Souls of Black Girls Available on DVD

About Film

The Souls of Black Girls is an award-winning provocative news documentary that raises the question of whether or not women of color may be suffering from a self-image disorder as a result of trying to attain the standards of beauty that are celebrated in media images. The candid piece features interviews with young women discussing their self-image as well as social commentary from Rapper/Political Activist Chuck D, Actresses Regina King and Jada Pinkett Smith, PBS Washington Week Moderator Gwen Ifill and Cultural Critic Michaela Angela Davis, among others.

Since its completion, The Souls of Black Girls, has been screened and overwhelmingly well-received by audiences at film festivals and more than 100 private screenings at various institutions, organizations and colleges/universities. Most recently, the film was featured as the centerpiece of Procter & Gamble's national "My Black is Beautiful" campaign where its Producer shared the message of the piece as a celebrity panelist of the signature "My Black is Beautiful" tour.

"Too often our girls do not rise to their full potential because they are so affected by the image that others project of them. It's good to have something that helps us understand what's happening to our girls," said Dr. Dorothy Height, Chair of the National Council of Negro Women. "This film was the answer to a prayer". Building on the critical recognition of the film, By Her Productions is in development for the sequel to the documentary called "The Souls of Black Girls, Too".

Daphne Valerius, The Producer Daphne Valerius, The Producer

About Producer

Meet Daphne Valerius, one to watch as the era of women of color redefining the landscape of media images –in front and behind the camera—begins to unfold. A native of Rhode Island by way of Brooklyn, New York —Host, Producer and Entrepreneur Daphne Valerius has journeyed into the successful pursuit of redefining the landscape of media images with an array of talent that navigates her both in front and behind the camera. Valerius’ passion for the media industry began during her undergraduate studies at St. John’s University. She went on to complete her Masters in Broadcast Journalism at Emerson College, where she received the esteemed Associated Press Award for Public Affairs and produced her award-winning documentary, The Souls of Black Girls.

Among other achievements, the success of The Souls of Black Girls has garnered Valerius the support of the late Dr. Dorothy Height, the Mira Nair Award for Rising Female Filmmaker from the Harlem Int'l Film Festival and being named among the Best Black Documentary Directors of 2008. Notably, Valerius was featured as a panelist of Procter & Gamble's 2009 national "My Black is Beautiful" Tour where her documentary, The Souls of Black Girls was used as a centerpiece for discussion. Most recently Valerius was an invited guest of First Lady Michelle Obama to the White House as a result of her work.

With profound commitment to her craft, Valerius sets out to influence, inspire, uplift and serve women and girls through positive, educational television, film and fashion projects. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Valerius remains an active community leader while traveling throughout the country to promote the messages conveyed in her film. Her television production credits include work for networks such as ABC, FOX and BET. She is currently working on her upcoming television pilot called "The Block" and the sequel to her documentary, "The Souls of Black Girls, Too".

Cast & Crew

Written, Edited & Produced by
Daphne Valerius

The Interviews

Darlise Blount, Producer
Chuck D, Rapper/Political Activist
Michaela Angela Davis, Cultural Critic
Dr. Lez Edmond, African-American Historian
Pamela Edwards, ESSENCE
C’Nay Hines, BET
Gwen Ifill, PBS Washington Week
Juanita Jennings, Actress
Regina King, Actress
Katie Magrane, Youth Advocate
Amelia Marshall, Actress
Kadija Minah, Producer
Kenyetta Smith, Screenwriter
Jada Pinkett Smith, Actress


Supervising Producers
Janet Kolodzy
Melinda Robins

Original Music Provided by
Marcos Morales

Principal Photography
Claudia Saimbert

Additional Graphics
Casey Quinn
Tim MacArthur
Allison Lamb

Audio/Mix & Re-recording
Katerina Dejkoska

Dr. Dorothy Height "Too often our girls do not rise to their full potential because they are so affected by the image that others project of them…This film was an answer to an prayer." - Dr. Dorothy Height
"Too often our girls do not rise to their full potential because they are so affected by the image that others project of them…This film was an answer to an prayer." - Dr. Dorothy Height

