Meet Kendra - the Original Blackbird
This featured interview with PROJECT BLACKBIRD's partners Alexandra Miles and Kendra Williams touch on the importance of their touring non-profit event, and gives you a sneak peek into their story and their friendship.
Alexandra Miles, Founder
Alexandra Miles (Founder/CEO PROJECT BLACKBIRD Inc.) is a Savannah, GA based producer, actor and non-profit founder with a focus on narrative film and mental health impact. Alexandra earned degrees in Business and Fine Arts from Boston University and SCAD before producing ‘Project Blackbird’. Founder of the related non-profit PROJECT BLACKBIRD INC. Alexandra tours College campuses and fortunate 500 companies with an event addressing mental health stigma in underrepresented communities. Currently producing ‘ED’, a narrative feature thriller depicting the diversity and relationships behind the walls of an eating disorder treatment center, and the monster, ED, living within each mind. She is known for her most recent acting work on The Take Out Move (2022) and Blackbird (2022).
Kendra Williams, Partner
Born and raised in Orange County, CA, Kendra Williams is an advocate for fostering conversations that destigmatize mental illness within African-American and other underrepresented communities. While she continues to shine a light on unhealthy norms, assumptions, and the long-term damaging effects of eating disorders, she recognizes recovery to be the most essential aspect for living a purposeful and authentic life. Initially an Architecture major at Tuskegee University, personal experiences and societal shifts have led Kendra to study Sociology at Mt. San Jacinto Community College, where she is an Honor student. Kendra’s future aspirations include acquiring her PhD and using her love of writing to build bridges by acknowledging and removing real (and perceived) barriers to social progression; her work has been featured as a part of the film project, Blackbird (2022). Kendra is a lover of all animals and is a proud pet-parent to her guinea pig, Nala, and Russian tortoise, Agatha. In her free time she enjoys listening to music, reading, laughing and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Paula Edwards-Gayfield, Partner
Paula Edwards-Gayfield, LCMHCS, LPC, CEDS-C, BC-TMH, is a Regional Assistant Vice President and Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair at The Renfrew Center. She is an experienced presenter addressing eating disorders and diversity, as well as a contributor to the book, Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician’s Guide. She is a certified member and approved supervisor (CEDS-S) of IAEDP, the International Association of Eating Disorders Professional and a former Co-Chair of the African American Eating Disorder Professionals – Black, Indigenous and People of Color Committee (AAEDP-BIPOC). She is a member of the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Clinical Advisory Council and serves on the advisory board for Eating Disorder Recovery Support (EDRS).
Brianna Black, Creative Director
Brianna Black brings a wealth of experience and artistic vision to the helm of this innovative venture. With a nascent background in film and television, Brianna has successfully navigated the intricacies of visual storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Known for their keen eye for detail and ability to translate ideas into compelling narratives, Brianna has worked on a multitude of projects that have garnered critical acclaim. However, it is her unwavering commitment to the representation of marginalized groups and advocacy for mental health awareness that sets them apart. Brianna believes in the transformative power of storytelling to challenge societal norms and amplify the voices of those often overlooked. As she embarks on the incredible journey of Project BlackBird, Brianna channels her passion into creating a platform that not only entertains but also fosters inclusivity, making a meaningful impact on the industry and beyond. For Brianna, "This is only the beginning."
Cesar Eko, Media Manager
Cesar Eko-Nkama was born in E.Guinea and grew up in Mostoles(Spain). He’s a passionate actor, screenwriter, and director who graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor's degree in Film, Media & Marketing. He has been involved in numerous independent projects ever since he moved to the States. He has co-directed a documentary and written & starred in two short films that went on to win some awards across indie film festivals. He is currently working on a feature film and a spec script for a pilot. An enthusiastic filmmaker who juggles his life between the film industry and the media industry which he started to get his foot in while he was in college. After landing an internship and some jobs in the media industry developing websites, podcasts, and more while in college he went on to pursue a career in that field while still managing his acting career in the film industry too. He's currently the Social media manager of Project Blackbird, shedding light and helping individuals and communities with their eating & mental health struggles.