Alumna Publishes Her First Children’s Book
Francesca Andre, FTMA graduate, tells her son and others, "I Am A Phenomenal Black Boy"
Since earning a master’s degree in film and television (FTMA) from Sacred Heart University in 2016, Francesca Andre has been busy as a photographer, entrepreneur, author and mother.
Most recently, Andre self-published her first children’s book, I Am A Phenomenal Black Boy, which is available on Amazon.
Andre was home this spring due to the pandemic. When she felt like things couldn’t get any worse, she watched the social unrest unfold across the nation on the news: the racism; the wrongful killings of Black men and women.
“I felt troubled by the times. I was paralyzed with fear,” Andre said. “There were so many unknowns … between the pandemic and the protests. We were scared. We didn’t know what was going to happen.”
Instead of dwelling on the uncertainties, Andre channeled her emotions into her writing. What started as positive affirmations and a private book for her 7-month-old son called, “I’m Not Afraid to Shine,” eventually turned into a book she released to the public filled with an uplifting message for young Black boys: They are phenomenal.
Andre said she wanted the book to teach her son how to be a good person, how to take care of people and how to have empathy. The book includes details about positive and powerful Black leaders, education and identity.
After Andre wrote her book, she worked with illustrator Audeva Joseph who brought her words to life. “I’m very proud of this project,” she said.
Growing Up
As a little girl growing up in Haiti, Andre was deeply influenced by her godmother, Marie Antoine Andre, an artist who was involved in dance and acting. “I remember always being in awe of her,” Andre said.
Inspired to pursue the arts, Andre earned her undergraduate degree from Fairfield University. With New York City only an hour or so away, she started going there for commercial modeling jobs. “It was so boring,” Andre said with a laugh. “I had ideas. I wanted to be behind the camera. I wanted to create.”
When a friend brought a camera to Andre’s home one day, she was intrigued and started experimenting with it. A trip back to Haiti then gave Andre an opportunity to test her skills. “Photography really revealed itself to me on that trip,” she said. “It was like seeing Haiti for the first time.”
Andre snapped photographs of street vendors and everyday life in Haiti. When she returned home, she sent the photos to an editor at the New York Daily News, who loved what she saw. Andre started there as a freelancer and augmented the income by taking headshots for people.
Andre learned a great deal from her photography assignments at the New York Daily News and later on the New York Post, Newsday, Hearst Communications and other publications. While each assignment was a challenge—she felt pressure to get the perfect shot within a few minutes—the experience helped her become a better photographer. “Every assignment was different; a different story to tell,” Andre said. “A different reporter to learn from. There was a lot of energy there. This really prepared me for everything.”
Pursuing a master’s degree
Andre decided to pursue a master’s degree in the field she loved. She believed earning the FTMA degree would provide her with the credentials to be respected as a creative professional in film and television.
“I came into the master’s program ready to learn. I wanted to have the classroom experience to push me forward, and it did,” she said.
At times, Andre found it challenging to be a full-time student with a full-time job. However, the time constraint helped her work harder on her creative projects, one of them being her award-winning short film Charcoal.
The film captures the stories of two Black women as they embark on a lifelong journey to overcome internalized colorism, find self-acceptance and ultimately find redemption, Andre said. The film was screened at numerous U.S. and international film festivals and won several prestigious awards.
Newly enrolled FTMA students should “be ready to fully commit to the program,” Andre advised. She described the program as a safe space where students can try new things, make mistakes and lean on professors and peers for help, whereas, in the real world, they’ll be on their own. “So, take the time when you’re in the program to really focus and learn,” Andre said. “Ask all the questions. In your free time, get on a set and work as a production assistant. Do whatever you can do to get experience.”
Once Andre graduated, she took on more freelancing gigs and focused on her business, Optik 21, a creative agency offering high-quality photography and video services. She took a little a break when her son was born but is constantly creating and focusing her energies on photo, video and storytelling.
To learn more about Andre, visit her website.