This blog is part of a special Women Making History Series lifting up women who are working in and with communities to make history in our current time. The series is organized and written by Strategic Community Partners’ 2021 Urban Alliance Youth Intern, Jo-Anna Ballard, and will run throughout Women’s History Month (March).

Sareta Cheathem always knew she wanted to be an educator and pursue her passion for writing. As a young girl, she grew up writing songs and poems before eventually turning her ideas into scripts for movies and books. After graduating from Pershing High School in Detroit in 1989, Sareta studied Journalism at Ferris State University and Filmmaking at Wayne State University.

Sareta’s first opportunity in the film industry came in 2004 when she worked as a Production Assistant on 17000 Block, an independent urban film written and directed by her childhood friend and mentor Curtis “Al Nuke” Franklin. Though her role seemed limited at first, Sareta used the opportunity to work in every department, network with other professionals, and learn skills that would help her grow in future roles.

In 2017, Sareta combined her passion for writing and filmmaking with her love for education to launch Detroit Film Kids, an organization that teaches filmmaking and filmmaking techniques to youth of all ages. She currently operates the program while also working at Cody High School in Detroit. Her favorite part of the work is how it helps to motivate youth and mold the creativity of young minds. Since its founding, Detroit Film Kids and the projects produced by its youth have been nominated at several film festivals across the country.

Outside of her professional projects, Sareta is also an avid baker and loves to bake for her family, friends, and film students!

As a filmmaker and educator, Sareta is constantly inspired by her mentors Ms. Avahart, a former teacher at Cody High School, and Donna Marie Reid, a fellow movie and television producer. Throughout all of her accomplishments in the film industry and education, Sareta defines herself as a woman who is determined to get things done and build opportunities to make young people’s dreams come true. For her, success means loving what you do at your job and she is excited to keep inspiring future generations of filmmakers through Detroit Film Kids!

Women Making History: Sareta Cheathem