My First Sundance Was One For The Books
Feb 29, 2026
From being in the same room as Ryan Coogler, and at the same table as Ava DuVernay and Nia DaCosta, to exploring the Park City, Utah streets in the 2026 Acura ADX, and bobsledding like Team USA...
My very first Sundance was made possible by Acura, and it honestly was one for the books (I’m still processing, if we’re being honest).
It’s amazing how, when you set an intention that is in alignment with God’s plan for your life, things begin to take off. At the end of 2025, I casually journaled about wanting to take my interest in documentary filmmaking more seriously. That same week, my good friends at Acura invited me to join them at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Fast-forward to January 2026, and it was quite the experience. From sitting at the table with legends like Nia DaCosta and Ava DuVernay during the Celebrating Sundance Institute: A Tribute To Robert Redford gala to bobsledding at the same facility that trains Team USA, my first time in Utah was one for the books.
Here are my takeaways from the experience.
Storytelling can be life-altering.
Friday night’s gala began with a video narrated by the late activist, actor, director, and champion of independent film, who shared his love for storytelling.
One moment that stood out to me was his reflection on his love of books, which transports him to places around the world. I, too, developed an affinity for reading in my childhood because, no matter what was going on in life, nothing better helped me escape than a good book.
To have a seat at the table in the center of it all was a true honor, and I am filled with immense gratitude for the opportunity.
Even more, I cannot believe that Ava DuVernay slipped into the empty chair at our table a few minutes late and introduced herself once the dinner intermission began.
Moreover, Boots Riley came and greeted me as if we were old pals, and unbeknownst to him, reminded me that I can consider myself a filmmaker. Although I have one short film, a documentary titled Voices Unheard: Family Ties, out in the world, it doesn’t stop the many that I hope to share someday.
Although some of the biggest stars filled the room, such as Ryan Coogler, Ethan Hawke, Woody Harrelson, and a host of others, it was such an intimate night, and a reminder that a lot of those people’s initial vision that led to their success today is a product of their love for storytelling in some form or fashion.
Making room for adventure is a necessity.
The recipe for living a fulfilling life, at least in my view, is always to make time for play.
On Saturday, after soaking in and rubbing shoulders with folks across film with Thursday night’s Buddy premiere party, and Friday evening’s tribute dinner to Robert Redford, we took a bit of a detour from Sundance. We had the opportunity to visit Utah Olympic Park for a personalized Team USA Bobsled Experience.
The ride was made possible by the 2026 Acura ADX, the gateway Acura SUV intended to attract young, premium buyers to the Acura lineup with a fun-to-drive spirit, youthful styling and premium features including the panoramic moonroof, a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system (the Beosonic Sound Wheel is hands down my favorite feature, and why this vehicle is in the running for my next whip), ventilated front seats, and too many dope features to name!
As a kid, the movie Cool Runnings was my introduction to the sport of bobsledding. Additionally, there was a ride at our local amusement park, Kings Dominion, that let riders experience what it was like to bobsled.
At the age of 33, I made the moment my own by getting suited up and embarking on a bobsled journey where they train Team USA for the Winter Olympics!
Thanks to Acura serving as the Official Automotive Partner of USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS) as part of a technical partnership announced in 2025, it wasn’t long before we were on our very own bobsled, ultimately coming in at 46.70 (not bad for first-timers).
In addition to Saturday’s fun ride, Sunday’s Pilates class hosted by Peleton’s Emma Grede and the opportunity to have my Aura read were other special moments that transpired – I wish I had recorded my aura reading, because babyyyyyyy it answered A LOT of questions that have been swirling around in my head lately.
I also met my colleague, Michealei Graham, for the first time, and got to sit in on a pretty powerful panel that included CultureCon and The Creative Collective CEO and Founder, Imani Ellis, Bleecker Street President and CMO, Tyler Dinapoli, and Topicals Founder and CEO, Olamide Olowe, powered by Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business. It was titled “The New Hollywood Hustle: Building A Creative Career in the Digital Age,” and the gems dropped were exactly what I needed, right when I needed them.
Another discussion I attended just moments before featured one of my favorite Scorpio women, Erika Alexander, who discussed her return to sitcom television in an intimate fireside chat about NBC’s The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins.
“You have to be seen to have power,” said Alexander at some point during the conversation, and it was something that I needed to hear, as I often tremble at the thought of putting my work on full display to be perceived.
Dreaming big comes with great reward.
When the Honda Motor Company launched Acura as its luxury and performance vehicle division in 1986, it resonated with the company’s slogan “Power of Dreams” in remarkable ways, especially as the first Japanese premium brand.
Here we are 40 years later, and Acura remains committed to the values of its parent company, particularly as a Sundance Film Festival sponsor for the past 16 years.
The Sundance Institute is where so many greats have gotten their starts, and where some of our favorite films, like House Party, Sorry to Bother You, Precious, Summer of Soul,and countless others, have won awards before being made available to the masses.
In addition to my work on the ground as a guest of Acura, I found my way to the lobby of the Pendry in Park City to interview the Turner Brothers, Justen and Julien Turner, about their Sundance premiere with FreeLance. (Read more about that here.)
My first time at the Sundance Film Festival was also the last time the event will be held in Park City, Utah, in its 48-year history. As it moves to Boulder, Colorado next year, I hope I’ll attend again in some capacity – who knows, it could be to premiere a project of my own.
Read my additional Sundance coverage below.
How The Turner Brothers Brought Their Major Filmmaking Ambitions To Sundance With ‘FreeLance’
