters” (Lifetime), and “Eggs Over
Easy” (OWN). Undaunted Content is currently working on a host of projects, including collaborations with Netflix, Lifetime, and Hallmark. She is the former CEO of Justin Baldoni’s
Wayfarer Entertainment, Head of Production & Business Development at Codeblack, a Lionsgate Company, and Head of Original Programming & Production at TV One. Proctor also consulted for such clients as Ava DuVernay’s Array Filmworks, Hulu, Kendrick Sampson’s BLD
PWR, a confidential production company, and SPAC. Proctor is also a recipient of several industry awards, including seven NAACP Image Awards, a GLAAD Award, and NAMIC Vision Awards.
Before becoming a network executive, Proctor was a film and television production veteran, having co-owned and operated Strange Fruit Media for 15 years. In this capacity, among many independent projects, she served as an executive producer and creative consultant to BET at the helm of multiple projects, including NAACP Image Award winner “Sunday Best.” Before Entering the media business, the Houston, Texas native practiced labor and employment defense law at Reed, Smith, Shaw & McClay in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she litigated cases for clients in the banking, public utilities, and corporate sectors. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Spelman College and a Juris Doctorate and Master’s in Leadership from Duquesne University.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better.Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
When an opportunity arose for me to pivot from practicing law, my then-husband and I moved to Atlanta, GA, with the hopes that I could get into entertainment law. When that didn’t happen, I ever so briefly interned at LaFace Records. And by brief, I mean two weeks. During that period, I was introduced to my soon-to-be business partner. In 1998, we launched Strange Fruit Films, a production company designed to service Atlanta’s burgeoning music video industry. We produced music videos for Nas, Outkast, Three 6 Mafia, and Naughty by Nature, to name a few. Within the first year of operating Strange Fruit, we were sent a script for a movie that needed immediate financing. It was the very first script that I had ever read. Because the script was funny, and the film was already pre-produced and cast, we cobbled together the financing and were in Los Angeles making a movie in less than a month. And that’s where my filmmaking career began.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Of the most interesting moments I’ve experienced since embarking on my career was having the honor to produce not just one but two “In Performance at the White House” specials with none other than my forever President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of meeting numerous remarkable individuals, yet this encounter was different. There was something profound about being in the presence of the first African American president — a man who not only held the most powerful office in the world but also represented a symbol of possibility and hope for many.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
While it may be commonplace to categorize certain experiences as mistakes, I perceive them as opportunities for growth and learning. I realize this perspective might sound cliché, but it genuinely reflects my approach to life.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
The person I hold in deepest gratitude for shaping my path is Thelma Johnson, my journalism teacher at Jack Yates Senior High School of Communications. She was the one who first uncovered my potential and introduced me to the power of storytelling. Under her guidance, I not only became the editor of our award-winning newspaper but also grew to appreciate the nuance and impact of a well-crafted narrative.
Furthermore, Ms. Johnson was instrumental in my journey beyond academics. She sponsored my participation as a debutante, setting the stage for my initiation into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Spelman College. Alpha Kappa Alpha continues to be a source of sisterhood and strength for me.
I hail from the Third Ward of Houston, Texas, an inner-city neighborhood that was hugely impacted by the crack cocaine epidemic in the 1980s. The plight of my community often made me reflect on a biblical question, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” I have posed the same question of my hometown — can any good emerge from a place that has oscillated between poverty and extreme poverty?
My answer is an unequivocal ‘yes.’ Just like Nazareth, Third Ward has been a cradle of resilience and potential. It has shaped me, given me my spirit, my grounding, my work ethic, and my ambition. So, despite the odds, I remain an unwavering testament to the potential that can be nurtured in even the most challenging of environments.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
My advice to those embarking on a career in entertainment is reflected in the very name of my company — ‘Undaunted Content.’ This serves as an enduring reminder of the courage and determination required to succeed in this industry. The greatest gift I have, and one I encourage others to cultivate, is unwavering faith — in oneself and in God, my higher power.
