Robbie J. Atkinson: A Dauntless Filmmaker, Empathic Activist, and Force for Change
In the world of film and media production, few people wear as many hats as Robbie J. Atkinson, the CEO of RPX Media Production. She’s a film director, writer, and producer, and she leads a talented team of creatives who specialize in all stages of feature/short film production, fashion photography, and webtoon/comic book development. But that’s not all – she’s also an activist through her nonprofit, The Foundation for Inter-Ethnic Restoration (FIER), which focuses on raising awareness about racial literacy and trauma while fostering stronger allyship between diverse communities.
“Dauntless and empathic” are the words Atkinson says best describe her. “For my line of work, you have to have a certain amount of boldness–it’s important to stand strong in a willingness to dare to be defiantly creative, imaginative, and a visionary without regard for criticism. Likewise, being sensitive to other people drove me to analyze people’s personalities, lived experiences, feelings, and my own as it relates to story-telling for film and for my nonprofit.”
Atkinson’s passion for storytelling was born from her childhood experiences. She was exposed to film, psychology, and almost every genre of music at an early age by her father. His passing in 2021 spurred her to dive into her passion unapologetically and inspired her to film a co-written screenplay named “Kalimba”.
“I’m truly showing up as who God called me to be by following my passion for storytelling in a way that challenges people to be fully present in their emotions, embrace our human experience through the lens of biblical themes [like forgiveness, love, redemption, etc.], evaluate their understanding of connection [spiritual, physical, emotional or social], empathetically consider the lived experience of others and critique society based on where we are and where we’re headed,” she says.
Atkinson’s for-profit, RPX Media Production, specializes in all stages of Feature/Short film production, fashion photography, and webtoon/comic book development. Meanwhile, her nonprofit, The Foundation for Inter-Ethnic Restoration, raises awareness about racial literacy and trauma while fostering stronger allyship between diverse communities.
“FIER has been educating and engaging with our local community about racial literacy through creative outlets: dance workshops, Story Exchanges, live-discussions, and our Racial Literacy Database,” she says. “We’ve collaborated with experts from UCLA, Stanford Center for Racial Justice, Pratt Institute, even Seattle University’s Angelique Davis who’s had her work on racial gaslighting featured in Vogue and BBC. Meanwhile, RPX is highlighting unique stories through film while collaborating with artists in South Korea, Japan, and the UK.”
For Atkinson, walking in power entails unapologetically embracing her path, craft, and, ultimately, her self-development. “It’s statistically proven that women will downplay themselves, ask for less, dim their brightness–all because we’re socialized to accommodate others,” she says. “Yet, when you look in the Bible, Children of God irritated people because of how brightly they shined: Solomon’s wisdom, Esther’s strategy, Joseph’s visions, Samson’s strength. I believe that moving through your fear and using your talents is powerful.”
Like any entrepreneur, she has faced challenges in her ministry and business. “Firstly, I struggled with even making up my mind to start RPX and FIER–both required herculean risk and determination that I wasn’t sure I was capable of,” she says. “Eventually, that transitioned to self-doubt and sometimes operating out of desperation. For RPX, I made mistakes with one-sided partnerships, struggled with delegation, and taking ‘every’ client that came our way. Then, for FIER, I struggled to garner community support. In time, God taught me balance and discernment.”
Atkinson’s faith and relationship with God have been the driving force behind her work and impact. “Most importantly, my walk with God constantly reminds me that my inspiration, my favor, and success all come from him–this grounds me,” she concludes.
Dauntless and empathic, this filmmaker and activist is a force to be reckoned with. Her work inspires and challenges us to be better, to do better, and to walk in faith, purpose, and power unapologetically.
To connect with Robbie J. Atkinson, email rpxmediaproductions@gmail.com or admin@fieratlanta.org
This story appears in the Women Who Walk in Purpose and Power issue of TODAY’S PURPOSE WOMAN.
