Miela Fetaw is a former employee of Capital B.
What I do at Capital B
As a live event producer, I’m responsible for building, planning, and coordinating all events on behalf of Capital B. On event days, I am charged with guiding events from ideation to completion.
Why I came to Capital B
The short answer is that I believe in Black media and, even more, Black women. The long answer is that as an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and events programmer, I’ve always made it my mission to use every opportunity to highlight local Black stories for Black communities. My journalism work has appeared in The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, Essence, The Daily Beast, and others. My film work has appeared on PBS, WORLD Channel, The Intercept, BET, and La Biennale di Venezia. Every story and professional accolade was a fulfillment of that community-focused mission.
I stumbled across my current role after the application deadline passed. (I have a Twitter thread on manifestation and why I came to Capital B.) But Capital B’s mission was so directly aligned with mine that I still felt compelled to apply. It paid off. Now that I’m here, I wake up every morning excited to contribute to a Black news organization. Capital B is exactly what we all need. There’s nothing like Capital B.
Where I’m from
I’m a new resident of Chicago, but prior to that, I lived most of my life in Milwaukee. (Home of the current NBA champs! Go Bucks!) Living in the Midwest has given me opportunities to focus on important local and regional stories. Most recently, my documentary short film, Metcalfe Park: Black Vote Rising, had its broadcast premiere. The film follows a mother-daughter activist duo in Milwaukee determined to register inner-city Black residents to vote ahead of the 2020 presidential primary. I hope to remain in this region and continue telling untold stories like those in Metcalfe Park. As Kanye said, “You know what the Midwest is?”
What song I’m listening to on repeat right now
I come from the sad emo girl era of Tumblr and when I’m not listening to sad girl songs or after-hours R&B slow jams, I appreciate upbeat music. The song that’s giving me life right now is “Isii Nafta (Love You More Than My Life)” by Nimco Happy. I blame TikTok.
My favorite Black storytellers/creators
I credit much of my artistry to Black women and Black culture. I am deeply inspired by the work of author Toni Morrison and Audre Lorde, who actively advocated for self-care, communal care, and uplifting Black womanhood. And also actor and producer Issa Rae! What she’s done presently for Black women, what she’s done for Black creatives, what she’s done with Insecure is *chef’s kiss.* I don’t have the language to explain her impact other than I have been moved and motivated. Rather than waiting to be invited to the table, women like Morrison, Lorde and Rae carved their own tables and gave Black people the first seat. Their existence themselves are acts of resistance.
And then there’s my family! As an Eritrean immigrant, I come from a culture full of oral storytelling. I draw from my elders and family history often. I was raised in a family that possessed an intense love for storytelling. I know how to tell a story because of my family. I was inspired to tell stories because of my family. I am a storyteller because of them.
Where you can find me
I’m on Twitter @mielafetaw, and you can reach me at miela.fetaw@capitalbnews.org.