In my journey, I’ve found strength in the belief that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, placed by a divine plan. It’s this trust in myself and in God that has empowered me to push through any hurdle that comes my way. So, to anyone who feels daunted by the prospect of failure, remember this — you are here for a reason, you are equipped with all you need, and you are capable of extraordinary things. Stay undaunted, remain steadfast in your faith, and let that guide you toward your purpose.
Every industry iterates and seeks improvement. What changes would you like to see in the industry going forward?
First and foremost, I would put an end to the ongoing strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). If I could, I would wave my magic wand to end these strikes by addressing the writers’ and actors’ concerns regarding more equitable compensation and assurances that their work will not be replaced by artificial intelligence. As an independent producer, I would also have the WGA offer a reduced pay scale for independent producers who cannot pay the current WGA minimums.
Next, the entertainment industry needs to recommit to its so-called diversity initiatives that arose after the death of George Floyd. It’s disheartening to see the rollback of diversity hires that were once celebrated as a step forward for the industry.
Lastly, the high-pressure environment of the entertainment industry often takes a toll on mental health. Prioritizing the psychological well-being of individuals working in the industry and providing them with the necessary support and resources should be a central concern moving forward.
These are some of the changes that, I believe, would greatly improve the industry, making it more equitable, diverse, and healthy.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
Thank you for recognizing my work. Presently, I’m involved in a number of exciting projects that I am passionate about. In the film arena, I’m preparing to independently produce and direct a narrative project that will come to life by the end of this year.
On the entrepreneurial front, I’m deeply invested in a couple of promising start-ups that fuel my entrepreneurial spirit. These ventures are at a pivotal stage where we’re hopeful of securing funding within the next 6–9 months.
Looking ahead, I envision myself involved in a portfolio of diverse businesses with their own revenue streams. I see myself partnering with talented and like-minded individuals, working on projects that challenge and push boundaries. My trajectory is not just about multiplying my personal business interests but also about nurturing creativity, collaboration, and commerce.
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
Inspiration through Representation: The statement, “Often, we need to see a thing before we can become a thing,” sums up the power of visual storytelling. For example, we saw numerous portrayals of a Black President in film and television before we witnessed it become a reality in the United States. Such representation creates a mental model, fueling dreams and aspirations, especially for the youth who learn to visualize their potential through film and television.
Breaking Stereotypes: It’s crucial to look beyond the stereotypical portrayals of Black characters, often reduced to criminals or sports figures in mainstream media. By diversifying the roles and narratives, we present a more comprehensive, authentic image of our community. Narrative film and television have the potential to widen the spectrum of representation that goes beyond stereotypes.
Contextual Understanding: Storytelling in film and television allows us to delve deeper into the circumstances that shape characters and their actions. Even when diverse characters are depicted as criminals, we have the opportunity to explore the ‘why’ behind their actions, fostering a greater understanding and empathy among viewers.
These three reasons are profoundly impactful on our culture and particularly on the youth growing up today. Seeing diverse representation in media can inspire young people to dream big while breaking stereotypes can change perceptions and attitudes about their community. Moreover, the nuanced understanding of characters fosters empathy and helps cultivate a more inclusive, accepting society.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real.
Fear often arises from our erroneous perceptions or limiting beliefs that are not based on actual evidence or reality. I am not afraid to share that I’ve allowed fear to stand in the way of my decision-making. In retrospect, when I left TV One in 2018, I did so intending to launch my own production company, but I didn’t and joined Lionsgate out of fear that I wouldn’t be successful at launching a production company on my own. That was nearly five years ago and that makes me think how much further along Undaunted Content would be had I just been undaunted enough to start then. I even named my company Undaunted as a constant reminder of what’s required of me on this journey.
- No man or woman is an island. You may get ahead alone, but you can’t stay there alone.
Life is designed to be relational, and the business of Hollywood is extraordinarily relationship driven. Nearly every opportunity that I’ve had in this business came about through relationships.
- Ambition is not a dirty word. It is okay to be ambitious and to have drive.
