Kyla Pratt Stars in ‘The Memo,’ Film Adaptation of Minda Harts’ Thriller, With Music by MC Lyte (EXCLUSIVE)

As a movie critic with a background in gender studies and a personal experience navigating corporate America as a woman of color, I am thrilled to see projects like “The Memo” come to life. The film’s inspiration, drawn from the alarming statistics on women leaving their jobs at an unprecedented rate, resonates deeply with me.


In this film titled “The Memo,” acting and singing artist Kyla Pratt takes on the lead role. The movie is based on the gripping psychological thriller penned by Minda Harts. Furthermore, adding to the production’s musical allure is legendary female rapper and musician MC Lyte.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that I’ve come across a forthcoming film that promises an up-close and personal look into the challenging climb of a woman in the corporate world. The leading role is played by none other than Pratt, who has graced our screens in “Dr. Dolittle” with Eddie Murphy and numerous television productions. To add to the excitement, MC Lyte will be contributing her musical talents as both the composer and music supervisor for this project.

A short film marks the debut of Seed Media, a new multimedia company and storytelling platform established by Valeisha Butterfield. With experience as a high-ranking executive at Google and the Recording Academy, as well as serving as the national youth vote director for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, Butterfield leads this innovative endeavor.

I’ve been following the disturbing trend mentioned in the announcement – women leaders are quitting their jobs at an unprecedented rate. According to Forbes and the Women in the Workplace study by LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company, this is a serious issue that demands our attention. In response, trailblazers from the music, film, and television industries have joined forces to create a thought-provoking short film. By combining powerful storytelling and moving music, we aim to tackle this gaping divide head-on.

The film, helmed by director Vanna James and scripted/produced by Nakia Stephens, is now undergoing post-production. Notable executives involved are Butterfield, Harts, Pratt, Modupé R. Congleton, and Miatta Johnson.

Harts shares that her Memo is a personal account of navigating corporate America’s world. She isn’t alone in this experience, though. Many women face similar challenges, leading to feelings of isolation and lacking support as they strive for professional advancement. Success doesn’t come solely from individual efforts; instead, teaming up with Valeisha Butterfield and SEED Media empowers a new audience and generation.

Pratt shared, “The Memo’s book and script strongly connected with me right from the start. With my background as a Black woman coming from a long line of strong women, and being a mother myself, the opportunity to play the lead character Minda Harts offered by Seed was a definite yes! As storytellers, it’s our duty to authentically portray narratives and characters that inspire others to feel seen, heard, and freed. I consider it an honor to breathe life into this incredible tale.”

Butterfield expresses that storytelling and music hold incredible power to bring about transformation and inspire social progress. Seed’s mission is to highlight the most impactful, untold stories of our time, with “The Memo” being one such compelling book for women in the workforce. The timing of this project could not be more opportune as we prepare for a historic presidential election featuring a woman as the leading candidate.

MC Lyte, a music legend, enthusiastically shared, “Music and musicians have played essential roles in every significant tale and trend throughout history.” I’m thrilled to collaborate with Seed on the music for ‘The Memo.’ During this groundbreaking time when women are taking charge, this project carries a potent message about resilience. I eagerly anticipate audiences being moved by this story.

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2024-07-25 17:47