Hi, thank you for your interest in Teakcakes & Tells Productions! I’m Erin Giddens, founder and executive producer.
As a Southern California native living in the Southeast for the last decade, I’ve had the privilege of traveling to cities and towns most only get to see on TV or social media. While connecting with what makes this part of the country so special, I’ve realized two things:
1.) Travel is a privilege that should be accessible to everyone
2.) I didn’t know as much as I thought I did about the regional cultures across the U.S.
This revelation and my 12-year experience as a storyteller and media professional birthed the idea for Teacakes & Tells in 2020 – a year marked by an isolating pandemic and a polarizing racial justice movement.
Our name, Teacakes & Tells, embodies the heart of our company’s identity and approach to storytelling. “Teacakes” pays homage to a traditional treat deeply rooted in African American culture, symbolizing comfort, heritage, and shared experiences. “Tells,” derived from the storytelling tradition of ‘telling it like it is,’ emphasizes our commitment to sharing authentic, real-life experiences.
The last several years have exposed a clear need for Americans to learn about the diverse communities that contribute to the beauty and success of the U.S. — the people, traditions, dialects, cuisine and art. Teacakes & Tells identifies and creatively crafts those stories to connect people to new places and spaces. By partnering with curators and preservers of cultural experiences, we fulfill our mission to create compelling content that encourages immersive exploration of the U.S.
As a result of our commitment to authentic storytelling, we hope to help you in your efforts to spark tourism, boost local economies and transform visitors into ambassadors for cultural appreciation.
I’m extremely proud to lead a team of expert storytellers who uncover hidden gems and breathe new life into the familiar ones. For us, every story is personal. Let us unveil your community’s unique voice and transform the “tells” that will resonate for years to come.
🤎
Erin Giddens
“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.”
– Maya Angelou