Being raised in the church led me to believe that having ambition is sinful. Ambition was considered the opposite of contentment and a detachment from worldly desires. I’ve grown to believe that ambition is necessary to endure and to drive personal growth and innovation. I now look at ambition like money. The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil, not money itself. There is nothing wrong with ambition in and of itself. It’s excessive ambition that can lead you to make self-centered decisions that harm others.
- Humility does not require you to dim your light.
For a long time, I would shy away from public accolades, and I still cringe when I see people self-promote. Don’t judge, I’m still working to be delivered from that. A friend once shared a Marianne Williamson quote with me that resonated with me — “Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.” I will endeavor to not dim my light because it’s not about me, but the next me.
- You are never as bad as you think, and at the same time, you are never as good as you think.
On one hand, I tend to be overly critical of myself. For any project that I have ever worked on, I assume the worst that the audience won’t like it as much as I do. With Keyshia Cole: This is My Story, I knew that we had a great story and that the project couldn’t have been better given the resources and circumstances under which we made the movie. However, I wasn’t sure that Keyshia Cole’s diehard fans would embrace the movie. Thankfully, I was wrong. The movie was viewed 3 million times on premiere night. On the other hand, when I occasionally believe that I’ve knocked something out of the park, I’ve been wrong. This has been especially true in situations where I’ve been interviewed for a job or opportunity. In essence, the lesson here is the importance of self-awareness and realistic self-evaluation. While embracing a healthy level of self-confidence, we should remain humble and open to improvement. It is all about balance.
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices, or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
For self-care, I don’t require much because I’ve set my home up to be my sanctuary. I have friends over as often as I can, and I pray and meditate quite a bit. When I do need self-care, I endeavor to go to an all-inclusive beach resort somewhere in the world where I can recharge and reassess. I am a vacationer and not a traveler, which means my idea of a good time isn’t sightseeing but a beach where I can have a cocktail, eat, read, sleep, rinse, and repeat. I always take Life Plan Workbook with me which poses questions that prompt me to look into myself so that I know what it is that I want from my life. I look at my values and the things that give me a sense of meaning in life. I identify the activities that are satisfying to me and the situations where I’ve been really happy, proud, and fulfilled. I then brainstorm everything that I might want to do, be, or have in all areas of my life. I narrow these many dreams down to a core list that I really want to experience. From there, I set goals that can turn these dreams into a rich, inspiring vision of my future. And finally, I organize myself for success by creating a plan. Clarity is self-care for me. Having and revisiting a focused plan for my life is my definition of self-care.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My go-to life lesson quote is the profound poem, Invictus, which says, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” This resonates with my life in a way that transcends the literal meaning of these words. It acts as a constant reminder to me that regardless of the circumstances life throws my way, the power to navigate through them lies within me. It exemplifies the idea that I always have the ability, the choice, and the power to determine my next steps. Despite the inevitable uncertainties and failures that come my way, it’s me who holds the reins.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I had the power to inspire a movement, it would be a “Scream Day.” In my life, I’ve often found a scream to be a therapeutic release. I envision a world where people are allowed, or rather, encouraged, to vocalize their emotions freely at a designated time, right where they stand.
Given the trials and tribulations of our current world — the pandemic, economic instability, rampant and unapologetic racism, war, and a climate of hate and divisiveness, who wouldn’t need a moment to let it all out? Such an act should be embraced, not judged.
While the concept of a designated ‘Scream Day’ might sound far-fetched, I genuinely believe that people should give it a try. A hearty scream can serve as a catalyst for healing, a symbol of resilience, and a beacon of hope in challenging times.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
I would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with my Spelman sister, Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance and one of only two Black women CEOs of a Fortune 500 company. I’d want to talk to her because we have Spelman in common. I’ve heard her speak before, but I would love to dive deeper into how she promotes and presents herself in the white spaces she’s worked in.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
IG: deeproctor
Twitter: dee_proctor
Facebook, Linkedin: D’Angela Proctor
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
