What’s your name?

Serina Phoenix

Where are you from?

New Orleans, Louisiana

What do you do for a living?

I am the Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Board of a bank.  In my spare time I’m a marketer and event planner.

How did we rope you into be a part of Black Folk Don’t?

One my best friends was featured in the first season and asked if I would like to participate.

What are some things that Black Folk Do that surprise most people?

We are familiar with and are fans of music outside of r&b and rap (example: I went to Coachella this year with 5 other black people.) We live in the suburbs. We attend predominantly caucasian colleges and universities.  Most people are surprised that I’m 27 and don’t have children.

After you left the interview, was there anything you wish you had said? Not said?

Honestly, I can’t remember.  I don’t think so.  But I’m sure the discussions could have continued on forever.

The moment you realized you were Black.

Oh geez. I grew up in a relatively diverse environment, so I was aware of race and color early on. I think the moment I really realized I was black is when I transferred to a predominantly African American elementary school in 3rd grade.  Most people would probably think it would be the other way around.  I’m pretty sure I’ve always known I was black.  But, for some reason, this new school just made it blatantly obvious.

One stereotype about Black people that frustrates you.

Just one? One that has always frustrated me is the theory that if we speak proper english and are mild mannered then we’re uppity.

Here’s your chance to blatantly promote yourself or something you care about.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of such a great project.  Follow me on twitter @serinaphx to check out everything (a lot) I’m involved in and care about.

What’s your name?
L. J. Domino

Where are you from?
New Orleans

What do you do for a living?
Film Programmer / Event Manager

How did we rope you into be a part of Black Folk Don’t?
That Tucker Gurl is a friend.

What are some things that Black Folk Do that surprise most people?
Lately I’ve been getting a surprised reaction when people find out I’m a black Catholic. I thought this was a common place thing but people have reacted like I’ve said I’m a black Republican.

After you left the interview, was there anything you wish you had said? Not said?
I wished I didn’t say most of the things I said, my grandma will watch this!

The moment you realized you were Black.
I don’t think I had to quote Oprah an ‘Aha moment” with my blackness.

One stereotype about Black people that frustrates you.
This is a stereotype that mostly comes from the black community, because of the way I speak I’ve been told constantly I’m trying to be white. It’s frustrating, annoying and sad.

Here’s your chance to blatantly promote yourself or something you care about.
I’m the Program Manager for Media That Matters™, our eleventh collection of short films launches on October 27 in New York. Visit our website for more details.

What’s your name?

Brittney Taylor a.k.a. Marvel Nikel

Where are you from?

Mount Vernon, NY

What do you do for a living?

I recently retired from being a student (which really means I just graduated from grad school and am still in search of a full-time job).

How did we rope you into be a part of Black Folk Don’t?

I like Black folk! And I feel a little iffy about stereotypes (some of them at least) so I thought it might be cool. Plus who wouldn’t want to contribute to a documentary about Black folks.

What are some things that Black Folk Do that surprise most people?

Ummm, some of us have never gone to jail. We can succeed in school. Some of us do go to jail, but are actually intelligent anyway.

After you left the interview, was there anything you wish you had said? Not said?

Nothing in particular, but it got me thinking: Stereotypes are risky business. If people are decent they verbalize them only amongst friends who already understand that they are just making generalizations and that they do not believe the stereotype to be true of everyone who is generalized about, or even most of them. However, I revealed stereotypes to strangers, who were recording me at that. So I hope I didn’t come off as a jerk.

The moment you realized you were Black.

I found out what black really meant when I was very young. I was very into coloring and had all the Crayola colors. So I proceeded to ask my mother, who is black but light skinned, what color she was because I know people around us were called “black”, but she was too light to be “black”. I asked if she was peach, burnt sienna, beige, etc. but then she explained to me that we were all just black and that label had very little to do with actual skin color.

One stereotype about Black people that frustrates you?

