Award-winning, Jamaican-born author Sandy Daley-Legister, who made a name in New York years ago with her best-selling book “Whose Vagina Is It, Really?” will make her directorial debut in film, with a highly-anticipated documentary titled, “I Can’t Be The Only One: Workplace Discrimination Against Black Women.”
The 50-minute documentary will premiere first in Toronto before making its way to New York and other cities in the US.
“We plan to launch the documentary here in Toronto, where it was shot before taking it to the bright lights in New York, where big dreams are made,” Daley-Legister told Caribbean Life on Monday. “I am hoping to garner support from the two to three million-plus Jamaican-Caribbean population in the US Diaspora.”
When asked about what patrons she can expect for the documentary, she said: “I am a straight shooter. I call it as I see it.
“I have never shied away from sensitive topics, as I believe that this is the only way that we will learn and grow as human beings,” she said. “I never take myself too seriously. I know that if something is happening to me, it’s happening to others as well. This is why I am doing this project. Numbers don’t lie.”
“I Can’t Be the Only One…” brings together five resilient, educated and witty Black women from different walks of life, who share their experiences in the corporate world.
Daley-Legister said personal interviews with each woman, and fluid conversations, provide “an authentic approach” to this very telling documentary.
She hopes this will encourage “open and honest conversations, a formula that will enhance the authentic nature of the documentary.
“We have to begin to have this very difficult conversation about racism and its effects,” Daley-Legister said. “I have experienced racism and discrimination many times in the workplace as a Black Jamaican woman living here in North America. I know that this must be happening to others as well.”
In addition to the documentary, Daley-Legister has debuted a hot new podcast, “Real Talk with Sandy” for Black History/Reggae Month, which is streamed on all social media platforms.
She said the podcast was inspired by her years as a freelance writer and a radio broadcaster in New York, Toronto and Boston.
“A lot of people have requested that I revive the syndicated column that I had for many years,” Daley-Legister said. “I gave it much thought and decided to do it as a podcast.”
She said the show, like the column, focuses on issues of concern to women.
“We will have candid discussions about relationships, sex, family and work,” she said, stating that the theme song is “Welcome to The Party” by crooner Jango Thriller and De Boss Entertainment.
Daley-Legister said she will trek to Jamaica in Jamaica for a promotional tour of “I Can’t Be The Only One: Workplace Discrimination Against Black Women.”
“I love my birth country, Jamaica,” she said. “I am also fascinated by the thought of supporting and meeting other creators a ‘Yard’ (colloquial name for Jamaica). I’m looking forward to this trip with bated breath.”
