Courage and Community: Kerry David’s Fight Against Injustice
- Courage and Community: Kerry David’s Fight Against Injustice Devin Thorpe 25:47
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Devin: What is your superpower?
Kerry: People, when I’m interviewed, continually say to me, you’re fearless, you’re fearless, you’re fearless. But I’m not fearless at all. I think my superpower, if I have one, is that I will lean into things that scare me. I may appear fearless to other people, but I’m not. Trust me! I feel the fear, but I’m never going to run away from fear. I will lean into fear.
Author’s note: North Carolina, especially Asheville, but also including the broader region, was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Please consider joining me in making a donation to Rotary International, where the funds will be distributed locally where needed and will be matched by the Rotary Foundation.
In today’s episode, I had the honor of speaking with filmmaker Kerry David, who has dedicated her career to telling impactful stories through her lens. Her latest project, “Open Secret,” delves into a difficult subject—systemic child abuse and the corruption that allowed it to continue in North Carolina schools. Despite the heartbreaking topic, Kerry finds and showcases the resilience of individuals fighting to make a difference.
Kerry’s journey with this project began unexpectedly when she moved to North Carolina. Initially hesitant to take on another heavy subject, Kerry ultimately decided to lend her talents to highlight a story of immense courage. “The film really is about the courage to challenge something in your community that isn’t working despite this being detrimental potentially to your own self,” she shared.
What makes this project truly unique is Kerry’s decision to raise funds through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. This approach allows people from all over the country to participate in the movement against abuse in schools. “Allowing people everywhere to invest in this film is a way of helping to maximize your audience, maximize the impact, maximize the reach,” she explained. By involving the community, Kerry aims to spark a national conversation and prevent future tragedies.
This opportunity to invest in a project that combines social impact with powerful storytelling is rare, and Kerry’s passion shines through every frame of her work. If you’re moved by this story, consider joining the effort to support change—just as Kerry has done.
tl;dr:
* In today’s episode, Kerry David shared her experience transitioning from working at Paramount Pictures and with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman to starting her own production company and directing impactful documentaries.
* Kerry discussed her latest project, “Open Secret,” which explores systemic abuse in North Carolina schools and the courage of community members who fought against the corruption that enabled it.
* Kerry emphasized her superpower of leaning into fear, recounting a challenging decision to change filming locations for safety during her previous project, demonstrating her ability to balance courage with prudence.
* The episode highlighted Kerry’s initiative in founding the nonprofit Over and Above Africa, which supports anti-poaching efforts and raises awareness through film.
* Kerry explained her decision to use crowdfunding on WeFunder for her latest film to involve and empower communities nationwide to tackle systemic issues beyond North Carolina.
How to Develop Leaning into Fear As a Superpower
Kerry’s superpower is her ability to “lean into fear.” She doesn’t ignore or try to eliminate fear—instead, she faces it head-on, refusing to let it control her decisions or actions. This willingness to confront fear, rather than shy away from it, allows Kerry to push boundaries and take on challenging projects that make a difference in the world.
One powerful example of Kerry leaning into fear came during the production of her last film. She and her crew were scheduled to Travel from South Africa to Uganda, but just days before, a nearby kidnapping involving three British citizens left her in a state of intense fear for her team’s safety. Despite initially wanting to go ahead, Kerry made the difficult decision to pivot and film in Vietnam instead. This decision, rooted in both courage and concern for her crew’s safety, ultimately kept them out of harm’s way.
To develop this superpower, Kerry suggests several actionable strategies:
* Evaluate the consequences of not acting. Consider how avoiding a fearful situation could lead to missed opportunities or negative outcomes.
* Honor your moral compass. When you know something is the right thing to do, face the fear and act anyway.
* Start with small acts of courage. Practicing courage when the stakes are low helps build confidence for larger challenges.
* Accept that fear is normal. Understand that feeling fear doesn’t mean you’re weak—it’s an opportunity to show strength by moving forward despite it.
By following Kerry’s example and advice, you can make leaning into fear a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Kerry David (she/her):
Filmmaker and Philanthropist , KDC Films
About KDC Films: My company is KDC Films. Now in our 11th year, we produce, write, direct and fundraise for feature films and documentaries – soon to expand into series.
Website: WeFunder.com/OpenSecret
Instagram Handle: @Opensecretthefilm
Other URL: OverAndAboveAfrica.com
Biographical Information: Kerry David is an award-winning filmmaker with an extensive career in film production. She began at Paramount Pictures, later working for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman on major projects such as “Mission Impossible 2” and “Eyes Wide Shut.” She then launched her own production company, producing films including “Agent Cody Banks,” “My Date with Drew,” and “Like Dandelion Dust,” which won over 35 festival awards globally.
Kerry has directed impactful documentaries like “Breaking Their Silence,” focusing on women fighting against poaching, and “Open Secret,” highlighting corruption in a North Carolina school district. She also founded Over and Above Africa, a nonprofit supporting endangered species and communities in Africa. Kerry’s passion for social issues and Education through Entertainment drives her ongoing work in creating inspiring and impactful films.
Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/KerryDavid
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