Alumni
After Episcopal
Sundi Lofty '94
After graduating from Episcopal, Sundi Lofty ’94 envisioned a career path that would enable her to meld entertainment and education together to effectively reach people and make an impact.
“I always knew I wanted to marry education and entertainment,” Lofty said. “Even if that meant I had to create my own opportunities to fuse the two together.”
As a member of the second class of girls to graduate from The High School, Lofty understood the importance of having a seat at the table. For her, education was the key to success. As a former Jefferson Scholar, Lofty
holds a B.A. in English and a Master of Teaching (secondary English education) from the University of
Virginia, as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from New York University. The love she found for English she credits to the educational experience she had on The Holy Hill.
Twenty-eight years later, Lofty, not only has a seat, but also owns the table. As the senior development creative, writer, and producer for Black Robin Media, LLC, she researches, develops, and writes documentary and docu-series treatments to pitch to well-known networks including Oxygen, OWN, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, Discovery, and many others.
She also writes scripts for linear, digital, and social media, as well as experiential exhibits at institutions including the Smithsonian NMAAHC’s Power of Place (permanent collection) and Afro-futurism (coming 2023), Dodge RAM’s 360 Media program, TV One’s NAACP Image Award Winning television special, In Conversation: The Michelle Obama Interview, as well as TV One’s news special, Real Estate Realities: When the Boom Goes Bust.
In June 2021, she began what she called “a divine directing.” She was tapped to direct, and executive produce, “Onyx Family Dinner.” A series where social media influencers, the Onyx Family, share a meal with other influencers, changemakers, and celebrity guests to discuss issues surrounding mental health,
social activism, body positivity, and more.
The goal of the series is to provide the next generation with tools to face the world. With a following of over 7 million on social media and over three billion views on their content, the Onyx Family’s mission, “Tell the Story, Feed the Soul; Make them Laugh, Heal the Heart,” reached families around the world.
In addition to Black Robin Media, Lofty serves as the current Creative Director of Social Impact and Special Projects for MTV Entertainment. Accomplishing her long-term goal of unifying entertainment and education, she celebrates her creative “marriage” every day. She is responsible for the socially conscious post on social media for all of Viacom’s brands i.e., BET, Paramount +, E!, CMT, CBS, Nickelodeon, and more.
She also has created content for YouTube Originals, History Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Refinery29, Oxygen Media, Fuse Media, Food Network, TLC, Travel Channel, Retired Living, AsPire, and TV One. Her scripted work has placed at the Austin Film Festival (AMC’s Original Pilot Competition), Slamdance (Teleplay Competition), Urbanworld Film Festival, and also has earned a spot in the CBS Writers Mentoring Program.
“I take this opportunity seriously because TV speaks to people,” Lofty says. “Entertainment allows people to escape from the everyday trials of life. The opportunity we have for impact is major.”
One of her projects that aired over three nights in February 2022, centered on the legacy of President Lincoln. Lofty was a member of the writing team for the History Channel’s production “Abraham Lincoln.” The documentary chronicled the president who led the country during its bloodiest war and greatest
“I always knew I wanted to marry education and entertainment,” Lofty said. “Even if that meant I had to create my own opportunities to fuse the two together.”
As a member of the second class of girls to graduate from The High School, Lofty understood the importance of having a seat at the table. For her, education was the key to success. As a former Jefferson Scholar, Lofty
holds a B.A. in English and a Master of Teaching (secondary English education) from the University of
Virginia, as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from New York University. The love she found for English she credits to the educational experience she had on The Holy Hill.
Twenty-eight years later, Lofty, not only has a seat, but also owns the table. As the senior development creative, writer, and producer for Black Robin Media, LLC, she researches, develops, and writes documentary and docu-series treatments to pitch to well-known networks including Oxygen, OWN, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, Discovery, and many others.
She also writes scripts for linear, digital, and social media, as well as experiential exhibits at institutions including the Smithsonian NMAAHC’s Power of Place (permanent collection) and Afro-futurism (coming 2023), Dodge RAM’s 360 Media program, TV One’s NAACP Image Award Winning television special, In Conversation: The Michelle Obama Interview, as well as TV One’s news special, Real Estate Realities: When the Boom Goes Bust.
In June 2021, she began what she called “a divine directing.” She was tapped to direct, and executive produce, “Onyx Family Dinner.” A series where social media influencers, the Onyx Family, share a meal with other influencers, changemakers, and celebrity guests to discuss issues surrounding mental health,
social activism, body positivity, and more.
The goal of the series is to provide the next generation with tools to face the world. With a following of over 7 million on social media and over three billion views on their content, the Onyx Family’s mission, “Tell the Story, Feed the Soul; Make them Laugh, Heal the Heart,” reached families around the world.
In addition to Black Robin Media, Lofty serves as the current Creative Director of Social Impact and Special Projects for MTV Entertainment. Accomplishing her long-term goal of unifying entertainment and education, she celebrates her creative “marriage” every day. She is responsible for the socially conscious post on social media for all of Viacom’s brands i.e., BET, Paramount +, E!, CMT, CBS, Nickelodeon, and more.
She also has created content for YouTube Originals, History Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Refinery29, Oxygen Media, Fuse Media, Food Network, TLC, Travel Channel, Retired Living, AsPire, and TV One. Her scripted work has placed at the Austin Film Festival (AMC’s Original Pilot Competition), Slamdance (Teleplay Competition), Urbanworld Film Festival, and also has earned a spot in the CBS Writers Mentoring Program.
“I take this opportunity seriously because TV speaks to people,” Lofty says. “Entertainment allows people to escape from the everyday trials of life. The opportunity we have for impact is major.”
One of her projects that aired over three nights in February 2022, centered on the legacy of President Lincoln. Lofty was a member of the writing team for the History Channel’s production “Abraham Lincoln.” The documentary chronicled the president who led the country during its bloodiest war and greatest
crisis.
Lofty credits her time at Episcopal for helping to shape her into the person she is today.
“Even though I transferred in after my sophomore year, everything I was exposed to at Episcopal was monumental in shaping my overall success.”
Lofty credits her time at Episcopal for helping to shape her into the person she is today.
“Even though I transferred in after my sophomore year, everything I was exposed to at Episcopal was monumental in shaping my overall success.”
