“I believe there is no such thing as an ultimate
Truth, but instead versions of the truth that
are put out into the world by those with the
tools and resources to do so.”
Joua Lee Grande is a filmmaker and community educator with a deep commitment to elevating underrepresented voices. Her work has been featured on WORLD Channel, PBS Digital, CAAMFest, and the PBS Short Film Festival. Her short film On All Fronts received an Honorable Mention from CAAMFest's Loni Ding Award for Social Justice Documentary. This film is part of a television series that won a Silver Anthem Award and received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2023.
In 2023, Joua was selected as a True/False Confluence Fellow and a PBS Accelerator Fellow. Before diving into her filmmaking career, she was a news editor at WCCO TV 4 News. She has also been recognized as a Jerome Hill Artist Fellow (2021-2023), a MediaJustice Network Fellow (2021), and a Diverse Voices in Docs fellow in (2019). As a speaker, instructor, consultant and mentor, she values passing on knowledge and resources to build a robust and diverse filmmaking community both locally and nationally.
Joua is rooted in the philosophy of community, collaboration and social change. She has over a decade of experience in nonprofits and grassroots efforts working with historically marginalized youth, families, and storytellers. Her work tackled challenges such as racial disparities, poverty, housing, violence, health and legal systems, education and professional barriers, and more. Her media education work prioritized supporting storytellers from underrepresented communities and bridging opportunity gaps. Her community organizing includes community building efforts, cross-racial solidarity work, and more.
Joua Lee Grande's work reflects her passion for community, storytelling and social change. As a filmmaker, she aims for her work to create opportunities for connection, understanding, discourse, and action.
Community Groups & Affiliations
The Waterers, Waterer
A-Doc, Member, Steering Committee Member from 2021 through 2023
Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Member
Documentary Producers Alliance, Member
CôR Collective, Member
Coalition of Asian American Leaders, MOVEE Participant 2017
Past Nonprofit Work
Storytelling:
SPNN, Media Education Program Manager
More Than A Single Story, Communications Manager
Arts:
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Instructor
Walker Art Center, Educator
Family and Youth Work:
Northside Achievement Zone, Family Connector & Academic Navigator
*Inspiring Leader Award, Leaders of Today Leaders of Tomorrow Awards at Hmong New Year 2013
Genesys Works, Program Coordinator
Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) Americorps, Youth Programs Coordinator