About six years ago, author Minda Harts created a mood board on her phone. It included photos of women who inspire her, people that she could look to in moments when she was feeling down or bummed about her career not happening as fast as she had hoped.
Among this group of trailblazers is Issa Rae, the actor who got her start with the viral web series “The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl” before co-creating and starring in the Emmy-nominated series “Insecure,” founding the media production company Hoorae and launching the creator marketing company Ensemble.
“She went from creating her own series on YouTube to now having multiple opportunities not only for herself but for others,” Harts said. “Oftentimes, especially in communities of color, we don’t always get to see those blueprints.”
Harts has been on her own trajectory of building an empire since leaving corporate America behind and channeling her experiences into her best-selling debut book, “The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table,” released in 2019. That book led to a short film adaptation, an upcoming psychological thriller about the workplace starring “The Proud Family” actor Kyla Pratt as Harts. Harts served as an executive producer for the project produced by the media company Seed Media.
In a twist of fate, Harts crossed paths with Rae in October while speaking at a law conference in Vegas and got to meet the woman on her vision board. The moment was emotional for Harts because “there are so many people like her that don’t show you how it’s done, don’t give you the recipe.”
“I appreciate her generosity, and I hope that in my work, I can continue to role model that as well,” Harts said.
Like Rae, Harts wants to diversify her portfolio.
She created a production company called Queen of Arts Productions, directed a short over the summer, and is working toward adapting her third book, “You Are More Than Magic,” into a coming-of-age story.
After a brush with the film side of Hollywood, Harts has experienced firsthand how the entertainment industry is similar to the average workplace, albeit on a larger scale with more glitz and glamour.
Here are Harts’ tips for success, whether you’re looking to make moves in Hollywood or climb the corporate ladder.
Prepare for your goals by leveling up your skillset
Prior to conversations with potential buyers for an adaptation of “The Memo,” Harts knew that she wanted to eventually explore film and TV. So, a few years ago, she began taking screenwriting classes.
“One of the things that I was really heavy on in ‘The Memo’ is talking about preparing for your next best thing and making sure that you’re upskilling and investing in yourself,” Harts said.
“I knew at some point I wanted to create content outside books, and I wanted to be ready when that opportunity presented itself,” she said.
Because she was already somewhat familiar with screenwriting, Harts said that she “didn’t feel like such a fish out of water” when the time came to put her skills into practice.
Networking is key
Harts also emphasized the importance of networking in her book, “The Memo.”
When she was on the set of the short film adaptation, she took her own advice and built relationships with the crew members and others involved in the production.
“Success is not a solo sport,” Harts said. “You never know when someone is going to give you an opportunity, or you can speak someone else’s name in the room.”
As a rare author who got to be hands-on with an adaptation of her work, Harts also highlighted her role as an executive producer at networking events.
Because Harts and Seed founder Valeisha Butterfield “don’t have traditional seats at the table in film and TV,” they’re hoping to take “The Memo” to the film festival circuit next year to spread the word and explore possibilities beyond a short film.
“Just like a traditional 9-to-5, film and TV is about who you know as well and who can give you opportunities,” Harts said. “So I’ve been pushing myself in that way to show up in different spaces and places to be able to build out my network because I want to do other projects outside ‘The Memo’ as well.”
Advocate for others
Harts said it’s also important to bring others with you, pointing to Reese Witherspoon as a star who’s using their platform to advocate for women and women of color through her media company Hello Sunshine.
“We all have a voice, we just have to decide how we want to use it,” Harts said.
Witherspoon has produced various female-fronted film and TV adaptations, including “Gone Girl,” “Big Little Lies,” “Daisy Jones & the Six,” and “Little Fires Everywhere.” She’s also an investor in the shapewear brand Spanx and the founder of a book club that spotlights female narratives.
“Reese Witherspoon is a great role model for how we can have a certain level of success and still lift as we climb,” Harts said.
Harts said that Hollywood has “come a long way” in increasing diversity, but it’s a team effort. She added, “Reese has really been a good case study to show that you can put out really great content and still have diversity and still make a lot of money.”
“The one question I ask myself is, who’s missing from the table? If we all can ask ourselves that in every part of the production process, then I think we’ll have a more equitable Hollywood,” Harts said.
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