Meet Mary Morten

Mary F. Morten is a consultant, filmmaker and activist. She has over twenty years of executive leadership experience at nonprofits and is president of Morten Group, a consulting firm specializing in social change through skills development, public policy and advocacy.  Her 2011 film Woke Up Black won a Black Excellence Award from the African American Arts Alliance, and she is currently shooting the next installment, Woke Up Black. Again. She is also in production for Miss Gay Black America, a new documentary about the art of female impersonation, highlighting the life of her brother, Ronnie Reed a.k.a Terri Livingston.

Q+A

What is your favorite place to travel to? 

Locally: Sans Souci Euro Inn and Cottages in New Buffalo, Michigan. It’s just a quick drive from Chicago but feels like it’s in another world entirely. Far away: Paris- 

What inspires you? 

Young people’s ideas, energy and resilience.

If we came over for dinner what would you prepare for us? 

In all honesty, my partner Willa would probably make you dinner. She’s an incredible chef. I’d make you dessert: peach cobbler. I’m known for it. I have even occasionally FedExed it to friends across the country upon request! Someone once paid 300.00 for it in a silent auction.

What do you geek out about? 

The Today Show. I recently went to New York for some screenings of my film, and the documentary subjects and I went to a 6 a.m. taping. When we met Al Roker, I geeked out so thoroughly that they still tease me about it.

Favorite quote? 

“Service is the rent we pay for living.” Marion Wright Edelman.

Want more? Study up on her Wikipedia page or watch the movie she made!