Meet the Team

Founder
Spring’s love of the literary and theater arts began in childhood and led her to a career in the entertainment industry. She studied theater and communications at Boston University before graduating from Columbia University with a major in socio-anthropology and a minor in creative writing. She wrote and directed the short film, The Smell of Smoke, and is adapting more of her own stories for other film projects. She has a collection of short stories written from the perspective of children, published poetry, and a novel in the works.
As the writing teacher for I’ll Tell You My Story, Spring is grateful for the opportunity to teach girls how to use writing for reflection, healing, and keeping personal records of the often-unfathomable experiences that they have as young E. African refugees. She wants the world to hear their stories.

Founder
Emily studied photography at the School of Visual Arts in New York, before living in Los Angeles and Seattle to photograph rock bands, people and animals. Her photography business Best Friend Photography; bestfriendphoto.com, demonstrates her artistic talents as well as her love of animals. She lends her photography skills to the Seattle Animal Shelter and has been documenting Native American youth in Washington State learning to surf with Warm Current.
An advocate for the welfare of youth, Emily has mentored with Big Sisters, worked as a Truancy Interventionist for Seattle Public Schools and as a photography instructor at Youth in Focus. She is an engaging teacher who brings her open heart and adventurous nature to the classroom. Always ready to encourage and engage others, she reminds young people that their individuality and talents hold an important place in the world.

Founder
Zippy is the founder and director of AfroFilms International (afrofilmsinternational.com.) She graduated from New York University Tisch School of the Arts (Asia) in Singapore where she realized she wanted to spend her career telling stories of her own making. Since then, Zippy hasn’t stopped making films, producing documentaries, or working for hire with studios such as Walt Disney, Universal Studios, and others. She is the director of a documentary about the Mao Mao revolution that will be released in 2024.
Her film, “Burnt Forest” tells the true story of political violence in Kenya that upended her family’s life when she was a child. Zippy is a passionate teacher who volunteers at Maisha Film Lab in Uganda where she teaches young filmmakers. I’ll Tell You My Story gives Zippy the opportunity to share her life story and skills with other African women – inspiring them to think differently about their futures - and to know that they can find support in other African women who follow their passions.