This one comes from both sides of the fence (i.e. from blacks and non-blacks), that black people aren’t intelligent. I hate being told I’m really smart (like its surprise) or I speak white, or whatever (I got this a lot more when I was younger, like in high school). And I also hate when people (all types of people, but I’m mostly talking about non-blacks here) are overwhelmingly impressed by the schools I’ve gone to. It makes it seem like there’s a cap on “Normal” black intelligence, and that is just utterly not true.

Here’s your chance to blatantly promote yourself or something you care about.

Ooo, I have blogs! If you go to MarvelNikel.tumblr.com you’ll find links to all my different blogs.

Crystal on set

 Crystal “DJ Crystal Clear” Durant

Where are you from?

Born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania – and lived in Philly, Hollywood, California, and have been a New Yorker for 16 years!

What do you do for a living?

I am a Graphic Designer/Art Educator/DJ/Singer/Screen Printer, and much more than meets the eye!

How did we rope you into be a part of Black Folk Don’t?

I responded to a VERY INTERESTING Craigslist post while looking for a new Visual Art Teaching job. Angela is a fabulous person, and I knew that while talking to her, I wanted in!

What are some things that Black Folk Do that surprise most people?

That Black Folk ACTUALLY DO?  Hmmm.  I usually get lots of weird stares when I tell people that I was a lifeguard and swimming instructor once.  Probably because they know how Black Women are about their hair – but I did that in High School when it wasn’t a big deal.

Little Crystal and her family

I won’t know that until I see the entire series, but I have very few regrets in life.

The moment you realized you were Black.

I grew up in an all white area of Allentown in the late 60′s, early 70′s.  So probably when we were getting bomb threats and crosses burned on our lawn, or when the township wouldn’t let us get water – pretty much since birth! 

One stereotype about Black people that frustrates you/

That just about all Black women have multiple kids by multiple men.  Mostly because I’m in my 40′s, never married, and single – so when I go out with Black men (which isn’t often) THAT’S usually the FIRST question I’m asked.  AND BECAUSE I DON’T have any kids, they look at me like I’m crazy!  Ain’t THAT some shit?

As an Arts Educator for the past 15 years, and having experienced the horrors of NYC public education that just about killed me, I’m on a mission to ring a loud bell and wake people up to the fact that our society is DOOMED and will continue to be that way until people REALLY START CARING ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION and STOP BLAMING TEACHERS for how bad it is.  I dare you to come and do what I do and not change your thinking. 

Here’s your chance to blatantly promote yourself or something you care about. 

I’m a Pop Culture Demolition Specialist at the website FORCES OF GEEK where I have a biweekly blog called The DuRANT.  I’ve been blasting on Movies, TV, Film, Fashion, you name it for a few years now.  Check me out and feel free to leave comments on my RANTS!

If you need a KICK-ASS DJ or singer, give me a shout at DJCrystalClear@me.com!

Baratunde Thurston

What’s your name?

Baratunde Thurston

Where are you from?

Born and raised in DC. Lived in Boston for 12 years. Escaped. Now reside in Brooklyn.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a politically-active, technology-loving comedian from the future.

How did we rope you into be a part of Black Folk Don’t?

I guess I’m a bit of an expert. I’ve been black for over 30 years.

What are some things that Black Folk Do that surprise most people?

If it’s not in a popular song or TV show and black folks are doing it, that’s probably a surprise to a good number of people.

The moment you realized you were Black.

It was a clear black night, a clear white moon. Warren G was on the streets, trying to consume– just kidding. It was actually cloudy that day. I was in kindergarten and had a crush on a little white girl. I knew we were of different races, at least subconsciously, because I would sing “Ebony & Ivory” across the playground at her.

One stereotype about Black people that frustrates you.

That we’re all amazing dancers. I mean, I actually am an amazing dancer, but it just doesn’t seem fair that millions of people are expected to live up to this music video standard. The president is a terrible dancer, but he’s still black!

Here’s your chance to blatantly promote yourself or something you care about. 

I have written a book called How To Be Black (Buy on Amazon). It comes out Jan 31 from Harper Collins. It’s going to be pretty ridiculous and amazing, and anyone interested in your Black Folk Don’t project will want to purchase several copies in various formats, all on January 31, which is the day it comes out. My book, that is. How To Be Black.