Robinson keeps Onyx’s nonfiction docs and series engaging and fresh by seeking out creators who tell entertaining, aspirational and uncompromising stories from a distinct and authentic cultural point of view. She ushered “The 1619 Project” from development through production, resulting in Onyx’s first Emmy. Robinson was also behind the docuseries, “Black Twitter: A People’s History,” which became Onyx’s first title to make Hulu’s Top 15 (one day after its premiere).
What do you think is the biggest misconception about diversity within the industry? That significant change has really occurred. There has been truly meaningful and positive incremental change, but we’ve also seen a lot of that progression rolled back in the past year, so much so that it feels like we’re going in reverse.
What nonprofit are you proud to champion and why? Brown Girls Doc Mafia (BGDM), because it was founded by a filmmaker, Iyabo Boyd, who saw a need for community and an answer to the staid industry question of “but I don’t know any filmmakers of color”. She took matters into her own hands to change what was in front of her.
What does work-life balance mean to you? Balance. Being social is really important to me, enjoying friends and family is really important to me, consuming storytelling in all forms is really important to me whether it’s from watching a great film or a friend telling me about an awful date. Work and life are one in the same – you can’t feed one without the other.