HiI'm Dane. I am originally from Lubbock, Texas and attended Columbia College Chicago, where I developed a passion for both the arts and community engagement. Currently, I serve as a Senior Bookseller Manager at Barnes & Noble, overseeing all aspects of store operations, from team management and training to ensuring customer service and merchandise quality. Alongside my role at Barnes & Noble, I'm also a freelance film professional in Chicago. Recently, I had the opportunity to direct my first short film, funded by the Illinois Arts Council Individual Artist Grant. This project allowed me to further explore my passion for storytelling and advocacy for diverse voices in cinema.My journey in the non-profit art sector through Playmaker's Laboratory, Full Spectrum Features, and Redefine Magazine has developed a rich sense of interconnected, community-centric work that values creative voices. I attribute a large part of my work to my queer identity and Indegenous heritage.