Flawless Brown is an art collective and social group for creative people passionate about culture. Our society exists as a network for creatives at Emerson College seeking hands-on experience and artistic collaborations within their fields while fostering a supportive and healthy environment where every voice is valued. There are currently five departments: Flawless Society, Flawless Stage (performing arts), Flawless Writes (writing and publishing), Flawed Comedy (comedy troupe), Flawless Pictures (film chapter), and Flawless Radio (radio show).
History
FEBRUARY 2014
Flawless Brown Founded
Flawless Brown started as a theater troupe for women of color at Emerson College, built on sisterhood. Nyla Wissa founded the group after noticing the lack of opportunities for women of color, particularly in predominantly white spaces where lead roles were rare. Within one month of their first meeting, the group wrote and staged their first original production.
Fall 2014
Flawless Brown Grows
By fall, Flawless Brown had grown to thirteen members. Rehearsing in empty hallways and classrooms, the group created its first Fall Showcase featuring short scenes, spoken word, and movement pieces. The showcase filled Emerson College’s Multipurpose Room to capacity and remains a staple of Flawless Brown’s annual lineup.
Spring 2015
Flawless Pictures Founded
After producing a short documentary on Flawless for a class, Taylor Jett founded Flawless Pictures to create space for Visual & Media Arts students of color. By the semester’s end, the group had written and produced an original screenplay, Full Card, with a crew of people of color.
Fall 2015
FLAWLESS WRITES FOUNDED
Flawless expanded to include students across additional majors with the founding of Flawless Writes by Lissa Deonarain, supported by Alexandria Ellison. The team launched Flawless Mag, earning an EVVY Award nomination and recognition from ISSUU and Harper’s Bazaar as a must-read feminist publication.
Spring 2016
Flawless Marketing
After working with Flawless Writes, Allie Martinez and Kala Slade saw the potential and need for another new department: Flawless Marketing. The department has since evolved into one that creates and manages marketing campaigns, advertising and social media for each section of Flawless Brown while building the members skills in various areas.
Fall 2016
FLAWED COMEDY FOUNDED
Flawed Comedy was founded in 2016 by Nina Rodriguez to combat the predominantly white male dominated comedy scene at Emerson. Founding members are Nina Rodriguez, Ashley Dixon, Rochely Zapata, Indigo Asim, and Natalie Torres.
Fall 2020
FLAWLESS RADIO FOUNDED
Flawless Radio was founded by Emily Cardona and Shruti Rajkumar to create a safe space for students to discuss and learn about issues of race and intersectionality, both within and outside of Emerson.