Jada Tolbert, a junior at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, received the distinguished “Behind the Camera” Award and Scholarship from the National Arts and Letters Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. at the 2025 national convention.
Tolbert, a UAPB multimedia communication student, was one of three winners of the award nationwide, which honors members of Delta Sigma Theta who are making an impact through film and media while working behind the scenes to uplift and inform their communities, according to a news release.
She shared that the recognition pays tribute to founder Osceola Macarthy Adams, a pioneer in the arts and a lasting inspiration for Black women in media, Tolbert said.
A native of Pine Bluff, Tolbert said many honorees and members of the sorority come from film backgrounds. The “Behind the Camera” award centers around filmmakers, editors and cinematographers, she said.
“I am deeply passionate about using the power of film to amplify Black voices, share authentic stories, and reimagine how underrepresented communities are portrayed on screen and make it artful and make souls leave the room wanting to research more and learn better about our communities,” Tolbert said.
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Frank D. Dorsey II, dean of the Office of Student Involvement & Leadership (OSIL) and executive assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs at UAPB, said that Tolbert being selected for the award “is a remarkable accomplishment that reflects your talent, leadership, and impact in the field of media. Your success is a proud moment for UAPB, and we want to ensure it receives the celebration and visibility it deserves.”
Her major at UAPB is multimedia communication with an emphasis on production. She currently serves as UAPB’s Delta Eta chapter president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Along with filmmaking, she serves as a media and marketing intern at UAPB for both the OSIL and Aramark, where she creates content ranging from cinematic reels to promotional visuals that highlight the vibrant spirit of student life.
Tolbert also assists with media at her church, House of Prayer Bible Church in Pine Bluff. Additionally, she serves as a public relations specialist and president of the Total Equality Advocates Club, which focuses on the sexual health of students at UAPB through workshops held on campus and throughout the community.
Although she was born in Pine Bluff, Tolbert graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock. As a child, she loved playing and traveling to Little Rock with her mother, Juanita “Shan” Tolbert. The two found entertainment in going to the movies. Tolbert said that her mother wanted her to be able to relate to the movie that they were seeing, but found difficulty in finding films that displayed “accurate representation.” She emphasized the importance of children seeing themselves in films. However, most films lacked black females, while others portrayed them in roles that were very stereotypical or limited, she said.
“I can’t be mad at the film industry. You can’t be mad at something that you don’t contribute to,” Tolbert said.
Combining her love for editing and screenwriting, she started by making what she described as “short silly films” with her friends in high school.
“The teacher would give us an option to either write a paper or do a video of what we learned. I didn’t really like writing papers anyway, but it’s actually more fun to do the video. So, I grabbed all my classmates and went to make the video at school. It was just history from there, and I found myself enjoying every moment of it every time I did it,” Tolbert said.
She joined the Arkansas Cinema Society, which offered a filmmaking lab program for teenage girls. She was one of 12 young women who participated in a summer program with professionals heavily involved in the film industry who taught them everything they needed to know.
One of those instructors was Little Rock native Jeff Nichols, an American film director and screenwriter known for “Take Shelter” (2011), “Mud” (2012), and “Midnight Special” (2016). The group created a film entitled “A Period Piece” (2022) with Tolbert serving as the cinematographer. She described the project as “a big success” with the finished product premiering that year at the Arkansas Cinema Society’s annual film festival called Filmland.
“I still cherish that, and I just kept on going ever since, especially when I hit (the UAPB) campus.”
Tolbert has partnered with the Arkansas Cinema Society on several other short film projects that have allowed her to explore meaningful storytelling. She continues to work on a variety of projects that reflect both creativity and purpose.
Tolbert’s commitment to meaningful storytelling is evident in her independent work. She has written and directed several short films and screenplays that have been recognized for their emotional depth and unique perspective. She aims to craft narratives that not only entertain but also challenge stereotypes and foster connections with all walks of life.
“Looking ahead, I aspire to continue creating bold, thought-provoking films that center the stories of people of color, especially women, through a lens of dignity, power and innovation. I am committed to building a body of work that shifts culture, sparks deep conversation, and leaves a lasting impact,” Tolbert said.