Authenticity and Humanity in Storytelling

In celebration of Black History Month, Marlborough was honored to welcome two distinguished figures in entertainment for an All-School Meeting (ASM): Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Oscar-nominated director-producer Lee Daniels. Calla M. ’29 and Maniya A.-B. ’26 delivered a thoughtful introduction before turning it over to fellow members of Marlborough’s African American Cultural Exchange (AACE) student affinity group. Savanna J. ’25, Demi S. ’25, and Milan R. ’25 expertly moderated a discussion that explored the art of storytelling, representation, and the necessity of authenticity in portraying Black experiences.

With thoughtful and incisive questions, the student moderators navigated a dynamic discussion that touched on everything from character selection to the intersection of activism and storytelling. Demi S. ’25 began by asking Ms. Ellis-Taylor, “How do you approach telling stories with authenticity, especially when they reflect real-life historical figures?” Ms. Ellis-Taylor, known for her powerful performances in King Richard and Origin, emphasized the significance of thorough research and advocating for complete character representation. Speaking about her role as Oracene Price in King Richard, she revealed how her extensive research uncovered just how instrumental Ms. Price was in coaching Serena Williams’ distinctive playing style. “When I get a chance to play someone like Ms. Oracene, it is my chance to be an advocate for her on screen,” Ms. Ellis-Taylor shared.

Milan R. ’25 followed up with a question for Mr. Daniels: “How do you balance telling hard truths with creating entertainment that resonates with wide audiences?” Mr. Daniels, the creator and visionary behind Empire and director of Precious: Based on the novel Push, by Sapphire, spoke about the universal nature of storytelling, explaining, “What makes my work universal is that we are all experiencing the same thing in life one way or the other. We wake up every day and try to do the right thing, but then we fall on our butts realizing that we make mistakes.”

In discussing some of the challenges faced by Black creatives in the film industry, Mr. Daniels explained that many of his films have not been financed by Hollywood and have been financed “independently from people who have been very friendly and helpful and understand my vision,” he shared. This approach gave him the freedom to maintain creative control, a necessary condition for authentically depicting the nuances of Black lives. He highlighted the limitations of Hollywood studios, observing, “In the world of movie studios, you have a bunch of people that bring their life experience to the table, and they think, ‘This is what a Black family should be like.’ And most of them, for the most part, are white... they're coming from a lens of someone that doesn't know the Black experience.” This candid insight highlighted the persistent struggle for truthful representation and creative control that remains central to the work of Black artists in the entertainment industry.

A particularly moving moment of this ASM came when both artists reflected on history as an ongoing and evolving narrative rather than a static artifact. Ms. Ellis-Taylor noted that historical issues continue to shape the present, and discussed the growing urgency among young people to engage with these realities.

Ms. Ellis-Taylor also spoke with fervent conviction about the female experience. Addressing our community as “women-in-training,” she urged students to stand up for their voices, their stories, and their place in our world. With passion, she stressed the importance of bringing women’s narratives to life, encouraging our students to see themselves as central figures in history, not just supporting characters. Her message resonated deeply with Marlborough’s ethos—an empowering call to claim space, to demand visibility, to lead with empathy, and to shape their own stories with courage and determination. 

As the conversation drew to a close, Demi S. ’25 asked both speakers, “What's the best piece of advice you would give to young people, specifically young girls, specifically Black girls, looking to succeed where they might be underrepresented?” “Be fearless,” Ms. Ellis-Taylor urged, underscoring the value of standing up for your principles even when faced with potential consequences. Mr. Daniels added, “Listen to your gut, listen to your spirit…that inner voice will never lead you the wrong way.”

This ASM exemplified the power of creating space for honest dialogue about representation, creative expression, and the ongoing urgency of telling stories that matter. Thanks to the skillful facilitation of our student moderators and the candid reflections of our guests, the Marlborough community gained valuable insights into the importance of bringing authenticity and humanity to storytelling in all its forms.