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As a speaker and educator, I use the foundations of anti-oppression and social justice to introduce a distinct perspective to diversity and inclusion work in creative spaces.
MY COACHING METHOD
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AWARENESS
It all starts by becoming aware of the things that have remained unseen to us… until now.
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ANALYSIS
Before jumping in, it’s important to analyze our new awareness and gain insight from others.
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ACTION
Then comes the time to take action so that we can improve our content and our culture.
You can’t know what you don’t know.
My guidance will never come from a place of judgement. We are all constantly learning from one another and from the environment around us. Each day our point of view broadens as we are challenged to consider other perspectives. I am here to shed light on hidden areas so that opportunities for new awareness can be considered throughout your work.
My work strengthens and elevates the content, teams, and practices within the company.
Diversity Editing
A Diversity Editor expands the lens through which your story is told so that it includes the unique perspectives of the characters you've worked so hard to imagine and build throughout your script.
For creators and writers with material that deals with a variety of different and distinct issues and characters, I work to ensure their story is told in an honest and authentic way. This allows the story to soar without restricting or alienating potential collaborators and viewers.
I coordinate on the ground floor at various stages of production to ensure retention of creative authenticity surrounding diversity.
Problematic practices negatively affect employees and clients as well as the product. I work with executives and producers to ensure authentic practices at the leadership level by examining the culture within the institution, pinpointing problematic areas, and expanding upon the positive constructs.
Additionally, I help to ensure management has the tools to hire and grow diverse teams immediately and over time so that this work gets organically woven into the way the company operates.
My work centers creative spaces with a focus on scripted media content. Click the button below to find out more about my work and how we can work together for the benefit of your team and company.
upcoming
course
ACTIVATE 101
For Allies, Advocates, and Accomplices
A 5-week WORKSHOP LEARNING TO
bridge the gap
between your intention and your impact
TESTIMONIALS
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If you're willing to admit that you have blind spots and genuinely care how you present characters who don't come from your same walk of life, Marisa can help with sensitive insights and honest, constructive feedback. All in all, she's a sincere collaborator eagerly fighting the good fight to elevate awareness. It's been a pleasure to work with her on Monument, and I look forward to having her in our corner for projects down the road.
Ben Gouldthorpe, Writer
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Marisa Kennedy is a talented screenwriter with actor training which amplifies her ability to edit story and craft character in ways most screenwriters cannot.
As a Black woman with social justice background, she is able to share her background, first hand experience and learned knowledge in screenwriting, which makes her an incredibly effective story consultant who can consult on the rewriting of stereotypically-written characters, with the end result being a screenplay with representative inclusive arcs and dynamic, elevated works of well-structured story.
Vanessa King, Producer
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Marisa worked as my co-writer for the first three episodes of my digital series and then she stayed on my team as a consultant and Diversity Editor. I can say with absolute confidence that Marisa is an asset to any team that is lucky enough to have her.
As a co-writer, she brought pitch alternatives and solutions to the room, always unafraid of sharing a different perspective. As a diversity editor, Marisa's input was invaluable while I was writing for a group of characters from various backgrounds, many different than my own. I can't wait to bring her on for future projects.
Millie Torchetti, Creator
press
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forbes
“Final Draft Joins The Fight For Inclusion In Hollywood”
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Final draft
“The Necessity of Diversity Editors In Hollywood”
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Hip Hop Film Festival
Celebrity Judge - Act Up! Screenwriting Competition
