SIUC Graduate nominated for NAACP award

An SIUC alumna has received a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for her short film "Walking on Sunshine," which is in the same category as Jamie Foxx's film "Redemption." Tracy Taylor, 28, wrote and directed the 30-minute film, which premiered on World AIDS Day Dec.1, 2004. Her film is set to re-air Sunday on Black Entertainment Television.

Taylor's film tells the story of two sisters whose lifestyles put them at risk for contracting HIV. Taylor said she was first prompted to produce the film because of her shock at the high percentage of African-American women between the ages of 18 to 34 who contract HIV.

While AIDS is a worldwide problem transcending race, gender and sexual orientation, the 1997 SIUC graduate is using film to break down the myths and stereotypes of HIV in the African-American community.

"We're thrilled that the NAACP has nominated 'Walking on Sunshine,'" said Phil Wilson, director of the Black AIDS Institute, in a recent BET online article.

"Given the disproportionate burden the HIV/AIDS pandemic places on black women, it is only fitting for the NAACP to acknowledge the importance of this film about black women and AIDS," Wilson said.

Taylor said she hopes her film will raise awareness about the disease and how it is contracted.

"Way back in high school it came out in conjunction with gay white men," Taylor said. "Now, years later, it's heterosexual black women that make up the biggest numbers."

Taylor received a grant for $25,000 to produce the film from the Kaiser-Family Foundation and The Black Aids Institute in July.

She began her media career at the Daily Egyptian, where she worked as a reporter and editor.

She said her experiences at the newspaper helped shape her to deal with the challenges of being a female minority in the traditionally male-dominated industry.

"I was most known for being the black girl who worked for the DE because there weren't a lot of black reporters for the DE, and still I end up in those situations," Taylor said. "And until changes are made, it can be expected."

Lance Speere, general manager of the Daily Egyptian, described Taylor as a very outgoing individual who helped pave the way for other monitories to work at the student newspaper.

She received her first taste of Hollywood through an internship in the Hollywood Studies program at SIUC. It was then that she realized she wanted to work in film.

"I knew I was going to come back out to Hollywood to live and to pursue a career in acting and film, and the whole nine yards," Taylor said. "Sometimes the most frustrating thing in the world is trying to get into this business."

For those who want to pursue a career in acting Taylor warns that it is not for the faint of heart.

"So unless this is something you love with all your heart and believe this is something you know you have to follow and think you can make a reality of it, then go for it," she said.