Adala Makhulo Leads Courageous Conversations
By Alixandra Rutnik on Apr 12, 2024
One Club Member shares her journey starting a film and media production company
Goldman Sachs predicts the Content Creator Economy will be worth $480 billion by 2027. So, if you haven’t already moved over to the creator side, maybe it’s time you get with it and join the cool kids. While I may not be cut out for that lifestyle, One Club for Creativity Member and African Content Creator Adala Makhulo definitely is.
Adala started her own production company in 2020 called 3 Point Productions with the goal of hosting honest conversations on her platform. On her show, Exposition, she empowers guests to speak openly on relevant cultural topics. She even started a podcast with her triplet siblings called 3 Peas in a Pod!
We talked to Adala about her journey as a content creator and what we can look forward to seeing from 3 Point Productions in the near future.
What is the story behind creating 3 Point Productions?
3 Point Productions is a film and media production company I started in 2020 after realizing there was a need for more African content created for us and by us.
Growing up in Kenya, I mainly watched content from the West, and I barely watched anything produced in my home country. This realization came to me in 2016 when I was in a global cinema class in high school in India, where we did not learn much about African cinema, and I myself could not educate my peers as I grew up neglecting it.
As much as I loved consuming content, I loved being a part of the production process even more, and so 3 Point Productions began. So far, it’s been a very rewarding journey. Through our content, we’ve been able to build a community of youth who are self-aware, empathetic, and knowledgeable about different things happening in our community, even though they may not be directly affected by them.
Despite this feat, we have encountered challenges, which mostly have to do with funding our productions. We’ve received multiple grants that have allowed us to continue scaling the business. However, it has not been very sustainable. We are continuously exploring other ways to continue generating income for the business.
Exposition curates courageous conversations for the youth, by the youth, and explores the topics of Mental Health, Colorism, Body Positivity, etc. Why do you want to create this content and put it out into the world?
Exposition began as my passion project which later then turned into the flagship project for my production company. The goal of Exposition is deeply rooted in the desire to create a platform where courageous conversations can flourish, and healthy debate is encouraged, particularly among the youth. As someone who has navigated through various challenges and societal pressures firsthand, I recognized the importance of addressing these topics in a meaningful and authentic manner.
The decision to create this content stemmed from witnessing the lack of representation and open dialogue surrounding these critical issues. I wanted to fill that gap by providing a space where young people could feel seen, heard, and understood. By amplifying the voices of the youth themselves, Exposition aims to empower individuals to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives, fostering empathy, understanding, and ultimately, positive change. By shedding light on these often taboo subjects, we hope to spark meaningful conversations, promote self-acceptance, and contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Exposition is more than just a show—it’s a movement dedicated to empowering young people to embrace their authenticity, speak their truth, and create a world where everyone feels valued and supported.
“Exposition is more than just a show—it’s a movement dedicated to empowering young people to embrace their authenticity, speak their truth, and create a world where everyone feels valued and supported.”
How did you pick the topics you wanted to discuss in the episodes?
We select topics through an open call to the community. We’ve been able to build a significant following on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, and we leverage those platforms to curate a list of topics to discuss. We usually put out a poll, and people respond with what they would like to be featured in, as well as what they would like to see on the screen. Then we create a list with all the potential topics, and prioritize them in terms of their popularity. We prioritize topics the majority of people would like to see first or topics that are relevant to the social environment at the time. We remain open to community and audience feedback to ensure the content of the show remains relevant and engaging. Our ethos is choosing topics that have the potential to spark meaningful conversations and promote positive change.
Is there one episode you recommend watching that truly embodies the show?
While all episodes of Exposition are meaningful in their own right, if I were to recommend one that truly embodies the essence of the show, it would be our episode on men’s mental health titled “Big Boys Don’t Cry.”
In this episode, we delve deep into the often stigmatized topic of men’s mental health, focusing on the young African man and his relationship to his emotions. We explore the guided monologue of five young men as they share their evolution through manhood from the lens of their personal emotional journeys.
“We delve deep into the often stigmatized topic of men’s mental health, focusing on the young African man and his relationship to his emotions.”
Through this episode, we hope to encourage other young men to dig deep, question, and challenge themselves to look within. The episode not only sheds light on the challenges these men face but also emphasizes the importance of seeking support, advocating for mental health awareness, and promoting self-care. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the power of empathy, understanding, and community in navigating life’s struggles and promoting holistic well-being.
What’s next for 3 Point Productions?
Working on Exposition has been a transformative journey that has taught me invaluable lessons about the power of storytelling, the importance of empathy, and the courage required to address challenging topics openly.
Through the process of curating and facilitating conversations, I’ve learned firsthand the profound impact authentic storytelling can have in fostering understanding, connection, and healing. I’ve discovered the resilience and strength within individuals who bravely share their stories, as well as the transformative potential of creating spaces where voices are heard and experiences are validated. Exposition has reinforced my belief in the power of community, empathy, and vulnerability to inspire positive change and reaffirmed my commitment to creating content that uplifts and empowers marginalized voices.
As for the future of Exposition, we do not have a defined date as to when the next episode is going to air. I’m currently working on restructuring 3 Point Productions with the hopes of working on a wider array of content to diversify our portfolio. I am planning on continuing the show, and also adding more content that uplifts and empowers communities. We’re currently in the early stages of developing a film, so stay tuned for updates on this front!
Fill us in about 3 Peas in a Pod – when will it be back on air?
3 Peas in A Pod is a podcast I produce and host with my triplet siblings! In our podcast, we talk about our differences and similarities as triplets, delving into our unique lived experiences and how they have shaped us into the people we are today. It’s a great way for us to introspect as well as connect with each other, considering we’re now all dispersed in different parts of the globe. We will definitely continue the podcast! Life gets busy, and we’re all engaged with different things, but we are continuously talking about bringing it back, so stay tuned for updates on that, too!
What motivated you to join The One Club for Creativity?
I joined The One Club for Creativity as a young professional member in December 2023. I was motivated to join after attending The One Club’s annual Where Are All The Black People conference in October 2023 in New York City, where I connected with a lot of like-minded individuals and was able to network socially as well as professionally. I had a great time at the conference and was happy to be in a space celebrating Black talent, supporting professional development, and driving positive change within the creative landscape.
“I was motivated to join after attending The One Club’s annual Where Are All The Black People conference in October 2023 in New York City, where I connected with a lot of like-minded individuals and was able to network socially as well as professionally.”
One Club for Creativity Members get featured here on the One Club website and across our social media channels. Have a new project you'd love to share? An upcoming exhibition and you'd like us to help spread the word? We always love to know what our One Club Members have been up to, so don’t forget to send us your cool work!
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