Ava DuVernay was born on August 24, 1972, at Long Beach California. As a child DuVernay's Aunt Denise inspired her love of art and creativity. The actress worked as a late night nurse, allowing her aunt time that she needed in her day to indulge in the arts, literature and theater. DuVernay liked the film West Side Story, which she introduced to her. DuVernay was taught by her the power of art as an avenue for action. DuVernay had an aunt who was well-informed and taught her how to utilize art as a method of expression. DuVernay had her summers spent in Lowndes County Alabama, where DuVernay's father was born and raised. Her father, who was DuVernay's dad, reminisced historic civil rights march over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in the neighboring city of Selma Alabama. DuVernay's time in Selma, Alabama was the inspiration she used to write a movie about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. DuVernay graduated from Saint Joseph High School Lakewood California in the year 1990. She we