Rewriting the Narrative: Kamaya Walker’s Path from Persistence to Production Assistant
When Kamaya Walker reflects on her journey into the film industry, one word comes to mind: persistence. It wasn’t just passion or talent that brought her to where she is today—it was the perfect blend of preparation, resilience, and an unexpected twist of fate.
An Unexpected Beginning
Kamaya always knew that she wanted to be in the film industry, but it wasn’t until her mother signed her up for a broadcasting program in high school—without her knowledge—that she truly discovered her calling.
“She told me it was either culinary or broadcasting, and I was dumbfounded. But she chose broadcasting because I had a YouTube channel at the time.”
That decision would change everything and within the first month in the program, Kamaya’s eyes were opened to the power of storytelling. After noticing her passion, a teacher randomly assigned Kamaya to research the career of a film director. By the end of the project, she knew: This is what I want to do.
From Commercials to Casting: Finding Her Lane
While studying at North Carolina A&T, Kamaya honed her creative skills by making commercials for everyday household products.
“I made a Febreze commercial, a deodorant ad—anything I could find,” she laughs.
What started as a fun exercise turned into an unexpected opportunity when the director of her campus food service noticed one of her videos and asked her if she wanted an internship. “Of course, I said yes!”
That internship opened doors, leading her to a prestigious opportunity with Disney’s Freeform network.
“I was a production management intern, and it was amazing. But then I moved into casting, and I quickly realized—this is not for me.”
She laughs at the memory but acknowledges the value in learning what doesn’t align with her goals.
Taking a Leap: Breaking into Hollywood
Despite her growing industry experience, Kamaya still faced hurdles breaking into production. She knew she wanted to be on set, but getting there required persistence. She told everyone she knew that she wanted to be a PA, and finally, someone connected her to Grown-ish.
“Landing a job as a Production Assistant on Grown-ish was a game-changer. That was my first real set experience, and it was overwhelming,” she admits. “On my first day, I actually cried.”
But through the chaos, she found her rhythm, building strong relationships with her colleagues and gaining the confidence to take on more projects.
Her time on Grown-ish helped her secure future gigs, and she continued working on various sets, growing her network along the way. One of her most fulfilling projects, however, came when she teamed up with fellow EICOP alumni, including Jalen Ellis, to produce a short film.
“I knew I had to network across just as much as I networked up. We struggled together, and that made our success even sweeter.”
The Role of EICOP: A Lifeline in the Industry
Kamaya credits much of her success to EICOP and the HBCU IN LA program. After her first application was rejected, Kamaya persisted and refused to give up. The following year, she joined an EICOP information session and spoke up.
“I said, ‘I applied last year and didn’t make it, but I’ve gained experience and I know I deserve a spot.’”
That boldness paid off and she got in. The program didn’t just provide her with an internship; it provided a home.
“EICOP housed me when I got to LA. It introduced me to people just like me—Black kids trying to make it in this industry.”
She fondly recalls late-night kitchen conversations, networking events, and the support system that helped her navigate a demanding industry. Now, as a member of the EICOP Alumni Board, Kamaya is committed to giving back.
“Jared [a fellow alum] called me one day and said, ‘I think you should take on this role.’ I didn’t think I was the right fit, but he saw something in me. Now, I’m the Director of Content, helping tell the stories of future EICOP students.”
Looking Forward: Changing the Narrative
Kamaya is just getting started. While she’s grateful for the opportunities she’s had, she’s also aware of the challenges that still exist in the industry.
“I want to see more varied Black stories,” she says passionately. “I’m tired of the same narratives—slavery, police brutality. Those stories matter, but we need joy, adventure, fantasy, too.”
Her dream is to create socially conscious content that speaks to a wide audience. “I want to make films that reflect the full spectrum of our experiences—not just our struggles, but our dreams, our humor, our love stories.”
With her talent, drive, and community behind her, Kamaya Walker is on her way to making that vision a reality.
