Black-owned creative studio Equator Productions (founded by Brooklyn-born filmmaker Anthony Prince Leslie) has partnered with newly-formed nonprofit In The Blk to release five films that showcase global Black designers and creatives. The series was executively produced by Ashley Cimone with lead costume design by Ade Samuel and Memsor Kamarake. Filmed across Lagos, London, Los Angeles and New York, these films speak to the solidarity found within Black communities. 

The word Àṣẹ, used for the title of this film, is taken from the Yoruba concept of spiritual power. Director Anthony Prince Leslie distils this West African philosophy into three words: “soul, light, spirit or good vibrations”. Àṣẹcelebrates matriarchs in all forms and their importance in our lives and communities.

"The cast was a very important part of bringing Àṣẹ to life. I wanted to include leaders in our black community who use their art and voice as a way to break barriers—including visual artist and activist Gianni Lee, movement artist Nana Yaa, jewelry design label Third Crown, and trans activist Tatiana Miyake Mugler (spotlight scene) to name a few," says Leslie. "Pioneering model and activist Bethanne Hardison represents the matriarch and her importance in leading emerging black creatives towards a more equitable future.”

Watch the the other films in the series:
Rejoice Resist by Elisha Smith-Leverock
Identity by Ademola Falomo
Rebel Seed by Sean Frank
We Do by Numa Perrier