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While we honor the dynamic men and women in the arts, business, science and more during Black History Month and move into Women’s History Month in March, we highlight Vignetic’s own, Niki Frazier-Curry.

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Staff Spotlight: Niki Frazier-Curry, Senior Records Specialist and Project Lead

February 27, 2022

While we honor the dynamic men and women in the arts, business, science and more during Black History Month and move into Women’s History Month in March, we highlight Vignetic’s own, Niki Frazier-Curry.

The road to developing her creative passion has been many years in the making for Niki Frazier-Curry. The Prince George’s County, Maryland-based Senior Records Specialist/Project Lead for Vignetic, has been working towards it on and off for more than 15 years. These days, when she finishes her job, she is making everything from feature films, short films, music videos, TV pilots and commercials through Kelektiv Media Group LLC, a minority/women/veteran-owned company that she co-founded in 2017.

Working Video Village with Sound Tech Yemi Fasheun

Niki, who started working with Vignetic back in 2014, is a multi-hyphenate (writer-director-producer-filmmaker (and sometimes actress!) who does not look for the limelight but thrives behind the scenes. In fact, she uses her astute project management skills to work on the overall product as a script supervisor or producer, where she can better focus on resolving challenges, tracking progress, and delving into all aspects of development on KMG’s projects that tackle provocative subjects – from family dynamics and domestic violence to Black action heroes and TV pilots with singer Lyfe Jennings.

Blade Movie Screengrab with Shawnta Turner, Jahsi Vance

“Being on set, even on the long days is so fulfilling to me. I loved anything dealing with being on set in the moment and getting the opportunity to direct. Even when I’m not the director, I enjoy being hands-on and seeing my roles merge.”

At Vignetic, Niki embraces an optimistic, solutions-oriented mindset when facing challenges. When asked how she juggles it all, “You can do what you make time for. Some days are crazier than others, but if you are passionate about your career and interests, you will make the time for it.”

Niki, who studied accounting and business management in college, did not set out to work in communications or film. Her outspoken written response to a newspaper article landed her an opportunity to become a contributing entertainment writer for several magazines and a red-carpet media correspondent beginning in 2006. She stepped away from it but returned in 2014 when a childhood friend asked her to edit a feature script. That sparked her interest again and launched her into the filmmaking business, with KMG President Brandon “SuperCoop” Cooper.

Behind the Scenes on the Set of Deserved with SupaCoop, DyRec Butler

During Black History Month, Niki says that she looks to dynamic, empowering, and visionary filmmakers, such as Ava Duvernay for inspiration in what she does. In addition to acknowledging the many legendary actors, such as Ruby Dee and the recently deceased Sidney Poitier, who had to fight hard early on to get roles and accolades, she says, “They were trailblazers. Getting these important stories on camera is creating a legacy and bringing these stories to life is important to me and KMG so we can lift new talent up. There are no boundaries to these stories and how they reflect our lives.”

So far, Niki has submitted a few of her projects to film festivals and awards competitions, including the 2018 Urban Action Showcase (Cinemax-sponsored award for Best Action Sequence), and the 6th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest). Her most recent ensemble film, the well-received Thanksgiving Roast, which she acted in, served as Unit Production Manager, script editor, and script supervisor, will soon have a sequel.

Thanksgiving Roast Production Team with Lead Actor Tray Chaney

While the upcoming list of projects and ideas in development may make anyone else exhausted, Niki gleefully ticks them off in anticipation.

“I genuinely believe I’m called to do this. I know that every single thing that has happened over the course of my life has brought me to this point and I’m extremely grateful for that.”

Urban Action Award SupaCoop, Jahsi Vance, Kevin Dyrec Butler