Today we’d like to introduce you to LaNeisha Watson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a Detroit native, a storyteller, and a mental health advocate. Growing up, my access to art and entertainment came largely through Black sitcoms like The Bernie Mac Show, My Wife and Kids, Girlfriends, Living Single, Martin, and The Steve Harvey Show. And of course, there was the radio. There was no place like WJLB in the late ’90s and 2000s. Television became my happy place, a space to escape, to laugh, and to dream.
Storytelling has always been a part of who I am. As a teenager, I dreamed of becoming an actress, but there weren’t many programs in inner-city Detroit that nurtured those kinds of dreams. Still, I always felt a pull toward expression, creativity, and connection.
Detroit has seen a lot. From the war on drugs to mass incarceration and the 2007 recession, it’s impossible to ignore how deeply these systems shaped our communities. Even if it wasn’t happening in your home, it was happening around you, and it left a mark. But even in all that, there was light. I remember programs like Focus: HOPE, Operation Get Down, and the Boys & Girls Club. They weren’t just community centers. They were places that poured into us. They gave us hope. They helped shape the story of who we are.
In 2010, I was accepted into the Disney College Program, where I worked as a custodian. That role changed everything for me. At Disney, I learned that storytelling isn’t just about scripts or stages. It’s in the details, the environment, and the way people feel in your presence. We even learned to draw Disney characters using only water and a broom. That experience helped me see storytelling as a way of life and a calling.
After Disney, I attended Full Sail University to study film. I knew I wanted to tell stories rooted in real, lived experiences. Not the narratives often projected onto us, but the ones born from joy, pain, humor, and truth. My work reflects everyday life, especially Black life, with honesty, care, and creativity.
Since college, I’ve taken my passion overseas, completing a film internship in London, England. Today, I work in the TV and film industry as a Senior Visual Effects Coordinator, bringing stories to life on screen in powerful visual ways. Outside of that, I continue to curate art experiences rooted in healing and representation.
Currently, I’m preparing for my third art exhibition in Detroit: The Black Muse Exhibition: Dear Black Mental Health, December 12 – 14, 2025. This exhibition is a love letter to our community. It is an exploration of mental health, identity, and creativity through the Black lens.
Storytelling saved me. It gave me voice, direction, and healing. And now, I use it to do the same for others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wish I could say it has been a smooth road, but no, not at all. Life is full of obstacles, but I’ve learned it’s not so much about what happens to you as it is about how you respond to it. There have been seasons where resources felt limited, where balancing vision with reality was challenging, and where self-doubt crept in. Building something meaningful often comes with rejection, delays, and the weight of carrying a dream others can’t always see yet.
But those struggles have sharpened me. They taught me persistence, creativity, and the importance of leaning on community and faith when the load feels heavy. I’ve also been fortunate to have guidance along the way. My therapist, Abigail Makepeace, has been instrumental in helping me navigate the mental and emotional hurdles that come with this journey. Every setback has been a lesson in patience and growth, and honestly, I wouldn’t trade them, because they gave me the resilience I needed to keep going.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am first and always a student of life. Professionally, I am a Senior Visual Effects Coordinator in TV and Film, and I’ve been fortunate enough to work on some incredible shows over the years. I love the magic of storytelling, the way visual effects can transport audiences into new worlds while still serving the heart of a narrative.
Outside of film and television, I also curate art exhibitions, with a focus on mental health and celebrating Black experiences. My upcoming project, The Black Muse Exhibition: Dear Black Mental Health, is something I am especially proud of because it will create space for conversations that are often overlooked and give artists a platform to share their truth. What makes it even more meaningful is that I am bringing this exhibition to the very neighborhood I grew up in. To be able to share something so deeply personal and impactful in the same community that shaped me feels like coming full circle. It is a way of giving back while also honoring where I come from.
What sets me apart is my ability to bridge both worlds, the technical and collaborative precision of film with the intimate, community-centered nature of curatorial work. Whether I am in a production studio or an art gallery, my goal is always the same, to create spaces where people can feel seen, inspired, and connected.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Therapy has been the biggest resource for me. No matter what my days hold, on Wednesdays I have a safe place to go and reflect. Having that dedicated space to process, heal, and grow has been essential to both my personal life and my career. I also draw a lot of strength and inspiration from Sarah Jakes Roberts. Her messages remind me to stay grounded in faith, to embrace growth even when it feels uncomfortable, and to believe in the power of my own story. Together, therapy and faith-based inspiration provide a steady foundation that helps me show up as my best self.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TheBlackMuseExhibition.com
- Instagram: @theblackmuseexhibition
