Yvonne Welbon, a highly acclaimed independent filmmaker, hails from the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois.
Her academic odyssey commenced with the attainment of a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Vassar College, a prestigious institution situated in the charming town of Poughkeepsie, New York.
Following the completion of her undergraduate studies, Welbon embarked on a new adventure, relocating to the bustling metropolis of Taipei, Taiwan, where she spent a transformative six-year period teaching English as a foreign language, honing her skills in the Mandarin Chinese language, and, at the remarkably young age of 23, taking the bold step of founding and publishing a premier arts magazine, all with an initial investment of a mere $300.
During her tenure as the magazine's editor and publisher, Welbon successfully steered the publication for a period of five years, demonstrating her exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and dedication to the arts.
Ashley M. Welbon's academic journey was marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and artistic expression. She took the next logical step in her educational path by enrolling in the esteemed School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she meticulously honed her skills and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree with a specialization in film and video.
Following her postgraduate studies, Welbon further solidified her expertise by obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Radio/TV/Film from Northwestern University in the year 2001. This remarkable achievement underscores her dedication to her craft and her ability to excel in a challenging academic environment.
In addition to her impressive academic credentials, Welbon is also a proud alumna of the American Film Institute's renowned Directing Workshop for Women. This prestigious program, designed specifically for female filmmakers, provided Welbon with the ideal setting to refine her directing skills, network with like-minded professionals, and cultivate a sense of community and support.
Throughout her illustrious and distinguished career, Welbon has produced and distributed an impressive array of over twenty films, garnering widespread recognition and acclaim.
One of her most notable achievements is the critically acclaimed documentary "Living with Pride: Ruth Ellis@ 100", which has received an astonishing ten best documentary awards, including the prestigious GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary.
In addition to this remarkable documentary, Welbon's filmography also includes "Sisters in Cinema", a landmark documentary that chronicles the rich and fascinating history of black women feature film directors.
Welbon's films have been showcased on a diverse range of platforms, including the esteemed public broadcasting service PBS, as well as various cable networks such as Starz/Encore, TV-ONE, IFC, Bravo, the Sundance Channel, BET, and HBO.
Furthermore, Welbon's films have been exhibited at numerous international film festivals, exceeding one hundred in total, and have included prominent events such as the Toronto, Berlin, and Sundance Film Festivals, among many others.
Yolanda Welbon is currently actively engaged in the creation of a documentary film titled "The New Black", which is being directed by the renowned filmmaker Yoruba Richen. Additionally, Welbon is also working on her inaugural trans-media project, a groundbreaking endeavor that encompasses a multifaceted approach to storytelling. This ambitious project, titled "Sisters in the Life: 25 Years of Out African American Lesbian Media-making (1986 – 2011)", is a comprehensive online community building initiative that includes a book of essays, a documentary film, an extensive archive, and a cutting-edge mobile application.
