Hey, it’s Jerrica.

The only movie I’ve been counting down to all year drops this month: Sinners.
I even have a reminder on my phone. That’s how much I care.

The last time I felt this level of anticipation? Black Panther.

A friend emailed me this:

And it hit me: most people don’t feel this way about movies anymore.
But then again… most people aren’t Ryan Coogler.

Because Ryan knows what many creators haven’t figured out yet:
Your content is your brand.

Views and engagement matter — but they only go so far without belief.
It’s not just about performance. It’s about resonance.

People don’t act on value alone.
They act when something reflects who they are — or who they want to be.

If your content doesn’t challenge a belief or stir emotion, it gets skipped.
If your name doesn’t signal meaning, it gets ignored.

That’s why the brand isn’t your logo or pitch deck — it’s the feeling your work creates.

Coogler gets that.

He doesn’t say “watch this.”
He says “this is for you.”

And with Sinners, I already believe I do — without even knowing the full plot.

That’s branding through belief.

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

• Coogler-Style Content – How to create belief-driven content that is your brand

• Opportunities to Greenlight Yourself – Grants, gigs, and calls for creators ready to make their next move

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THE MAIN ATTRACTION

So how do you build that kind of brand? You shift from sharing content to shaping culture.

Now as Ryan Coogler once said….

Period. So let’s get into it…

When Ryan Coogler’s new film Sinners was announced, people didn’t ask:
“What’s it about?”
They said: “I’m watching that.”

That’s not marketing. That’s reputation.
That’s the result of content that built belief.

Because your content doesn’t point to the brand.
It is the brand.

And here’s what a lot of creatives miss:
People don’t follow for value. They follow for conviction. Emotion. Identity.

Your behind-the-scenes short? That’s the pitch.
Your web series? That’s the portfolio.
Your Instagram skit? That’s the proof.

The belief your audience holds about you starts with what you create — and how it makes them feel.

5 Ways to Turn Your Content Into a Belief-Driven Brand (Coogler Style)

1. Lead with conviction, not credentials.
Coogler doesn’t introduce himself with “Here’s who I am.”
He starts with: “Here’s what I believe.”

Instead of saying “I’m a screenwriter,” say:
“I tell stories that prove we’ve always belonged at the center.”

→ Rewrite your bio, logline, or intro with a clear belief. Let people know what you stand for — not just what you do.

2. Make it cinematic — no big budget needed.
Cinematic is about feeling, not fancy gear.
Open your next video with tension, not text. Use sound, color, and pacing to make people feel something.

→ Start with a beat that lingers: a look, a sound, a question.

3. Build a reputation, not just a following.
Followers come and go. Reputation is earned.
Don’t just drop your project — document the why, the process, the vision.

→ Try a 3-part post series: “Why I Made It,” “How I Made It,” “Here It Is.”

4. Story is your strategy — and culture is your currency.
Your “About Me” shouldn’t read like LinkedIn — it should read like Act I.
Coogler doesn’t just tell stories — he roots them in culture. From using Black Twitter as a sounding board to weaving cultural specificity into his characters, he makes his work feel personal and collective.

Let people root for you before you ask for their support.

→ Start a weekly “creator diary,” respond to cultural moments through your lens, or share behind-the-scenes stories that reveal your process and your people.

5. Build belief before the drop.
People want Sinners because Coogler made them believe long before he promoted it.
Do the same. Tease your world. Drop inspirations. Let them care early.

→ Share moodboards, backstories, character diaries. Let your audience feel like insiders.

CUE THE OPPORTUNITIES

• Sesame Writers Workshop Writers’ Room | Deadline: April 14| Apply here

• SVA’s Artist Residency Programs | Deadline: April 15 | Apply here

• LA Frontera Film Lab | Deadline: April 16 | Apply here

• Vimeo Short Film Grant | Deadline: April 18 | Apply here

• 1st Annual Fade In Screenwriting Fellowship is accepting submissions | Extended Deadline: April 30 | Apply here

• Tyler Perry Studios Dream Collective Contest Opens soon | Deadline: 5/1 | Apply here

• NESTLE is looking for a senior social content creator | Apply here

• EVENT: Teachable x Creator Economy NYC are hosting CONNECT Conference | Join here

• The Black List is accepting submissions for their 2025 Annual Labs | Deadline: 6/1 | Apply here

• EVENT: Teachable x Creator Economy NYC are hosting CONNECT Conference | Join here

THAT’S A WRAP

With 12+ years in entertainment, I’ve co-written for TV, developed with Hello Sunshine, and led audience growth at Netflix. I help creatives turn big visions—like getting their own comedy special on Netflix or their own TV show about their life—into brand strategies, content plans, and monetization blueprints.

WHEN YOU'RE READY, HERE'S HOW I CAN HELP

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Includes:

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• Personal Brand Positioning (So you can be seen the way you want to be to get to your big goal)

• Custom Platform & Content Strategy

• Audience Growth & Monetization Roadmap

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