Meet Imani-grace King | Writer & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Imani-grace King and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Imani-Grace, what matters most to you?
Authenticity is paramount for me. When my actions and words align with what I truly believe, I feel more confident in my ability to get the job done. I find that things flow together with more ease. I feel more invigorated and patient with the creative process and challenges that arise. I think if you’re being authentic to who you are and feel – you can positively influence and impact anyone you collaborate with. And hopefully, when someone witnesses me doing what’s authentic to me, they will feel empowered to do the same.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I hope that my art allows others to feel seen in a specific way. I don’t aim to heal, transform, or change an audience’s worldview. My hope is that my art, whether an essay, monologue, or film, allows you to feel less lonesome in what it means to be human. I hope that when you engage with anything I’ve created, you can process your hard emotions, current circumstances, complex relationships, or past experiences with just a bit more empathy and understanding for yourself. My new film: Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps is a culmination of this desire – really excited to see where it lands in audience’s hearts and minds.

I’m excited about the stories that are being elevated today! I think people are beginning to realize how much their stories matter, and that specificity and intention are key.

When I first started out, I just wanted to prove that I could actually finish something! (She laughs with self-deprecating honesty) I had a lot of stories and feelings inside me that needed to be expressed. I began writing and publishing my work on social media, sharing it with my network. This was a delicate time for me because I needed affirmation from people who knew me—someone other than my mom to tell me that this was worth it. I kept sharing, and slowly but surely, I was able to take on larger projects and find more opportunities to get paid for writing, acting, and producing.

The easy path is lovely, but it doesn’t always contribute to my overall growth. So, I’m grateful to say this path hasn’t been easy. It’s been filled with moments of walking into the unknown, relying on the confidence that I have the tools to figure things out—definitely not easy. I’ve had many disappointments and moments when I felt silly for pursuing what feels like my purpose. But you push through, find those moments that make it all worth it, and then—boom—you’ve passed the storm. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s made me a better person overall.

I want the world to know that if my dreams deserve breath and attention, yours do too.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here’s my ideal day! We’d start our day with a morning walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, taking in the peaceful views and people watching at Unity Park before grabbing breakfast sandwiches and fresh coffee at the Swamp Rabbit Café.

For lunch, we’d head to The Commons at Wellborn for a beer flight and tacos, soaking in the immaculate vibes of dogs, kids, adults and sunshine. Then, we’d explore Downtown Greenville, visiting M.Judson Booksellers for a cozy coffee and browse. You pick one book for me, I pick one for you. Then we have to go to Vintage Now Modern to discover unique antiques and art that makes you feel like everything is going to be alright.

Please note — this is all filled with long conversations about the big and small things in life.

Dinner would be at Coral, where we’d sit at the bar to indulge in a Coral crush burger, calamari fries, and sticky toffee pudding. We’d end the night at the Peace Center for a show or head to the Bohemian Hotel’s piano bar to enjoy cocktails with a view of Falls Park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who deserve a shoutout in my story. I’ll start with a person, a group, and then a book.

The person — Dr. Cynthia King. I am everything I am because of her and would be nothing without her. She affirms me and her children with such vigor and love while navigating the unknowns of her own life. She’s always open to learning and growth, which is both inspiring and amazing. She makes my whole world spin with her humor, lessons, and love.

The group — my friends. I don’t know what I did in a past life to deserve the friends I have in this one. They are powerhouses of empowerment and love, driven and passionate about what they do and who they are. They make me feel limitless through catch-up dinners, impromptu travel, long phone calls during walks, and their unconditional support.

The book — All About Love by Bell Hooks. This book helped me become a better person and, in turn, a better creative. It taught me that love is about allowing each other’s souls to evolve — and that sums up why I make art!

Website: https://imanigraceking.com

Instagram: @imanigraceking

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imani-grace-king/

Image Credits
Gabi Rumph