First black women to hold a senior video editor position for the NBA opens doors for black creatives
By Yolanda Rhodes
Chassidy Jade is an American film editor and director with southern and Caribbean roots calling Delray Beach and Memphis home. During the 2020 bubble, she became the first woman, person of color, and youngest editor to lead one of the NBA’s promotional post-production teams. She hopes to change the narrative of firsts through education & exposure in her local communities.
With many hidden jobs in the film industry, Jade directs attention towards developing aspiring video editors. Self-built #Editbae Bootcamp is an online course that teaches aspiring filmmakers the skill of video editing. The classes provide a one-on-one experience as well as recorded lectures. Students learn the dynamics of workflow and creative business.
“We are unseen outside the world of filmmaking yet the most on-demand. If people don’t know these opportunities exist, how can we even get to the conversation of diversity within an already confide industry? We need to teach the future to continue building a diverse infrastructure” - Chassidy Jade
In 2019, she created an annual all-female art show Visuals & Vibes showcasing local filmmakers and alternative creatives hosting 500+ attendees in Memphis, TN. Due to Covid-19, Jade revamped the show to a drive-in series Hood Film Junkie’s The Pull Up dedicated to independent black filmmakers establishing another sold-out event. All proceeds go toward The Royal Eye foundation, giving students access to free film equipment and general support to The Bahamas.
“There’s no art show like this. I figured if I could show some dope black underground films to “regular folk”, they’d gain interest in the arts and the filmmakers would gain a new following and/or clientele” -Chassidy Jade
The fight for diversity has been a long game. Jade made her mark with the viral short film Brown Ballerina in 2015, winning a Toronto Shorts selection and tour across the US & Canada. The project was the center of sparking the conversation of diversity in ballet alongside the rise of Misty Copeland and many black prima ballerinas. The film has been archived in the National Academy of Dance of Rome for student research.
Jade currently contracts with ad agencies in the commercial market. LA post house, Parallax Post has become the new home for the young editor known for their work on Beyonce’s Lemonade and Kahlil Joseph's BLKNWS. She’s also a director under P&G for Secret deodorant, most recently producing the WNBA’s #RaiseUp campaign. This is only the beginning of a very bright future for Chassidy Jade. To support her endeavors, visit www.crownmeroyallabs.com or www.chassidyjade.com