Editor’s Note: The Reel Black List is our annual spotlight of brothers and sisters in the worlds of film, TV, advertising, music, radio and media who are making a difference through their contributions and creativity daily.
Today we celebrate Yasmin Gorleku.
Many of us in commercial production know and love Yas as a producer working with creatives across the spectrum. What some may not know is that Yas recently made a major adjustment in her life and challenged herself to follow her true passion.
Yasmin Gorleku is the visionary founder of Yung Giants. Her unique heritage instilled in her a strength and empathy that shaped her mission to empower artists, turning personal trials into a catalyst for growth and creative advocacy.
Driven by a deep fascination with the human psyche and its impact on creativity, Yasmin carved a niche at the confluence of mental health and artistic expression.
Her ascent from an intern to a notable figure in Chicago’s creative industry marked the beginning of a greater mission: to empower artists to see the world through their unique lens and to flourish both personally and creatively. Yung Giants stands as a manifestation of Yasmin’s dedication to this mission, providing a platform for artists to navigate their mental landscapes with resilience and joy. Her work enriches individual creators’ lives and enhances the broader cultural tapestry with their unparalleled visions.
Let’s find out more about Yas.
What’s your origin story?
Alright, let’s dive into my somewhat lil ol’ origin story, set in the Chicago suburbs, a place as exciting as one would imagine a Northwest Chicago suburb to be. Picture a young girl, a blend of Ghanaian grace and African American resilience. I was headstrong, empathetic, and, most of
all, curious.
Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood, I was like a rare, misunderstood unicorn. I often experienced people challenging my existence daily. This unique experience sharpened my identity. It turned me into a champion of self-expression and a defender of individuality with a flair for style.
As I matured, I kept this deep understanding of my identity and leaned into the curiosity of human behavior. I decided to major in Psychology in college. It would turn out that this area of study would later come in handy. Fast forward, and I’m an associate producer involved in major projects.
Working as a producer, you have to have people skills. I quickly found out that the relationships I built with people were my superpower. People are my passion. I was able to easily build trust and could give sound direction to creatives. I shifted gears – from producing projects to nurturing
the very artists I worked so closely with.
In a moment of profound clarity, surrounded by vibrant, expressive artists, it dawned on me: my journey, marked by embracing my individuality, had the power to put others at ease. Witnessing artists unravel their distinct perspectives filled me with so much joy. Helping them grow personally and creatively became my calling – a path to show the world the irreplaceable value of seeing through their unique lens.
Here I am now, a warrior against self-doubt and creative blockages, Leader of Yung Giants, armed with psychological savvy and an impeccable wardrobe. My mission? To empower minds, one quirky, inspiring story at a time.
How did you get into film industry?
Production, in its many forms, has always interested me. There’s something about the medley of logistics, team building, creative collaborations, and numbers that always seemed so appetizing. A million years ago, I was introduced to Qadree Holmes, owner of Quriosity Productions, and decided to give him a call. I knew this would be the career shift I was so hungry for. I worked my butt off from intern to photography artists management to associate producer.
I entered my current role by realizing that the advice and clarity I would often give to my creatives and young interns were inspiring and effective. “People, over projects” was my new motto. It was a game-changer when I realized that my creative outlet was to work with artists and help them shape their internal dialogue. I started my company, Yung Giants, and have been on this path ever since.
What did your parents think you would be?
My mother thought I would be an actress because, as a youngin, I always had a flair for drama. Usually around the dinner table and in my homeroom class.
My dad thought I would be a college professor. I think this is because I loved being bossy. Ha!
Who were your mentors?
This is always a difficult question for me to answer because I have never had a traditional mentor. However, in my eyes, part of what defines a mentor is someone you study and whose behaviors you emulate. I have always had the best group of friends. These are my girls that I have known before piggy tails, right around the time of pull-up diapers. These women fascinate me. I constantly study them and emulate their habits and ethics. I have been blessed to have built-in mentors my entire life.
Bravest thing you’ve done?
The bravest thing I have done outside of eating a white castle crave pack is returning to school. I realized that I needed to better serve my clients by being able to address unhealthy habits and pathologies in ways that I didn’t have the tools to do so. I wanted strategies and methodologies backed by science. So, I took a deep dive and courageously enrolled in school at Northwestern University after 20 years. Now, I am pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. I like to think this was extremely brave…or crazy!
How do you handle failure?
I am one of those annoying people who like to believe everything (most things) happens for a reason. This means I take my well-deserved moment to pout, cry, and have an existential crisis meltdown. However, that moment has its time limit. Then I jump back on that horse and ride that baby on a new trail. Because quite simply, if I were made to have that opportunity, then it would have been mine. Everything happens for a reason. Failure happens as a mechanism for growth.
What do you do to pump yourself up?
Easy. I think back to my past. Where I have been, what I have gone through, and the mountains I have climbed… barefoot. I have been through a great deal in my life, and thinking back to these adversities gives me the motivation I need to get through the next obstacle.
What drives you to create?
What drives me to create is the inspiration I derive daily from what I see, hear, and taste. I have a profound respect for the arts. I am always surprised at how easy it is to get inspired to create. I love to write, sing, and style fashion. I recognize that most people view psychology as a science, but I truly believe it is part of art. The gratification I get when I use my creativity to really connect with my artists is unparalleled. It’s as if, somehow, I am creating methods of empowerment. This empowerment secures my artists to keep creating art that inspires the world. It’s like a continuous positive feedback loop.
What TV series, movies, or ads are portraying powerful,
inspirational Black images in 2023?
Blackness isn’t a monolith, meaning there are limitless relevant stories about our different experiences waiting to be told. I love it when a show/ movie, or ad takes us out of a stereotype and highlights the array of lives we endure. I am starting to see much more of this represented in our streaming episodic projects, but we are still working hard to get this on the big screen and ads.
Some TV series that I think did a good job capturing the black experience are Harlem, Unprisoned, and the movie American Fiction. One incredibly touching commercial is, A Beautiful Silence:60 by Subaru.
What is the biggest challenge to Black people in your industry?
Getting the world, not just the United States, to embrace Black stories. We have so many beautiful stories to tell, but if they are not epic stories about struggling against all the world’s adversities, theytend not to get told. It is often heard that the world is not “interested” in such stories. This is, by far, one of the biggest obstacles we face. We need the studios to put the content out there. If the global community is consistently exposed to these stories, we can then expect the change we desire.
Who is a talent, actor, director or writer, you are dying to work with?
I cannot pick just one! This is extremely difficult! I would have to say Jeffrey Wright is a dream client of mine. I would love to get into his brilliant head and see how he operates. I would love to break down how he makes such bold choices and his creative process when taking on a new role.
When you’re not creating, what do you do in your off time?
When I am not creating, I am still creating. I am currently rehabbing my home, and I am designing every inch of it with my partner. I also am an expert vintage shopper. I have my doctorate in vintage shopping. There is something so special to me about styling. I get to use other people’s design creations to style my mode of self-expression.
What are your guilty pleasures?
No judgment because this is a safe space… animal videos. My immediate and extended family have all blocked me at some point for the number of dubbed voice-over animal videos I send out.
Predict your future! Where are you in 5 years?
I predict that Yung Giants has grown exponentially. I will have my hard-earned doctorate in clinical psychology. I will have a brick-and-mortar in a vibrant Chicago neighborhood. I also predict that my clients have grown exponentially.
They have worked through some of their biggest obstacles, have balance, and are making the most fulfilling pieces of work they have ever created. Above all, I foresee a future where my passion remains undiminished, dedicated to nurturing artists and ensuring their continued growth.
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