Ajani " AJ " Murray

AJ is an Atlanta-based disabled Actor, Podcaster, Speaker and Multi-Media Writer and Producer who is passionate about authentic representation with disability in Film and Multi-Media Networks. 

Tell us about your work/projects!

Currently, I'm working full time on my Podcast where the discussion is based on disability in pop culture, Film and Media. I have other projects open doing consultant work with Writers and Producers for a film, Jurying/Paneling on Disability Film Festivals and Promoting the most recent Film I've been in which is named Best Summer Ever.

A piece of yours ( in any medium) you're most proud of that you'd like to share.

My Podcast that I'm working on and the documentary "Becoming Bulletproof" that I was featured in.

What is your favorite thing about being a New Voices Scholar?

My favorite thing about being a New Voices Scholar is being a member of a common community of supporters. It's important in having these resources open, available to me, and sharing conversations to grow together. Community is highly important to me and I've always felt like this was a major priority within New Voices.

What draws you to storytelling?

What draws me to storytelling is the ability to share experiences and to be able to illuminate humanity. With storytelling, you're able to be transparent and there is power in transparency. I've found that storytelling has been the best tool of all the mediums. I want to also say I feel you are able to connect feelings with information and truth. With that, I feel you can be more influential for change, even more so than Politicians or Policy Makers.

What’s playing on your radio/audio streaming service right now?

Quest Love Supreme and Fresh Air

Hard-at-work-on-a-project snack of choice?

Cookies or Really Salty Chips... I know it's not the healthiest choices but that's where it's at for now until someone broadens my horizon any differently :)

What’s the most underrated tool (technical or not) that you use in your creative process?

Sometimes not using all of the things that are made available to you ... AIR isn't an Underrated Tool but Like AIR, you have this collection of sources and people that I sometimes don't use to it's full advantage and potential.

What is something you want to see more of in the industry?

I'd like to see more people with disabilities, partnerships and accessibility within the Industry. A creativity broadening of opening up scripts to a completely different level and accessing every person you can, to show and acknowledge the world around us.

Who is your radio/audio idol and why?

Hands down,Tom Joyner. He is a pioneer in the radio game. Tom was very funny but it was a party with a purpose. He always was a champion for African Americans and all of our causes. He was a business owner and he helped change the landscape of radio forever. He is the reason that I'm a Speaker/ Podcaster today. He showed the true power that the microphone has to galvanize and inform.

Anything you’d like to add?

My pursuit in this life is to make major differences in Film and Media regarding inclusion of people with disabilities. I have the ability to do that and I have the gift of passion in that ability. I believe it is my calling to use my life to make major changes for People with Disabilities and underrepresented groups. It is my love and it is my passion!