Life According to Ava DuVernay

One of the few African-American women to find success as a director and producer in Hollywood, Ava DuVernay has an unparalleled vision and drive. With feature films like A Wrinkle in Time and Selma and the documentary 13th, the multi-hyphenate powerhouse tells compelling stories that explore the legacy of racism and the breadth of the African-American experience. To recognize her visionary work, here is a look into how Ava DuVernay sees life.

We're in an age of change, but change will only move forward in a positive direction if we try to disrupt the status quo.

If your dream is only about you, it's too small.

I'm not going to continue knocking on that old door that doesn't open for me. I'm going to create my own door and walk through that.

I usually make films with $2 and a paper clip.

Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal.

Figure out what you need to do to be the heroine of your own story.

Art is something that grows and breathes and lives. You have to give people a chance to find their voice, to play, to continue to create.

Ignore the glass ceiling and do your work.

Creativity is an energy. It's a precious energy, and it's something to be protected.

There can be a progression to the dream; there can be steps to it. When you dissect any successful person's story, it's really rare that it was all of nothing.

When you're in your lane, there's no traffic. It goes from here to where you want to go if where you want to go is a true place.

Life According to Ava DuVernay

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