Brown Sugar

Le’ianna Gladden is a sophomore at Winthrop University, majoring in Theatre and minoring in Mass Communication. She is from Greenville, SC, has been acting since elementary school, and has been creating video content for a year. She is the president of the Def Poets Society at Winthrop University, has published two books, and she also writes poetry.

She created a documentary called “Brown Sugar” exploring black love and all its components. From how black love makes people feel, to why black love is significant, Gladden defined and illustrated all the shapes, forms, and fashions black love can come in. Gladden interviewed couples of all orientations and students throughout the Winthrop community in order to learn about their relationship and black love. I interviewed Gladden and asked her a few questions about her and her documentary.

AW: What is your definition of black love?

LG: “To me, black love is spiritual, magical, d*mn near religious (LOL)! It is love, but on a much deeper level, like love filled with SO much soul.”

AW: Why did you decide to create a documentary with such strong values and lessons like “Brown Sugar” has?

LG: “As an actress, a content creator, and a woman of color, we often have a hard time finding content that’s specifically about us or for us. So I set out to do just that; to be a voice for us. I wanted to create for me and other women like me. This documentary is a product of that, to help uplift and shine light on us in a positive way. Also I loveeee Love lol, especially black love it fills me with sooo much joy seeing two black people in love! Lol.”

AW: What do you hope your viewers gain from watching this documentary?

LG: “I hope viewers are filled with just as much joy as I feel when I see black couples. I also hope this documentary serves as an affirmation, and opens people up to loving more. I also hope viewers gain more understanding and more appreciation for love of ALL kinds.”

AW: Why is black love so important?

LG: “For the same reasons black lives are important. We need black love, in a world that constantly makes you (black people) feel unwanted we need to be able to turn to our community & see love. To look at our reflections and know love.

Collegiate Curls of Winthrop wanted to share a spotlight for our member Le’ianna Gladden and all of her wonderful work on her documentary! She is bringing awareness to the black community and we wanted to share with all! Check out “Brown Sugar” on YouTube and follow Le’ianna Gladden on her social medias!

“Brown Sugar”: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zFFepv2R9Yc

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