Marquise Mays: storytelling seasoned with social justice

Embracing Black queer identity

Marquise identifies as a Black gay man, an identity that informs not only his personal experiences but also his artistic vision.

“Being gay in this moment, with freedoms and opportunities that many before me didn’t have, comes with a responsibility to create, to archive our stories, and to ensure that Black queer experiences are seen and fully realized on screen,” he says. 

For him, identity is not just personal, it’s political, cultural, and historical.

He often reflects on the famous quote, “Black men loving Black men is a radical act.” 

These words resonate deeply, shaping his understanding of love, intimacy, and self-acceptance. He sees himself as part of a lineage of Black queer storytellers who have used art to challenge societal norms and affirm the beauty of their existence.

“I have the privilege of participating in this radical tradition of love, standing on the shoulders of those who came before me,” he affirms.

Finding activism through film

The killing of Trayvon Martin marked a turning point in Marquise’s life. 

“I was two years younger than Trayvon when he was brutally murdered. That moment shaped me,” he reflects. 

Entering college with a profound sense of urgency, he immersed himself in activism, cycling through roles as a protest leader, Black Student Union president, researcher, and educator. However, it wasn’t until he discovered documentary filmmaking that he found his true calling.

“Filmmaking, for me, is soul food,” he explains. 

“Sitting with community members, listening to their stories, shaping them into sequences, adding nuance through visual language, and then witnessing people see themselves on screen, this became a form of activism I hadn’t known was possible.”

Through documentary film, Marquise found a way to combine his passion for storytelling with his commitment to justice. His films provide a platform for voices that have long been marginalized, offering authentic representations of Black and queer experiences.

The filmmaker's role in resistance

Marquise sees his work as part of a larger mission to combat the erasure of Black and LGBTQ narratives. 

“We need record keepers. The fight to preserve our histories is more urgent than ever,” he states. In an era where Black-centered education and media are under attack, he recognizes the necessity of documenting Black queer life with care and intentionality. 

“We need to be recorded not for vanity, but for the generations that follow. They deserve to see that we existed, that we fought for liberation while loving each other deeply and authentically, even in the face of relentless attacks.”

His approach to documentary filmmaking is rooted in Black documentary practices that challenge exploitative traditions. 

Rather than extracting stories from his community, he works collaboratively with his subjects, ensuring they have agency over their narratives. 

“Filmmakers are vital to the community, especially when they root themselves in Black documentary practices that push back against the exploitative histories of the field,” he emphasizes. 

By prioritizing ethical storytelling, Marquise ensures that his work honors, rather than distorts, the lived experiences of Black LGBTQ individuals.

Teaching, mentorship, and expanding Black cinema

As a film professor, Marquise is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Black filmmakers. 

He introduces his students to pioneering figures like Marlon Riggs, showing them how Black cinema has long been a space for resistance and self-expression.

“Every time I introduce my students to the work of Marlon Riggs, I am preserving Black history,” he says.

By teaching, he extends his impact beyond his own films, fostering a community of storytellers who will continue the work of documenting and celebrating Black life.