Sisterhood is much more than a feel-good concept. It’s a way of working, building, and creating. It’s the invisible thread running through every portrait I shoot, every interview I frame, every documentary I produce. As a photographer, videographer, lawyer, and community builder, I’ve seen firsthand that whole ecosystems begin to flourish when Black women pour into one another.
From Courtrooms to Cameras
I was trained as a lawyer, and early in my career, I worked with FIDA, the International Federation of Women Lawyers. In that space, I stood beside women navigating some of the most difficult realities: gender-based violence, discrimination, and economic hardship. I heard stories that were not just legal cases. They were stories about being unseen, unheard, and undervalued.
That experience shaped me. It taught me how layered our struggles can be and how urgent it is to create spaces for women to be truly heard. My purpose expanded beyond legal frameworks. I wanted to give voice and power in different ways. That meant picking up a camera and building something of my own.
The Birth of 1909 Media
When I founded 1909 Media Productions in Edmonton, Alberta, I wanted it to be more than a business. I wanted it to be a platform where Black women could be seen in their fullness. Not reduced to stereotypes or sidelined in narratives, but centered and celebrated.
Initially, I offered free brand portraits and consultations to women launching their businesses and nonprofits. I knew what it felt like to be full of vision yet lack the visibility and resources to bring it to life. Those early sessions were a form of solidarity. They said, “I believe in what you’re building, and I want to help you be seen.”
Over time, 1909 Media has grown into a storytelling company that now produces brand content, films, and documentaries for women leaders, creatives, and organizations across Canada and beyond. And yet, our heart remains the same. We’re still telling stories that matter.
We produce documentaries for International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day annually. These projects spotlight Black women in leadership, motherhood, and entrepreneurship. We capture their wins, talk about their struggles, sacrifices, and joys. These documentaries are more than creative pieces. They are archives of legacy. They allow women to share their truths and pass their stories on to the next generation.
Collaboration is Care
At 1909 Media, collaboration is intentional. I work with a team of incredible women: photographers, makeup artists, stylists, and videographers, who reflect the very communities we serve. On our sets, we pray together, laugh together, and support one another.
Creating a community has always been part of my approach. The creative process itself should be healing. It should leave you feeling more whole than when you started. That’s why we make space for vulnerability and connection behind the scenes, not just in the final product.
Giving Back: Obirin Empowerment
My work with women doesn’t stop at storytelling. Through the Obirin Empowerment Foundation, I lead menstrual health outreaches in Nigeria, providing girls with free sanitary pads, health education, and mentorship.
We do this because we remember what it felt like to be unprepared, embarrassed, or silenced about our bodies. We return to those communities with dignity, information, and care. We say to every girl, you matter, your body is powerful, and you are not alone.
This work is deeply personal. Whenever I hand a girl her first pad, I think about how different my journey might have been if someone had done that for me.
Storytelling with Purpose
My camera is more than a tool. It’s an extension of my purpose. Whether I’m capturing headshots for professionals, producing brand videos for entrepreneurs, or documenting community events, my goal is to create visuals that reflect truth and invite confidence.
Photography is about more than perfect angles or polished poses. It captures people as they are and helps them see their brilliance. That’s where transformation begins. When a woman sees herself clearly, she speaks, shows up, and leads differently. That shift is powerful, and I never take it for granted.
Why I Keep Showing Up
My journey, from legal advocacy to media production to nonprofit work, is rooted in the same vision. I want to build a world where women, especially Black women, feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead.
Whether telling a mother’s story, helping a founder find her visual identity, or handing a teenage girl a small token of care, I know I’m building something bigger than myself. I’m investing in an ecosystem where sisterhood is real, collaboration is normal, and joy and justice exist side by side.
What The Future Holds
As 1909 Media grows, my vision is to expand our impact while remaining rooted in the values that started it all. I want to work with more women-led organizations, train young storytellers, and one day open a creative lab for girls who want to learn photography, filmmaking, and media literacy.
We all deserve to see ourselves in full colour and full truth. And I’ll keep working until we do. Because sisterhood is not a theory to me. It’s a way of life. And when one of us is seen, uplifted, and remembered, we all rise.