Masika Learns to Swim

Who will she be when she comes up for air?


Masika – whose name means born during rain – explores her complicated relationship with water by finally learning to swim. As adult-Masika learns to swim, she dives deeper into her Blackness. What is she from? Who is she made of? And where will the child-Masika go once she jumps in?

Creative Team

Jay W. Austin

Co-Director

Masika Henson

Co-Director & Protagonist

Keenan Dailey

Dir. of Photography

Nico Giles

Creative Producer

Jen Zuckerman

Executive Producer

Rebecca Arguello

Artist

Masika Learns to Swim is co-directed by Jay W. Austin and Masika Henson. Keenan Dailey is the Director of Photography. The project is creatively produced by Nico Giles and executively produced by Jen Zuckerman. Rebecca Arguello is the physical medium artist.

Masika (Oakland, California) is a melomaniac, a DJ, and earth protector. She focuses on how the relationship between land and water influences and alleviates climate stresses. Her ultimate goal is shifting power and resources to the marginalized communities that take the brunt of the climate crisis.

Keenan (Champaign, Illinois) is a multidisciplinary afrofuturist artist who uses his artistic voice in conjunction with his design efforts to share catharsis with those populations who ordinarily wouldn't have the opportunity to express trauma.

Nico (Barcelona, Spain) is an Emmy-winning producer. His work is focused on social impact and narrative-driven change, and it has been featured on CNN, Netflix, and PBS. Nico’s projects are unified by one theme: pushing forward with difficult conversations around inequality and our troubled history, toward a vision of a more just future.

Jen (Durham, North Carolina) has dedicated her career to social change, with deep and broad experience in philanthropy as well as close relationships in community. For the last five years, she led the creation and evolution of the Duke University World Food Policy Center while also working with DEI Works Collective as a racial equity consultant. She leverages her leadership, experience, and relationships to shift power and resources to organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Rebecca (Pleasanton, California) grew up in the ocean, sparking her curiosity about the environment. Personal circumstances and the tragic loss of her sister shifted her full focus to painting, finding solace in the creative pursuit. Rebecca’s artworks have been featured in renowned galleries and collections around the world. And oh! She is also Masika’s childhood best friend.

Masika Learns to Swim is a documentary film in-person event project.

The final film will be 60-75 minutes long.

This project is open to underwriting and non-equity funding.

For more information, contact Jay.