Meet Natalie Battles | Actress, director, producer, filmmaker, cinematographer, photographer, host and community leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Battles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
To create a production company and events company for us, by us, funded by us. Since the beginning of Hollywood melanated people were missing or extremely underrepresented and when we were represented it was not in a flattering light. The other part for the ones that were there the history was not documented or shared. Mainstream media has been a tool used to control and brainwash for far too long. This is where Melanated in America comes into play. We will tell our true stories, celebrate our culture, honor our history, and solidify our place in the future. It is time for us to learn who we truly are and love that image looking back at us. Melanated in America does not only create artistic content and events but we also are a hub/agency for Melanated content creators. A One-Stop shop to get projects completed by talented melanated artists of all kinds. If you are looking for an amazing Melanated videographer, photographer, editor, sound, lights, actors, dancers, painters, etc. you can find them here at Melanated in America. The goal is to take full control over our voice, our narrative, and our image so that we will be MIA no more.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been told I am art. I have quite a few different art forms I started off as an actress and as I got older I moved into modeling. I continued acting, hosting radio, writing poetry and raps, dancing even getting my degree in theater which includes directing and properties work. Now I also have added photography videography editing and more to my list. I also teach art to adults and youth to help them take charge of their voice and their art form. All the art forms that I practice comes back to what I feel my purpose is and that is lifting up my people. This is what I feel sets me apart from everyone else I take care and time with the things that I do and it all centers around the melanated experience, our greatness, our truths, the things that plague us and how we can overcome them. Helping us to heal through the arts. I do this with my company Melanated in America but I also do this with my non-profit The Healing Academy. We are working to open community centers and schools in Chicago, nationally, and internationally to re-educate our adults and to truly educate our youth. Through my artistic practices, Natalie Battles, Melanated in America The Healing Academy and all the other community organizations, all the shows I host, and initiatives that I am a part of I want the world to know the truth, heal, and live a beautiful peaceful life.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love my city! Chicago is absolutely amazing and I find the best spots right on the south side of Chicago. Spring and summer time Chicago especially the city comes alive you can barely walk down the street without running into something free and amazing to do between the festivals, the fairs, community events,art shows, and so much more. I am vegan so I pride myself on finding all of the vegan spots to go to especially black owned. Majanis is amazing on 71st in the South shore area, I can’t believe it’s not meat has several locations around the Chicago land area with the Southside location being in Hyde Park. Then you have plant-based junkie, Soul vegetarian on 75th Street, conscious plate the first alkaline vegan restaurant and many many more. I’m also a bit of a historian finding all the cultural spots. One cultural place you have to go to would definitely be the South Side Community Arts Center which is the oldest independently owned African-American Arts center and collectible institution in the nation and pretty much anywhere in Bronzeville. You can read more about it in my spread with the American journal of folklore global quarterly that dropped November of 2021. And in my segment on the Jam TV show in 2020. Chicago has such amazing history specifically African-American history and the art scene is absolutely amazing and always has been. Lifting as they climb by my sister friend Essence McDowell is another great way to not only learn some amazing history of Bronzeville but also go on a walking tour to all the locations.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a shout out to my amazing mentors Masequa Myers and Pemon Rami Legends of the film and theater industry. I have been trained by them since I was 15 years old and I am who I am because of the things that I learned from them. It is such a blessing just to know them let alone call them my theater mom and dad/mentors. Another shot out goes to my friend and my co-founder of The Healing Academy our arts and education based nonprofit, Dionne Victoria of Dionne Victoria studio for showing me I can. I also have to give a huge shout out to my family they are my support system. I would not be able to do anything that I do without them. My big sisters and role models Carlisa Thomas the Purple Ribbon Chef, Cherlnell Lane the poetic storyteller, my support my mother Ernestine Battles and my protection my brother Nathaniel Battles

Website: nataliebattles.com

Instagram: Ms_battles

Facebook: Melanated in America

Youtube: Melanated in America

Other: Additional websites melanatedinamerica.com wehealheal.org Additional Instagrams @melanated_in_america @we_heal_heal Additional Facebook’s The Healing Academy @wehealheal Melanated in America movement (group) YouTube The Healing Academy Link tree https://linktr.ee/nataliebattles

Image Credits
Tony Smith Matt Marion Bernard Brown