She Dreams of Owning a Film Production Company
“My dream is to have my own film production company,” says Ayana English-James, a 2025 graduate whose creative ideas, multiple passions, and leadership ability suggest strong success in her chosen field.
The Paterson resident received her Associate in Arts degree in communications last August. She is also the recipient of the 2025 Graduate Achievement Award in Digital Media.
When Professor Walter Behr announced the award at the May 19 Graduate Awards ceremony, he remarked that Ayana was “an outstanding student who strived for and achieved excellence in her course work. A major asset to our department in the area of studio production, she learned the craft and could always be trusted to take over and run the production events.”
A graduate of the Paterson Charter School of Science and Technology, Ayana first enrolled in a business college after high school where she pursued fashion marketing and management.
“I always had an interest in costume design,” said Ayana, but due to the rising cost of the school, she eventually left and enrolled at PCCC, where she chose to major in communications, a field that enabled her to explore and develop more of her talents.
At the 2024 Black History Month closing ceremony, Professor Lena del Torres, faculty advisor to the Black History and Culture Club, presents Club president Ayana English-James with an award for her outstanding leadership.
Ayana appreciated the hands-on opportunities at PCCC, enabling her to film athletic events and other college activities, including commencement ceremonies, and to expand her skills by editing the recordings afterwards.
Describing her “passion for history,” and enthusiasm for research, Ayana completed courses in Western Civilization and US History I and II.
Students create their own artworks at the Black History Month 2024 interactive program Basquiats ‘n Snacks celebrating street artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
“I was very into history in Professor (Lena) del Torres’ class,” said Ayana. Inspired to form a student club focused on Black History, Ayana asked Professor del Torres to be the faculty advisor. She not only agreed but also introduced Ayana to other students who shared that interest.
The Black History and Culture Club (BHCC) quickly became one of the most popular clubs on campus with informative programs on social issues, such as Black Hair, as well as exciting interactive cultural events that featured African music and dance, a program about American street artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, a celebration of the Harlem Renaissance, and much more.
“I learned from that experience that I am a leader,” said Ayana, who served as the president of the club. “I was never the leader of anything before that, but I realized that I had great ideas that people actually liked.” She also had the ability to motivate her members and the determination to achieve her goals.
Admitting that the role of club president was sometimes stressful, Ayana said she learned to deal with that by focusing on the goal. “I realized that the little things you can get caught up in don’t really matter. You just need to keep your eye on what’s important: the goal.”
Admitting that the role of club president was sometimes stressful, Ayana said she learned to deal with that by focusing on the goal. “I realized that the little things you can get caught up in don’t really matter. You just need to keep your eye on what’s important: the goal.”
Since completing her associate’s degree program last summer, Ayana took some time off from college to consider where she wants to continue her education. She currently works at PCCC as a coordinator in Leadership and Development for the AmeriCorps VISTA program and for the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF).
“My duties are similar to what I did for the club, but broader. We help students cultivate their leadership skills and take initiative in their own development.”
She also works with Tonya Anderson, PCCC’s dean of community programs outreach. “We recently had a maternal health program and also hosted professionals who deal with child care and community health issues.”
Ayana plans to resume her college education toward a bachelor’s degree by next spring. “I want a school with a great communications program.” She is considering mainly William Paterson University, Montclair State University, or Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Meantime, Ayana has been honing another one of her talents, writing fiction. “I write novels and short stories, mostly drama and mysteries, but I’d like to get into science fiction.” Also interested in playwriting, she has been learning online how to write a script, a skill that will benefit her future career.
When Ayana first dreamed of owning a film production company, she imagined establishing it here in Paterson, where her love of historical research, skill in media communication, and ability to connect with an audience came together at PCCC.
Now that Paterson is a thriving hub for filmmakers, Ayana’s voice, whether through documentary, entertainment, or educational storytelling, promises to be a vibrant addition to the media scene.
By Linda Telesco
Photos by Romina Franco
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