Free Dirt

Kenya Cummins is the writer and director of “Free Dirt”. A rising junior at Hampton University, she exemplifies her school’s motto of the “standard of excellence”. Having served as Miss Freshman 2016-2017, community service is second nature to her, as she created a community outreach program entitled “Ebony Einstein”, through which she hosts film screenings and workshops at the Boys and Girls Club of Hampton, Virginia. Kenya attended the Nate Parker Summer Film Institute for two summers, where she collaborated with black youth and industry professionals on two short films and documentaries. Drawing from these dynamic experiences, she recently completed a study abroad program in Montreal, Canada with Champlain College, where her short film “Free Dirt” was selected for production. Her inspiration for the film draws from her faith, childhood memories of bedtime stories, and experiences in community outreach. Kenya is currently completing a videography internship with Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore, MD, and working on a script for a feature film in her spare time. Her passion for filmmaking is exemplified in this quote from Viola Davis: “I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.”