When we think of Women’s History Month, we think of all of the shit women should have been thanked for in the first place and still are forgotten about. Why, yes, we’ve come far, but let us not forget that we have so far to go for equal pay, rights to our bodies and more recently, the way we wish to carry our hair thanks to the natural hair discrimination ban sweeping across the country.

For Women’s History Month, I wanted to take a second to highlight Maura Chanz, a woman that I was personally lucky enough to connect with during my time at Spelman College. Her work ethic, from the time I met her during my freshman year, has only pushed my drive harder in the entertainment industry and her humility, poise and grace tie it all together in the perfect bow. Her creative and professional career is one to watch in 2020, and beyond, as she grows as a creative and innovator in the entertainment and film space.

I'll just jump right into it. We both went to Spelman together and I wanted to connect with you because you were someone I instantly admired for your hustle and hard work. How do you feel that going to Spelman, the number one HBCU in the country, has added to your experience as a working Black woman?

Honestly, I don’t think I would have the career I have had it not been for Spelman [College]. Prior to Spelman, I was on track to return to on-camera work post-grad. It was during my time at Spelman that I was exposed and introduced to so many other avenues of entertainment. During my time there, I was a marketing intern on the network side as well as at a record label. A big sister recommended me for an on-camera opportunity with BET’s What’s At Stake which started as a forum but opened the doors for me in production. Tai Beauchamp, a mentor and big sister, introduced me to her world of branded content and influencer work. I also met Mara Brock Akil while at Spelman. Although nothing came of our initial connection, it was her remembering me from Spelman that led her to personally asking me to apply to be her apprentice. I am a working Black woman because of Spelman. It is also why I have only had Black women supervisors throughout my career thus far.

What are some of the biggest myths and misconceptions that you hear about attending an all-women's college?

I think the largest misconception is that you won’t get to interact with men. In our case at Spelman, as well as other all-women’s colleges, there are usually co-ed or male gendered institutions nearby. I think people also believe they are “finishing schools,” and don’t prepare you for the real world. A couple other myths are that the student body must all be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community and that everyone is either catty or competitive.

What drew you to studying comparative Women's Studies? What were some of your biggest takeaways from the major?

To be honest, I was drawn to Comparative Women’s Studies because of the broadness of the topic. A Women’s Studies degree prepares you for almost anything because in essence, it’s the study of people. It’s an interdisciplinary major that explores complex social structures, and confronts injustice and oppression. Above all, it helped me understand myself. Knowing I wanted to re-enter the world of entertainment, I thought it would help me be a better storyteller.

You began your career in entertainment as a professional actress in shows and commercials. Have you ever felt like sexism or colorism played in whether or not you received a role? Did you ever feel like you were hired to meet a diversity quota?

I don’t believe sexism played into whether or not I received a role as gender is typically defined in a casting breakdown. In regard to colorism, I can’t say for sure that it played a role in whether or not I received a role, but I’d be remiss to not acknowledge that I am a palatable Black girl. I’m not too light or too dark, I’m of an average size; I’d be classified as conventionally beautiful, and I have what people may refer to as “good hair.” If anything I’d say I was hired because of the above.

Shortly after graduating from Spelman with your Bachelor's, you took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles to pursue your career in entertainment full-time. What was that like for you and what has that experience taught you about risk-taking?

I graduated a semester early in the fall of ‘15. Immediately following, I took a leap of faith and founded my own creative agency. During that time, I was also invited to join the cast of Bossip on WEtv. After the first season ended, I was offered a full time offer to be Mara Brock Akil’s apprentice and assistant. Having begun pursuing entertainment at such a young age, everything I’ve ever done has really been a leap of faith so the move to LA was no different. I think obviously I had a little fear as I wasn’t sure what the experience would be like, but as I always do, I did it anyway. Looking back, I would say the experience reminded me that, if you do not leap, you will not soar.

You've worked with one of the most powerful Black women in entertainment, Mara Brock Akil. What has working with Mara taught you about being a boss ass woman in the entertainment industry?

Working with Mara taught me that people will try you, but be relentless in your vision. She reminded me to always get yourself back up and try again.

Have you ever found it harder to be trusted or relied on for a task because you're a Black woman, even if your credentials are just as good, if not better than, the mediocre white man who may only have a third of them? What has been one of your harder obstacles as a woman in entertainment?

I’ve been extremely fortunate in that I really have only worked with companies led or created to serve Black people so I haven’t found it hard to be trusted or relied on for a task because I’m a Black woman. I can say I have found it difficult, sometimes, being trusted as I’m often the youngest in a room. I’ve navigated this by continuing to speak my mind and asking people to take a chance on what I believe. With that, I also have to take responsibility if something does or doesn’t work.

Women's History Month is coming to a close and I can't let this interview go without speaking to you about your own venture, TRIBE, "which is a women's empowerment organization dedicated to reigniting the spirit of tribal community amongst women". What inspired you to create this organization and what has building this community taught you about the needs of women?

I was inspired to create TRIBE for a couple of reasons. I knew a lot of dope women who all articulated their need for community and I noticed there was a gap between a lot of young Black women’s potential and their opportunity for a myriad of reasons. I created TRIBE to bridge that gap. Building this community has taught me that most women just don’t have access to what they need!

You are one of the brilliant minds behind Yara Shahidi's Unguided IG TV series where we basically get a candid, inside look of what her day-to-day life looks like as she gets ready for events and travels the world with her family. Working with such a young powerhouse as herself, what has Yara Shahidi taught you about the future generation of women to come?

I would be talking all day if I talked about what Yara has taught me, but I will say she has shown me that in the words of her friends/co-stars, Chloe & Halle Bailey, “the kids are alright.” The future generation of women will use any platform they have to make this world a more harmonious place...not just for themselves, but for EVERYONE. They’re not just interesting humans, they’re interested humans!

If you could give a sentence, phrase or glimmer of advice to 18-year-old Maura about being a woman in the entertainment industry, what would it be?

If I could tell 18-year-old Maura anything, I would tell her that everything happens in perfect timing. You are not too young. You are not too old. At every stage of your life, you have something only YOU can contribute to this industry. And lastly, this is a business...being in it doesn’t mean you have to be of it. Find other hobbies, develop relationships outside of this business, have a life outside of work...the life you live outside of this business will be the unique stories that only you will be able to tell that will set you apart.

About Maura Chanz:

Maura Chanz is a creative with a rare ability to connect with all audiences. Maura began her career as a professional actress at the age of 13, appearing on Disney’s A.N.T. Farm and numerous national commercials. While taking a personal hiatus from acting, Maura earned a B.A. in Comparative Women’s Studies and Writing from Spelman College. Upon completion of her studies, Maura served as an apprentice to writer, producer, and showrunner, Mara Brock Akil. She formerly served as the creative director and producer of former LA-based lifestyle group TheBlakSheep TV founded by actor, Kofi Siriboe, which garnered over 7M plus channel views.

Today, Maura can be found in the city of Los Angeles creating for herself and others. She is the Director of Creative Media for 7th Sun Productions and the founder of TRIBE, a women’s empowerment organization dedicated to reigniting the spirit of tribal community amongst women.

Curate, Create, Cultivate: Creative and Connector Maura Chanz Gets Candid In Conversation About Women Empowerment