Jordyn B. Harrison

Civic Media MA '23

“If you can dream it, imagine it, whatever ‘it’ may be, even if you don’t have words to define it yet, there’s likely a way to make it happen at Columbia,” says the recent recipient of an MA in Civic Media.

What would you say has been the most surprising thing you learned at Columbia? 

That the earliest depiction of affection between two Black people, shown in the film Something Good, Negro Kiss, was filmed in a studio where Columbia’s Student Center now stands. As someone who loves film, it felt meaningful to be so physically close to history in a place I frequented as a student.

What individuals or programs at Columbia were helpful to you in reaching your goal of graduating? 

To me, graduating was inevitable (though at times it felt far away) but having a meaningful and impactful experience throughout my program was because of the incredibly intentional and encouraging faculty members that I learned from and worked with. Each of my classes left me with a new perspective to consider, a new tool (or several) to use, and a piece of work that I could use in the real world. I'm incredibly grateful to all of them for creating a rich learning environment.

What are your plans for after graduation?

To work for a community-driven organization or company in a role that allows me to use my creativity and passion for visual storytelling to bring about social change. At the same time, I’m building my video production and motion graphics business, Foposoul, to help others tell stories of social impact, create visual art, and find a creative community.

If you were going to sum up your experience at Columbia in one sentence, what would you say?

If you can dream it, imagine it, whatever “it” may be, even if you don’t have words to define it yet, there’s likely a way to make it happen at Columbia.