"Do what you need to do, scared or not, knowledge or not. We live in an information world now; you can find out how to do anything. Practice makes perfect. When you put those two things together, and you continue to push, there's nothing that's going to stop you." —B. Danielle Watkins Dr. B. Danielle Watkins didn't plan to become an award-winning writer, director, and network executive — she was supposed to be a school psychologist. In this episode of The Purpose and Progress Podcast, Dr. Jim Price sits down with Danielle to trace the winding, unplanned path that took her from childhood writing in Buffalo winters to becoming the first Black woman to write, star, and produce in an original series on a television network. Danielle gets real about what it actually costs to build something in the film industry — lost money, unprofessional collaborators, and a phone call she had to make returning thousands of dollars to a distribution company when a project fell apart. She also talks about what kept her moving: not fearlessness, but the refusal to let fear make decisions for her. Key takeaways: Unprofessionalism in collaborative industries isn't just annoying — it can put your livelihood at risk, and learning to navigate that is part of the job. Danielle cashed in her 401k to film Season 1 of her show 3030, which went on to become the #2 show on the network in its first year. Her closing advice is specific and earned: do the work scared, use the information available to you, and keep going anyway. Connect with Dr. Jim: Website Instagram Facebook X YouTube Chapters: 03:38 Meet Danielle: Background and Early Journey 07:09 Transition From Corporate America to the Entertainment Industry 10:48 Challenges and Obstacles in the Entertainment Industry 14:12 Navigating the Publishing World 17:31 Inspirational Projects and Achievements 21:16 Future Projects and Upcoming Work 24:49 The Importance of Pushing Through Fear 28:06 Connect with Danielle Resources: 📖 The Adventures of Harold from the Hood Book Series by Jim Price: 🚙A Trip to the Park 🤝🏽Friends Like Different Things 🍟 Fun Time Lunch Time 😤 When I Feel So Annoyed Meet Danielle: B. Danielle Watkins is a two-time bestselling author, internationally award-winning filmmaker, and actress making history at the intersection of Black and LGBTQ+ storytelling. A Buffalo, New York native and graduate of HBCU Winston-Salem State University and The Los Angeles Film School, she became the first and only African American filmmaker to write, produce, and star in a REVRY original series (3030) — and the first to have her work showcased at Cinema Systers, the first all-lesbian film festival in the United States. With films streaming on Peacock, Prime Video, and Apple TV+ and reaching audiences across more than 100 countries, Watkins has built a truly global footprint. Her LGBTQ+-centered film The Calling premiered on NBC's Peacock network; her field-producing credits include TV One's top-rated true crime series Fatal Attraction, and she now serves as Vice President of Media and Film at Squirrel Vision TV. A Woman in Media award winner, Rising Star honoree, and International Impact Author Award recipient, she is one of the most versatile and sought-after voices in independent film, television, and literature — and she is just getting started. Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube
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