Mason Cyrille Elong Ewing (born April 9, 1982) is a French, Cameroonian and American producer, director, scriptwriter and fashion designer living in France and the United States. Created in 2011, the Mason Ewing Corporation’s headquarters is based in Los Angeles. Although he is blind, he has built a thriving business and artistic career.
Biography
Early life
Ewing was born in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon. His father, Frederik Ewing, is an American businessman who died in November 2010. Mason lived until age four with his Jewish Cameroonian mother, Marie Francesca Elong, who was a model and seamstress. She inspired him and gave him a taste for fashion.
Mason spent a lot of time with her as she made clothes for her children. His beloved mother died in March 1986.
His great-grandmother Élise then took care of him for three years. In 1989, he moved to the Paris region where he lived with his uncle and aunt Lucien and Jeannette Ekwalla, where he suffered extreme child abuse. Not only was he locked in a room for eight years and beaten, but also chili pepper was thrown in his eyes for a number of years. In 1993, distraught, he ran often away to seek help from the police and judges, asking to be removed from the care of his uncle and aunt.
Due to their mistreatment, Mason tragically lost his sight in April 1996 and fell into a coma for three weeks at the Necker-Enfants malades Hospital in Paris. In 2001, he was homeless and ended up at SAMU (Emergency medical services in France). He won a court judgment against his uncle and aunt, for €5000 (which was never paid) and a one-year suspended sentence.
Career
Alongside his fashion projects, Mason Ewing works on film projects in France and the U.S. He created the children's series The Adventures of Madison highlighting Baby Madison and the Mickey Boom series. In 2011, he moved to America to become a film producer. His holding company, Mason Ewing Corporation, in Los Angeles has various projects in film and TV production. He wrote a television series Eryna Bella and produced Descry, a short film.
Starting in April 2015, his French subsidiary Les Entreprises Ewing, subsidiary of Mason Ewing Corporation is based in Clichy, France. He is member of the French production trade union UPC.
After living in Los Angeles for a few years, he returned to France to focus on his popular TV series Mickey Boom, supported by French and international channels. This series was inspired by the American television shows he loved to watch as an adolescent.
He produced the feature film Love in Yaoundé, a romantic comedy, in 2019.
Awards
In 2018, Mason Ewing was awarded the A.I.M. Award by Afrimpact Magazine in Pennsylvania for his community work. For many years he has supported the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Le Comité Contre l'Esclavage Moderne. He is also an Ambassador for the Humanity & Inclusion NGO and the Le Refuge association for youths LGBTQ+ at risk. He is supports by the Secretary of State for Child Protection Adrien Taquet.
Few words
I am Mason Ewing. In a few days, on April 9th, I will celebrate my 42nd birthday. What sets me apart is that I have become the world's first blind stylist, designer, and film producer. And let me tell you, losing my sight has been the greatest blessing of my life. No regrets, no remorse. If I had to live my life again, I would follow exactly the same path. Because I firmly believe in destiny. Being blind was my predetermined path.
I am a visionary man, driven by a deep love for humanity and an unwavering capacity to forgive, even in the face of violence within my own family. Through my company, Mason Ewing Corporation, I am committed to bringing a new breath into the world of children to end the scourge of bullying. Respect, acceptance of disabled people, no judgment towards homosexuals, and protection of the environment are my core values.
In this vision, I want to encourage children to keep dreaming, despite the cruelties of the world. Through the universe of Baby Madison, I want to offer them hope and courage, so that they understand that it is possible to overcome the worst trials. For those who are fortunate enough to have a loving family, I hope they realize how priceless a treasure it is, a wealth that eludes so many children in the world.
My most fervent battle is for inclusion. I want the world's largest companies to finally open their doors to blind people. Too often marginalized, we are too often forgotten. But I ask the question: am I, Mason, as a blind person, so different from you? Because despite the darkness surrounding me, my vision surpasses that of many sighted people. That is my destiny, that is my truth.