JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT INSTALLMENT OF AFRO-PICKS, A CCCADI A VIRTUAL TALK SERIES THAT HIGHLIGHTS EMERGING FILMMAKERS AND FILMS SET IN THE COMMUNITIES OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA.
Our June program will feature the film “Secadora.” This short film explores sex & identity in the Dominican culture through the romantic comedy story of Cynthia and Laura. Their love story takes a turn for the worst when the discussion of racial identity surfaces, for which both women lack the patience and tolerance to have. “Secadora” dives into questions of sexuality, Afro Latina identity and understanding what is worth fighting for.
Our host, actor and content creator Derick James Sherrier, Jr. will sit down with filmmaker Elyssa Aquino to discuss specific scenes from the film and explore the building blocks of her storytelling.
You can revisit this page on June 22 at 7PM (EST) to view the program. You can also watch via our CCCADI Facebook or Youtube.
All month long CCCADI is honoring our ancestors who longed for and learned of their stolen freedom on June 19, 1865. We seek to continue embodying their legacy of resilience by celebrating our community’s ability to create, to inspire and to love, freely.
ELYSSA AQUINO
WRITER, DIRECTOR
Elyssa Aquino is a 29 year old Dominican woman, who was born and raised in Riverdale in the Bronx. She serves as a full time Director, DP, and Editor. Elyssa has a strong background in television and digital production and has worked with celebrities such as Oprah, Kevin Hart, and Maluma. Aside from her passion in filmmaking, she is also the CEO of her own production company called “Strange Fruit Productions” which serves as an all women of color production company that focuses on empowering women both behind and in front of the camera.
DERICK, HOST
Afro-Picks host, Derick James Sherrier, Jr is a Black/LatinX, queer, proud Gemini actor & content-creator. His artistic mediums include: playwriting, poetry, directing & podcasting. You can find Derick most consistently cohosting on @thenewyorkdose & @woodmorningtp podcasts. Outside of the arts, he is a counselor at a LGBTQIA+ emergency housing shelter for displaced youth, he manages two night-clubs & spends his time in the outdoors with ADON, a BIPOC hiking group that he created.