And the Emmy Goes to…
Kayla Rodgers is an Emmy Award Winning Producer.
Wow.
That’s still sinking in.
I was nominated twice in one year, and a part of an award-winning team. Just in awe.
The dust has not even begun to settle. With new-found awards, accolades, fame, etc. come newfound people with opportunities; and it does happen overnight.
Over the past week I have not been able to keep up with all the e-mails, phone calls, texts, LinkedIn adds and inquiries. But I am blessed and wouldn’t have it any other way. I am happy God has allowed me to reach such a milestone at my age. Many work a lifetime and are never honored for their work in Hollywood.
I want to say congratulations to my fellow teammates, the Producers and the Creative team (art and graphic design) of the film! We knocked it out of the park! Like any production, this one came with its own moments of highs and lows. Yet, we persevered and made it happen. I’m also happy to say I’m positive most of us will be friends for life.
Just a little over 2-years ago, my life looked very different. I had just been laid off by a major news outlet in Los Angeles Fall of 2019. When I asked why, to my manager at the time (a 70-year old white man), he told me, “Your skills aren’t ready for the Los Angeles market.” The underlying meaning sounded racist to me. For those not in media, coming from CNN (or any international news source) to a local market station is actually a downgrade in the industry of journalism.
Any who, fast forward a few months to January 2020: my unemployment was delayed, and I had to do background acting to make ends meet. Yes, I am Screen Actors Guild, so I used it. Imagine being an international Journalist and Producer having to revert to being a background actress. Especially when you’re on set, you’re told you should be the lead (God is still working on this).
When the pandemic hit March 2020 and Hollywood shut down, I was even contemplating whether or not I should stay in entertainment, however my passion had always been performing arts and writing. I’m happy I listened to God and stayed the course.
I’ve had family members tell me in recent years, they expected so much more of me. Even an ex-man from my “yucky ghosts of dating past” told me I needed a more stable career for him to feel comfortable with me. DEUCES
I say these things, because when in these moments of success, it’s easy to remember all the people who didn’t believe in your journey, or you as a person; all the No’s and all the headaches from crazy employers in your 20s when you’re just getting started. People think you’ll forget, but it’s like Maya Angelou said, “People will never forget how you made them feel.”
You also never forget the people who’ve supported you and continue to support you as a constant along your journey. Those are the people you keep in good company. They weren’t afraid to dream with you and they still aren’t afraid to keep dreaming. Mom, Dad, Shanyce, Kiana, my extended family, Brandy, Sharon, Angela, Ebonie, Moshai, Alex, Luis, Chris T, Chris Webb, Rob, Jamila, Waleed, Grits, Spoon, Michele…on and on I remember specifically who has been there by name and I apologize in this note if I didn’t shout you out, you know who you are. Thanks for continuing to believe with me, continuing to dream with me and continuing to dance with me when it’s raining outside.
Looking forward, I’m excited to see what the future holds for me. I do what I do, not because I want to be acknowledged by Hollywood, but because I enjoy telling good stories. Whether I’m writing and producing, conducting interviews, or acting to embody the story of someone else; God ordained me before I was born with this purpose in life.
My message to everyone reading this is to find your purpose, find your why. If you’re doing something that is not in the will of God, it will never work, or it will always seem difficult. Passion and purpose come easy. If what you are doing and working for is solely for yourself, even monetary gain, you will always feel incomplete or not completely fulfilled. We were never put here (on earth) for ourselves. We have a purpose! And the sooner you realize what that is, the faster you get to who you were truly made to be, and you start enjoying life differently.
Something that will always stick with me are the two young Dominican ladies working the coat check for the Emmys. When I went to pick up my coat at the end of the show they stated, “We saw you on stage and we are so happy for you we almost cried. Because you’re representing all of us. All the women, women of color, and black women who have dreams. You’re representing us well. Thank you for doing that when the world doesn’t.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what it’s all about.
