At Sesame Workshop, we believe in a world where all children can reach their full potential and humanity—and do so in celebration of their races, ethnicities, and cultures. The work to dismantle racism begins by helping children understand what racism is and how it hurts and impacts people. As part of our Coming Together / Racial Justice initiative, I oversaw production of five short documentaries with production cooperative Meerkat Media. Each film featured a different family having honest, direct and age-appropriate conversations about race and racism. The series was nominated for Outstanding Non-Fiction Program at the 2022 Children and Family Emmys.

Directors: Bryan Chang, Katsitsionni Fox, Lorena Alvarado, Chinisha Scott & Sana A. Malik

This short documentary tells the story of parental addiction from the perspective of a child, offering comfort, understanding and coping strategies to families. I produced the film and partnered with directors Elaine McMillion Sheldon & Curren Sheldon. We were thrilled to take home an Emmy for Outstanding Short Format Children’s Program in 2020.

Meet Reignen Yellowfish and his family. Within their Native American community, they stay healthy in many different ways, caring for their bodies, hearts, minds, traditions, and each other. This film was part of Sesame’s nationwide initiative Quest for Health Equity, and was made in collaboration with the production team at Native-owned Pursuit Films. The project received an Honorable Mention for Outstanding Public Service Initiative at the 2023 Children and Family Emmys . Watch the full film here.

Currently streaming on HBOMax and PBS, Sesame Workshop’s first original docu-series,Through Our Eyes spotlights the perspectives of children as they experience some of the most challenging issues facing families today – homelessness, parental incarceration, military caregiving, climate displacement and more. In anthology format, each 30-minute film is designed as a co-viewing experience for adults & kids ages 8+. I oversaw production of the series from development to delivery, with each episode directed by a different award-winning documentary filmmaker.

Our episode about family homelessness, Shelter, received a 2021 News and Documentary Emmy nomination while the episode about parental incarceration, Apart, took home a News and Documentary Emmy for Outstanding Short Documentary.

Two new episodes highlighting youth activism and cultural preservation launched on PBS May of 2024.

Directors: Geeta Gandbhir & Rudy Valdez, Talleah Bridges McMahon, Kristi Jacobson, Smriti Mundhra, Grace Lee, and Justyn Ah Chong

Episodes created in collaboration with Multitude Films, Meralta Films, Midnight Pictures, Catalyst Films & Shine Global.

This short for Sesame Street in Communities follows Adriana Molina, Director of Project ABC with the Children’s Institute in Los Angeles, through a day with her own foster family. Discover what the world looks like from the perspective of a child in foster care. Learn strategies and practical tools for smooth transitions and ways to support big feelings. Produced with Wavecrest Films.

The death of a loved one can lead to so many changes for children and grown-ups. Growing as We Grieve is an interactive website designed to help parents and caregivers navigate the seasons of grief.  Through personal stories and expert insights, it offers guidance, support, strategies and hope. I oversaw production of video content for Sesame Workshop with Pursuit Films as well as developing the creative look and feel with our design team at Hello Monday.  The project went on to receive a 2024 Webby Award for Outstanding Health and Wellness Website as well as a 2024 Anthem Award, celebrating purpose and mission driven work.  

FIRMES is the story of the hardships and triumphs faced by a group of Mexican immigrants fighting for survival in the Bronx. United by their love for art, culture and Mexican traditions, they’ve formed strong bonds and a solid community. Together they attempt to stay away from gang life, get over past mistakes and hash out a legitimate existence in the tangled urban landscape of New York City. Directed by Armando Croda and Lindsey Cordero.

In this spirited coming-of-age PBS documentary, Latino high school students compete to be the state champion Mariachi Band while experiencing the trials and triumphs shared by all American teens. From band auditions to the thrill of cut-throat competition, Mariachi High provides much-needed affirmative screen time for teens who are inspired by cultural pride and striving for excellence. Directors: Ilana Trachtman & Kim Connell. Watch it on Prime.

Through candid verité footage and home video diaries, Odd Ones Out documents four years in the courageous lives of three transgender teens as they transition into adulthood and face life-altering events. Family intolerance, abuse, homelessness, sex work, violence and harassment serve as the backdrop for a dramatic story of acceptance, rejection, identity and change. Directed by Dana McClure and Kirby Conn with Rainlake Films. Watch it on Prime.

The Queens of Queens chronicles the true-life experiences of cross-dressing Latino immigrants living double lives in the shadows of New York City. Behind the bodega counter by day, queens of the drag scene by night, they’re drawn by the prospect of freedom in the US, yet trapped by the prevailing homophobia in their communities. Ultimately the Queens find an outlet in an underground world of amateur drag balls, variety shows and runway competitions. I directed and produced this teaser for pitches to various broadcast outlets hoping for a greenlight on a series. Ru-Paul's Drag Race beat me to the punch.

This intro is part of a series of drug & violence prevention videos I directed and produced for The US State Department, The US Embassy in Nicaragua & University of Tennessee. The videos form part of health curriculums and are shown in middle schools throughout Nicaragua to combat violence, drug and alcohol abuse among tweens.

"Do you think these ice cubes are purified water?" Improvisational Actress Megan Martin and Director Beth Miranda Botshon had a blast taking the infamous meme across the border. Filmed in beautiful Oaxaca City.

Alex married young, had kids, & never sowed her wild oats. Jane is still single, ready to settle & so damn sick of Tinder. Together, they're funny. An improv comedy web series starring UCB and PIT performers Rachel Rosenthal, Julie Rosing and Taylor Newhall. Watch episodes here. 

A call to action to the public and decision makers, this explainer video explores the historical and contemporary context of midwifery in Mexico, stressing the untapped potential of incorporating professional midwives into already existing medical infrastructures. Featured by Harvard's Maternal Health Task Force, the video has been shown at Health conferences throughout Mexico, the US, Suriname and Canada.