DeMane Davis is a television director and producer whose most recent work is the highly anticipated series “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker” (Netflix/March 20.) The limited series stars Octavia Spencer, Blair Underwood & Tiffany Haddish and Davis produced and directed the last 2 episodes (of the 4 part series).

Davis learned about the first self-made female millionaire while in elementary school. The story of Sarah Breedlove (Madam CJ Walker) — a woman whose parents were slaves, who persevered to become a philanthropist and create a business along with processes and products that are still used today — stuck with her.

Davis was actually a receptionist at a hair salon after college and even flirted with the idea of becoming a hairdresser herself, so she sought out the producers as soon as she heard Madam CJ Walker’s story was going to be told.

Netflix Series Prompts Manhattan DA to Reinvestigate Malcolm X Assassination

She was honored to help round out the talented producers and crew, many of whom are Black women, including showrunners and writers Janine Sherman Barrois and Elle Johnson; writer and producer Nicole Jefferson Asher; legendary director Kasi Lemmons; Director of Photography, Kira Kelly and Line Producer, Lena Cordina. For Davis, producing and directing “Self Made” was a dream come true.

Davis began her career writing and directing indie features. Both of her films premiered In Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival and internationally at Edinburgh. She’s best known for “Lift,” the story of a “booster” or professional shoplifter which was selected for the prestigious Sundance Director’s and Screenwriter’s Labs. It starred Kerry Washington in her first leading role. “Lift” was honored with two Spirit Award nominations before airing originally on Showtime and now is streaming on Amazon.

Source: DeMane Davis: Black Female Director of Netflix’s Madam CJ Walker Film in High Demand