The film tells the astonishing true story of Kermit Oliver, a reclusive genius who worked the graveyard shift at a Texas post office while creating masterful paintings now housed in the Smithsonian, and designing million-dollar scarves for Hermès.
(Honestly, I had never heard of Hermès, maybe because I’m wired to invest in things that appreciate, but I can certainly appreciate the wearable art Kermit created. Did you catch that?)
This wasn’t just a story about art. It was about faith, integrity, and the kind of legacy built without chasing the spotlight. During the Q&A, I asked director @ChrisCharlesScott about the economics behind the film, because as underrepresented stories, especially those from Black creators, are finally being seen, we still must ask:
Who holds the pen?
Who owns the rights?
Who benefits when the story takes off?
It reminded me that we have to evolve from just doing a thing to also owning something. Whether it’s your full-time focus or your side hustle, one must be placing you on a path to ownership, even if it’s a small stake. Own a part of your gift. Some of the most powerful cultural voices have been whispering all along. It’s time we listen—and invest according to our risk tolerance.