Emmai Alaquiva
Emmai_Medium
Emmai Alaquiva and LL Cool J on a shoot. Photo courtesy of Emmai Alaquiva.

In between film shoots with rap star Wiz Khalifa, The Voice contestant Chris Jamison and Steelers’ player Antonio Brown—and fresh on the heels of working with the OWN Network in L.A.—Emmy Award-winning producer, entrepreneur and mentor Emmai Alaquiva pops into NEXT Up to share his exciting week.

Monday, February 23

10 a.m. Stopping by the OWN Network in Los Angeles, California. I have been here since last Wednesday for a working and writing session for a new TV show with OWN. Today is the last writing session.

Noon: Meeting with a senior editor at The Price is Right (CBS Television City) in Hollywood, with VIP access to watch the show and see how it is produced.

4:30 p.m. Flight back to Pittsburgh.

Tuesday, February 24

9 a.m. Shoot with Steelers’ player Antonio Brown for CBS Game Changers, Day 1. Another day doing what I love #GodsFault

11 a.m. OLMEC Development Company: pre-production meeting with Bomani Howze to continue to pick out our story and build logistics for an upcoming shoot. Meeting with clients is an ongoing process along with developing relationships with them. I am truly blessed to meet so many amazing people.

1 p.m. Meeting with a potential grant writer to talk about funding opportunities for Hip Hop on L.O.C.K.

7 p.m. Not all That Glitters is GoldProfessional Athlete Panel at Robert Morris University‘s Sewall Center. Moderating and participating in a panel on what professional athletes’ journeys look like. The panel features current and past NFL, NBA, MMA and Pittsburgh Riverhounds players. All done as part of Robert Morris University’s Black History Month Program sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Services and Business Week.

9 p.m. Dinner at Jackson’s in Moon Township with my publicist Victoria Snyder of Diversity Partners, to review last week’s events such as meetings with Magic Johnson, CBS and Beats by Dre senior VP for marketing, Bozoma Saint John.

Wednesday, February 25

9 a.m. Steelers’ Antonio Brown shoot for CBS Game Changers, Day 2. Being able to highlight Antonio and his amazing journey along with filming for the home team is super fresh #AnotherDayAtTheOffice

Thursday, February 26

All-day filming for The Heinz Endowments for an upcoming conference scheduled for April 16-17, 2015.

Friday, February 27

Morning: Script meeting with Freedom and Dina Blackwell. I will be directing a short film on Homewood sponsored by the Homewood Renaissance Association.

6 to 11 p.m. Shoot with Wiz Khalifa and his mother for her birthday. Follow us both on the ‘gram, @emmai_alaquiva and @mistercap.

Saturday, February 28

All-day Macy’s Shoot with singer-songwriter Chris Jamison, from NBC’s The Voice. Highlighting the talents of a hometown kid is a privilege. #LoveWhatIDo #AnotherDayAtTheOffice

Sunday, March 1

Sunday is family day. Church. Lunch. Quality family time together.

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and SLB Radio Productions. She is co-author of the award-winning book, "Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania." For 15-plus years, she was co-coordinator and marketing director with Handmade Arcade, Pittsburgh's first and largest independent craft fair. She makes music as The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.