“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences”
— Audre Lorde
From the moment Alison watched her first episode of “Roots”, she knew her life would be different from the little white girls she saw on TV. Not only would she learn about racial hatred, but also of her people’s perseverance to surmount any obstacle. Their stories gave her the confidence to stand a little taller in the face of racism. Her life was her own and she would keep on living, no matter what.
The Black nuns at Alison’s school taught her the importance of speaking her truth without fear. She wrote her first play, “Harriet Tubman”, in fifth grade and went on to star in plays and musicals in high school. She received a BFA in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University, and performed at theaters in the Chicagoland area. She enrolled in the film program at Columbia College after getting frustrated with the lack of black stories on the big screen. Upon receiving a BA in film directing, Alison directed and produced films that have appeared in the Pan African Film Festival, Black Harvest Film Festival, London Disability Film Festival, Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, San Francisco Black Film Festival and more. She acted in the U.S. premiere of “The Coat” by South African playwright, Athol Fugard, which won “Best of the Fest” in the Bailiwick Director’s Festival. Alison’s MSC from Northwestern University provides her with creative solutions for improving strategic communication in organizational settings.
Alison has incorporated DEI principles into her Acting and Directing Workshop classes at Columbia College to encourage active participation from each student. In her current role at Alumni Relations and Development at Northwestern University, she cultivates relationships with alumni of color, employs diverse recruitment strategies, and fosters a sense of belonging among internal stakeholders. Her vision is to build a community with current and prospective students by increasing engagement with alumni from underrepresented groups.
Alison leads acting workshops to develop empathy and nurture honest communication. She guides others to speak their truth, celebrate their differences, and contribute to their own ever-evolving story.