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Spelman’s Julie Dash Directs Wanda Sykes’ Netflix Special
Elevating HBCU Talent Behind the Camera
When writer and actor Wanda Sykes returned to the spotlight in May with her third Netflix comedy special, “Wanda Sykes: Legacy,” the production did more than deliver laughter; it celebrated the culture of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and spotlighted emerging talent from Spelman College and across the Atlanta University Center.
Filmed at Hampton University, “Legacy” is a tribute to Sykes’ HBCU roots and a full-circle moment for the Emmy-winning comedian. At the helm is renowned filmmaker and Spelman professor Julie Dash, MFA, Diana King Endowed Professor in the Department of Film, Filmmaking, Television and Related Media. Her direction brings both cultural depth and intentional mentorship to the project.
For Dash, the production is not only an opportunity to collaborate with a celebrated artist but also to create meaningful pathways for the next generation of filmmakers. She recruited Zach Thomas, MFA, from Spelman’s documentary technology program and alumna Neema Griffin, C’2023, to serve as camera drone operators, continuing a pattern of bringing her students into professional, high-impact environments.
“As the founder of Spelman’s camera drone workshop and a professional film director who continues to work in the industry, I am in a unique position to hire emerging filmmakers from our AUC and HBCU community for high-profile industry projects that help advance their careers,” Dash said.
This marks the second time Dash has tapped Thomas and Griffin for a major project. The pair previously worked under her direction on “Monuments” at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles, gaining valuable industry experience that has now translated to a global streaming platform. The production’s camera team included several other women of color, forming an all-women-of-color camera crew, an achievement rarely seen at this scale in the film and television industry.
“This was a groundbreaking moment, as an all-women-of-color camera team of this scale has rarely, if ever, been assembled within the culture of Netflix or the Hollywood production industry,” Dash said.
With the support of Sykes and her production company, Push It Productions, Dash intentionally built a team that reflects both excellence and representation. The result is a collaboration that challenges longstanding industry norms while opening doors for underrepresented creatives.
Shola Lynch, director of the documentary filmmaking program and Diana King Endowed Professor in Film, Filmmaking, Television and Related Media, emphasized the broader impact of Dash’s presence and leadership.
“Spelman and the documentary filmmaking program are extremely lucky to have Professor Dash as a faculty member. She is a legend in the film business who remains a fully engaged working professional. The same integrity and rigor that she applies to her films, she expects from her students. She teaches them directly but also inspires them by her own example, through the level of her work and the kind of networks she has built,” Lynch said.
Dash continues to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice. Her approach ensures that students and recent graduates are not only prepared for careers in film and media but are also actively participating in shaping its future.