“Am I too African to be American or Too American To Be African? is a documentary film that explores the complex identity formations of young African women living in America and West Africa who identify bi-culturally. It specifically looks at how they wrestle with concepts of race, complexion, gender, and heritage among other issues.
Am I The Film was made with the intention to be as accessible as possible to the black global diaspora. If you would like a hard copy of the film please email nadia@nadiamariesasso.com.
Sarran Lan Jabbie
Brandkultered
Issa Rae
Awkward Black Girl
Mariama Jalloh-Heyward
GWB Comission
Yeniva Sisay-Sogbeh
Excel
Odunayo Adeoye
Oyato Designs
Ajara Bomah
Rhoylaty Concepts
Amita Dumbuya
Pinnacle
Professor Cecil Blake
Associate Professor for University Of Pittsburgh
Dr. Nadia Sassoo
FILMMAKER
Nadia Sasso has a dual B.A degree in English and Sociology from Bucknell University and an M.A in American Studies with a certification in documentary Film from Lehigh University. Her masters’ project was a documentary film, “Am I: Too African to be American or Too American to be African?” which explores the complex identity formations of young African women living in America and West Africa who identify bi-culturally. It specifically looks at how they wrestle with concepts of race, complexion, gender, and heritage among other issues. She recently obtained her Ph.D. in Africana Studies from Cornell University and continues to use film and new media to generate qualitative insights into the fusion of the U.S and African experiences, as well as identify the contours of new identity formations among immigrants beyond the first generation.
Born in America to parents who emigrated from Sierra Leone, Sasso believes in the potential for collaboration to inspire innovation. She spearheaded the corporate social responsibility initiative at Royal Dynamite so that the company donates an educational care package to children around the world when a t-shirt is purchased from the company. The initiative has led to collaboration with more than 300 organizations in countries across the globe. In 2010 she co-founded Yehri Wi Cry (YWC), an organization that distributes birthing kits in Sierra Leone to increase the successful birth and delivery rates for women. Named among Katie Couric’s “Next generation of Female Leaders,” Sasso received the “Young African Committed to Excellence Award” by Face2Face Africa magazine. She is also the 2013 recipient of the Posse Foundation’s Ainsile Alumni Achievement Award where she was honored for her commitment to social responsibility.
