Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Dann.
Hi Brooke, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Who would’ve known that the camera that I picked up years ago would create a career for this 25-year-old? In a world full of talented videographers, I was trying to find where I fit. Towards the end of my undergraduate degree, I knew I wanted to know more about the visual storytelling world. I decided to go to film school and after graduating, I was presented with the opportunity to take my talents to Oklahoma. Storytelling in the corporate and freelance arena has been my founded place. I’ve been able to work with colleges, small businesses, and agencies. While I was telling everyone else’s story in my professional career, I had yet to know my own. That’s when the journey to find my authentic self-begin.
Over a year ago, I knew there were parts of me that I couldn’t identify. I had trauma, pain, shame, and even some self-blame. I could feel myself falling into depression and I told myself I was not going to let it control me. Usually, I would let it take over and dwell in it, but something in me couldn’t take it any longer. I wanted to identify the triggers that kept me going back to those depressing thoughts. That’s when I decided to go to therapy. My therapist worked with me in the areas that I had seen as weaknesses. She taught me that they were just pieces creating my story. I made the crazy decision to use my videography skills to create videos speaking about heartfelt topics. I told myself it was my “dairy to the world.” I didn’t realize how much it was helping others until I would get follow-up messages. Fast forward to this year and I created a group that meets to speak about becoming their authentic self and we tap into mental health discussions as well. This safe space is called Authentically You. It amazes me to be able to connect with different people in so many ways. I’m also able to connect by being a council member on the Diversity and Inclusion Council and a big sister for Big Brother Big Sister.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This road hasn’t been as smooth as I had envisioned, but it has been worth every bump I had to go over. I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say self-doubt didn’t surface. However, I had to ask myself will the doubt take me? As an African American woman in this creative field, I had some unpleasant experiences. It was tough when I was in school trying to learn more about this industry. I’ve had people that wanted to help me not because of my skills, but they had another motive in mind. I’ve had people question if I’m capable to do my job as I’m performing the duties right in front of them. I’ve experienced the pain of rejection. I’ve dealt with the lows of feeling unskilled, unworthy, and unqualified in my professional and personal life. When I’m feeling discouraged, I go into my memory bank and think of the time my uncle, who passed away in 2019, would tell me how proud of me he was for persevering. He is the voice that keeps me going. The struggles I’ve been through taught me that the process isn’t punishment. Think of it as a tool shaping you for your next. God isn’t going to take you this far to leave you.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My title in the professional world is a Videographer. I have a freelance business on the side called Brooke Dann Enterprise, where I’m in both roles as a photographer and videographer. I’ve been blessed to be in a position where I helped start a company’s video department from the beginning stages. Also, I’ve been at a company where the analytics showed the increase of engagement through the video content I created. However, the work to grow never stops in this creative field. There are so many talented creatives in this field that I’m truly inspired by.
I have to say that I’m most proud of being the connector. I like to connect the stories to the audience. I like to be the one to place the pieces together to make them whole. It’s funny because people ask how I take a 15–30-minute interview and edit it into a 5-minute story. It’s because I’m connecting the pieces to make them flow and fit. I also think that some stories don’t need words it can express by a captivating image. Storytelling is like a best friend to me.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The biggest risk I have taken was packing up my life to move over 1,000 miles away. No family and little money to my name. When I told my family I received a job offer in Oklahoma, they were like, “Are you sure, Brooke?” But I just knew God wanted me to be out here. A few years later, I’m happy I decided to follow what God wanted me to do. It was scary to move to a new city by yourself but being here has brought me the biggest blessings. Moving here has helped me find myself, gain connections, grow as a corporate videographer, meet new clients, and get into a healthy relationship.
The risk created a reward that exceeded my expectations. I want to say to whoever’s reading this, the next time you want to get out of your comfort zone, do it! You will never know what’s on the other side of the door if you don’t walk through it. You’re capable you just have to believe it. Remember, your worst critic is yourself.
Contact Info:
- Email: brookedannenterprise@gmail.com
- Website: https://bit.ly/3BHUWrp
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_brookedann/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brooke.dann/
