mikO Tolliver Productions, based in Oakland, is a creative multimedia company that specializes in documentaries. Founder mikO Tolliver met with us to celebrate her business's new status as an EmployABILITY Champion and learn what that means to her.
What is your mission as an organization?
My mission as a filmmaker is to tell the overlooked stories – the more diverse stories. As a business, my mission is to hire people who normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to work as artists. I want to support people whose stories and talent haven’t always been taken seriously. To make it in this business you need support, and I want to be that for others.
How do you plan to use EmployABILITY Business Grant funds?
I’ve already started using some of the funds to buy new equipment that is accessible for people with disabilities. I’ve also hired one new camera operator with disabilities. Our big project is setting up a 21-week training program for people to learn skills in the creative production industry. That program will start soon.
What does it mean for you to be an EmployABILITY Champion?
I understand what it means to be overlooked because you don’t fit the mold of what’s expected. This grant is a great opportunity to give other overlooked people, individuals with disabilities, the chance to learn this art and how to make it. It’s a win-win situation – it’s a great opportunity and opens up possibilities for the business and for individuals with disabilities!
For more information on mikO Tolliver Productions, visit http://www.kittieperm.com/.
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