Click on the images below to see full gallery



Film Festivals

 

  • REEL SISTERS FILM FESTIVAL
  • CHARLOTTE AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
  • DETROIT WOMEN OF COLOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
  • BLACK FILMMAKER (BFM) FILM CLUB LONDON, UK
  • URBAN FILM SERIES
  • FESTIVAL DU FILM PANAFRICAIN DE CANNES, FRANCE
  • AFRICAN DIASPORA FILM FESTIVAL
  • AFRICAN DIASPORA FILM FESTIVAL
  • HARLEM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
  • URBAN MEDIA MAKERS FILM FESTIVAL
  • MARTHA’S VINEYARD AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
  • ROXBURY FILM FESTIVAL
  • HIP HOP ODYSSEY (H20) INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
  • PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL —WORLDWIDE PREMIERE

Requests

Requests
Thank you for your interest in learning more information about The Souls of Black Girls and hosting a private screening of the documentary. Please email us at assistant@soulsofblackgirls.com with the following required information and someone will contact you about your private screening/workshop inquiry.

Private Screenings

Private Screening

 

  • PROCTER & GAMBLE’S "MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL" CAMPAIGN (2009)
  • SUSAN G KOMEN FOR THE CURE "CIRCLE OF PROMISE" W/ SYBIL WILKES OF THE TOM JOYNER MORNING SHOW
  • STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE)
  • NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY
  • GEORGIA TECH
  • DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
  • BARD COLLEGE
  • PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY
  • DUSABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
  • NEW MEXICO BLACK EXPO
  • SPELMAN COLLEGE
  • TAVIS SMILEY FOUNDATION YOUTH CONFERENCE
  • BROCKTON PUBLIC LIBRARY & ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY
  • REGINALD F. LEWIS MUSEUM OF MARYLAND
  • RHODE ISLAND TRAINING SCHOOL JUVENILE & CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
  • BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE
  • CARLETON COLLEGE
  • YALE UNIVERSITY & DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY
  • EVERY GIRL COUNTS
  • BROWARD COUNTY LIBRARY
  • CRITTENTON SERVICES OF GREATER WASHINGTON, DC
  • BENNETT COLLEGE FOR WOMEN W/ DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX
  • SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE
  • PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
  • SMITHSONIAN ANACOSTIA MUSEUM, WASHINGTON, DC
  • BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
  • WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY
  • UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON
  • EMERSON COLLEGE
  • SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES, INC.
  • COLBY COLLEGE
  • UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND & ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY
  • PROVIDENCE PREMIERE WITH SPECIAL GUEST CHUCK D.
  • EDMONTON BLACK FILM & ART WEEK, EDMONTON CA
  • ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
  • NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN IN ASSOCIATION WITH XM RADIO’S BLANCHE WILLIAMS
  • UP CLOSE & PERSONAL BENEFIT W/ JOHN LEGEND
  • STAR MINI FILM FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE
  • THE MET SCHOOL
  • CAMBRIDGE YOUTH CENTER
  • ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY & GEARUP PROGRAM
  • BOSTON PREMIERE AT EMERSON COLLEGE IN ASSOCIATION WITH COLOR OF FILM COLLABORATIVE
  • TAKE WINGS FOUNDATION WITH ACTRESS TERRI J. VAUGHN
  • HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
  • RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN
  • APOLLO THEATER (NEW YORK PREMIERE)

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in obtaining more information about the documentary, The Souls of Black Girls. Please feel free to contact us with your questions or comments by emailing us directly at: assistant@soulsofblackgirls.com

Assistant to Producer:
e: Assistant@soulsofblackgirls.com

Producer, Daphne Valerius: www.daphnevalerius.com
e: Producer@soulsofblackgirls.com

Contact Us