by Jessica Gillespie and Melissa Duprey
WATCH: https://youtu.be/8ePNCCJMZt0
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/episode/25UVwjrqX05CiPTUQnp5RZ?si=kHf1vkPISjmTZsevT1y0wg
Chicago native Melissa DuPrey, actress, comic, producer, and playwright, sits down for an electrifying conversation with Emmai Alaquiva, a multidisciplinary artist whose story and talents unfold in unexpected ways making this interview a must-listen.
From homelessness in his native Pittsburgh to becoming a four-time Emmy Award-winning film director and photographer, Emmai’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. His work spans an impressive roster of clients including Roc Nation, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, CBS Sports Network, Amazon, BMW, The ROOTS, and more. As the Vice Chair of the Arts for the State of Pennsylvania, Emmai’s influence reaches far beyond his own projects. He’s collaborated with cultural giants like Harry Belafonte, Dr. Maya Angelou, Questlove, Colman Domingo, and Jay-Z, for his trailblazing exhibit, The BOOK OF HOV.
In this candid conversation, Melissa dives deep into Emmai’s meteoric rise, his commitment to uplifting emerging artists, and the personal motivations driving his latest film—a documentary that debuted to a packed house at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The Ebony Canal is a powerful exploration of Black and Brown infant mortality, offering a searing critique of the medical industrial complex’s failures to protect Black and Brown mothers. Emmai shares how he blends the tender beauty of cinematic storytelling with the stark, often painful realities of the medical system, creating a film that has already made waves at SXSW and the Pan African Film Festival, with its international premiere slated for the Johannesburg Film Festival in South Africa. The film isn’t just a story; it’s a call for change!
Emmai describes The Ebony Canal as a love letter and a rallying cry for the protection of Black and Brown women. This filmmaker urges artists to act now and tell the stories that matter, without waiting for things to be perfect. His message is clear: the power is in your passion, product and most importantly your start. The film’s momentum is undeniable, with Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis stepping in as the featured narrator after a single glance at a three-minute teaser. As the project continues its festival journey and embarks on an HBCU tour, Emmai and his team are working on distribution deals to ensure this vital narrative reaches even more audiences.
To follow the journey of The Ebony Canal, visit theebonycanal.com.
