#SPOTLIGHT ON DEJA HARRELL

How did you come of age as an artist? How did you come to your current practice?

Acting was my first love. It was something I'd always wanted to do since I was about 5. I was always a writer too. Teachers would tell my mom that I had a gift of putting emotion onto paper. It wasn't until college though that I fell madly in love with writing. Controlling the narrative is something that excites and determines me. I love the way you can bend and stretch words and make them into whatever you want them to be.

What was the inspiration for your OTV project?

Before graduating college, my post-grad plan was to move to Los Angeles as soon as I walked across the stage to start my TV career. However, I knew to convince my parents I was serious I needed to make something. I'd been sketching ideas for a couple of months when one day I was sitting around with my best friends having very honest, but hilarious conversations and it hit me. I wanted to write a show about how young women more specifically black women communicate with each other. How we learn from each other. How we laugh together. How we grow together. How we express our frustrations. I think black women have this special secret language and I think it's so amazing. I wanted to capture that while also shedding light on important issues like taxing feminine products.

What's next for you or your series?

I'm currently outlining season 2. I love the idea of doing a couple of more seasons, but I do want to see how our audience reacts to it and find what they loved and what could have been better. I'd like to see Seeds grow.