AZ Yeamen is a natural-born storyteller, who believes great screenwriting is never heard, never read; it’s felt.

An established writer and producer, Yeamen is the founder and executive director of Bridge 17 Scriptwriters Studio, where she pursues her own career in script and story development and shares her love of craft with others. 

Yeamen established Bridge 17 Scriptwriters in 2009, offering a range of services to facilitate the creative process, including workshops, seminars, writer-for-hire services, as well as a flexible workspace for the creative community. “Bridge 17 answers a need,” says Yeamen. “My goal is to make writing sexy and provide a collaborative space for diverse voices that’s unique to Atlanta.”

Local writers use the 1,650-square-foot loft office located in the heart of the historic Castleberry Hill district as a place to work, learn and find inspiration. "If it is in any way connected to the craft of storytelling, we accommodate it here," explains Yeamen. “We understand the world of the writer because we are writers.”

According to Yeamen, Invest Atlanta was integral to her transition to become a full-fledged business with contractors and employees. Not only did Invest Atlanta help her secure a loan to build out the Bridge 17 space, it also provided critical support during COVID-19, including a Resurgence Grant and guidance on transitioning from in-person to an online community.

“Support from Invest Atlanta feels personal, like a partnership,” says Yeamen. “They were the only ones who really understood my vision from the start and have helped me serve the creative community in ways I never could’ve imagined.”