the inspiration behind tender

tender is a simple story, close to my heart. tender is about Black women loving ourselves and each other fully - our scars, joy, queerness, desire, and vulnerability. I’m fascinated and fortified by the bonds I share with Black women and I wanted to try to capture that power. I also wanted to explore emotional intimacy, sexuality, and loss, from a Black woman lens, which we don’t see nearly enough. 

I also like playing with age and class and am compelled to write Gen X female characters (like me and my friends) who are actively reflecting on their life. And in this film’s case, a reflection through the eyes of your seemingly younger self.

Lastly, because I’m a champion of joy and because Black joy is resistance, this is also a film about joy and how we can find both joy and connection in unlikely places when we feel safe and allow ourselves to.