Faith, Tenacity, and Film: Vanessa Vanderpuye’s Journey to Challenge Norms and Inspire Change

I studied criminal justice, which might seem worlds away from the creative industry I am in now, but that experience gave me a deep understanding of how systems work, and more importantly, how they can fail people.

Violet Simon

by Violet Simon

November 21, 2024 ∙ 6 min read

Life has thrown a few curveballs my way, and each one has shaped who I am today. I have encountered challenges that have forced me to question the status quo, to push beyond what’s comfortable or expected, and to carve out my own path.

As a firstborn in a Ghanaian household, growing up I often felt like I didn’t fit into the boxes that society seemed to expect of me. Whether it was the pressures of traditional career paths, cultural expectations, or the internal doubts that sometimes whispered I wasn’t good enough, these challenges have been constant companions on my journey. But rather than let them define me, I chose to see them as opportunities to redefine myself and the world around me.

Going against the grain often means facing criticism, doubt, and rejection daily. There were times when I questioned if I was doing the right thing or if I was risking too much by stepping away from a more stable, predictable career path.

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