Interview with B. Dave Walters Creator of Dear America from a Black Guy

Being a geek often means that we drown ourselves in various forms of escapism whether that be video games or anime. However, there are times when we need to put down our virtual sword and shields to stand for something in real life. That is why I am so excited to bring to you an interview with B. Dave Walters on himself and his new documentary, Dear America from a Black Guy! B. Dave Walters is a fantastic human being that you’ll no doubt respect as both a member of our geek community who is doing whatever he can to move not only this community but America itself into a more progressive era.

Please enjoy!

Although I love and adore you and your work, could you introduce yourself and your brand for any readers who are learning about you for the first time?

*I’m B. Dave Walters and I say words about things. I’m a Storyteller & proud Scoundrel American. I’m best known as the writer and co-creator of Electropunk, Dungeons & Dragons: A Darkened Wish for IDW comics and creator and DM of the Darkened Wish streaming show for Wizards of the Coast. I play Baron Victor Temple on Vampire the Masquerade: LA by Night on World of Darkness Twitch and Freely on Silver & Steel on D&D Beyond Twitch.

 

What is your origin story when it comes to Dear America from a Black Guy?

I’m black in America with eyes and a brain! I saw a quote today that summed up my feeling perfectly: “In Trump’s America, there are no black victims. They always had it coming.”

The partisan divide has become so great that we don’t even see each other as human beings anymore. And there’s no hope for the country if we can’t even see each other as PEOPLE.

 

What do you feel separates Dear America from a Black Guy from other documentaries?
My goal is to remind everyone that we’re all in this together and have way more in common than the things that separate us. I want to actually talk and more importantly listen to people across the ideological spectrum to show how much we actually have in common. We all want a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and a better world for our future. This project is about building bridges in a world seemingly intent on driving us apart.

 

 

From concept to the final product what was your personal favorite part about creating your documentary?

The idea that it might just help save the country!

 

As a person of color, your work with BlackAF Round Table, Dear America, from a Black Guy I appreciate you using your platform to bring change to our community that it so desperately needs. What advice do you have for fellow PoC content creators who want to help out? What do you feel is the most effective way to assist?
Just keep speaking your truth. One of the biggest problems we have as a nation right now is what we all believe about those people. In the case of black people, we’re ‘thugs’ and ‘animals.’ The more we are publicly seen in all our diasporic beauty, the harder it becomes to maintain those lies.

Also, don’t be afraid to speak the truth! I’m a working writer, screenwriter, and content creator all while speaking truth to power. Don’t ever back down, or be bullied into silence. Ever.

 

You just radiate such confidence and the swagger of a champion. However, a lot of geeks often struggle with overwhelming self-doubt, anxiety, and depression. When you have those bad days and get down on yourself, what do you do to remind yourself that you are wonderful?
Oh man, maybe that will be the topic of the next documentary? If I had to sum it up in a single quote, it would be ‘no one is you, and that is your power.’ I see people comparing themselves to people like Matt Mercer, Jasmine Bhular, or me and say ‘I can’t do what they do.’ You know what? You’re right! You CAN’T do what we do, but we can’t do what you do. Your stories are yours, and they deserve to be told. Holding back isn’t helping anyone, in fact it’s actively hindering the world. We are in the midst of the darkest timeline, we need your unique light now more than ever, so let it shine!

My DMs on Twitter (@BDaveWalters) are open, if you ever need to talk to someone, hit me up.

 

You hustle so hard for your brand and it has shown in so many amazing ways but when you do have a day off, how do you spend it?

What is this ‘day off’ you speak of? I think I recently worked 93 straight days–which I don’t recommend, by the way.

The challenge is almost all the things I do are fun so even during ‘time off’ I still pick at things at least a little bit, but the main thing I do to unwind is get caught up on all the TV and movies I’ve missed working harder than a cat with puppies! All jokes aside, though, I meditate twice a day and that helps keep me rooted in the midst of all the swirling insanity around me.

I NEED YOUR HELP!
My @Indiegogo for my documentary
Dear America, From A Black Guy is live!

Help me tell the story of how racism has shaped this country, why #BlackLivesMatter is so important, and how we can start healing this country.

Check it out:https://t.co/Kgnj95DMnS pic.twitter.com/5Q3i77W9tX

— B. Dave Walters: Revolutionary Content Creator (@BDaveWalters) July 10, 2020

How can we best support and find more information on you and Dear America from a Black Guy?

We have a week to go on the Indiegogo! If you have the resources please support the project, but no matter what please signal boost the project:

The good news is we’ve already raised enough money to make it happen, so one way or another Dear America, from a Black Guy is going to happen!