It was a hot afternoon in June 2014. A young black woman named Ava stood on a small

patch of grass dividing a highway in Selma, Alabama. She was facing dozens of white police

officers who were ready to march directly towards her.

The moment was tense. The officers were restless. But Ava wasn't scared. She knew she was

in charge here. As the camera zoomed in, Ava yelled, action! And the scene came to life.

The police pushed forward.

There were people chanting and marching.

Yes!

Ava's eyes sparkled through the chaos.

This is how we make history.

The I'm Shaquanabelle, and this is Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, a fairy tale podcast about the real-life rebel women who inspire us.

On this episode, Ava Duvernais, award-winning director, writer, producer, film distributor,

and advocate for diversity in the arts.

Ava Marie DuVernay was born on August 24, 1972 in Long Beach, California. She grew up in

Compton, which is pretty close to Hollywood, but very different. Some days, Ava's mom refused to

let her kids go outside to play because the neighborhood was suffering from a lot of crime.

Staying inside didn't bother Ava, though.

As the oldest of five siblings,

she and her sister spent hours inside making up stories with their dolls.

They made their own accessories, too,

turning shoe boxes into doll beds,

socks into doll dresses, and rollerblades into doll cars.

...