Filmmaker and Actor, Sage Mastery House
Brandon Hammond is an actor and filmmaker with almost three decades of experience in the entertainment industry. He became a fixture on the big and small screen with tv/film credits that include Menace II Society, Waiting to Exhale and Space Jam, to name a few. Brandon’s acting talent were put on notice by tv and film critics alike when he starred in the CBS half-hour sitcom The Gregory Hines Show (TGHS) and in Twentieth Century Fox’s release of the feature film Soul Food. Hammond won an NAACP Image Award for his portrayal as “Ahmad” in the film and for TGHS, TV Guide named him The Best Child Performer of 1997. Today, Brandon is a writer, director and producer. His directorial debut was the short film Summer Blame that premiered at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in 2006. In 2020 he was named one of the winners of the inaugural John Singleton Script Competition presented by PAFF. He’s currently directing the feature documentary Sunday Dinner: A Soul Food Reunion. The documentary, which is in development and being executive produced by Vivica A. Fox and George Tillman, Jr, will reunite Hammond with his original Soul Food cast members.
Multimedia artist, poet, and filmmaker, Kaleidoscope LLC
Desirae (Des) Lee is a creative producer, multi-media artist, poet and filmmaker from Jacksonville, FL. She strives to create art which celebrates vulnerability, finds beauty amongst the mundane, and portrays Black people in diverse ways. She is a Blackhouse Foundation Fellow, a Facebook SEEN initiative winner, and a Paul Robeson Awardee. Films directed by Des have screened at national festivals including Martha's Vineyard African American Film Fest, Pan-African Film Festival, Afrikana Film Festival and the American Black Film Festival. Des is an Alumnae of the University of Florida where she completed a unique program infusing photojournalism and innovation. Des holds an MFA in film from Howard University.
Author/Director, Rev Media
Nick Brooks is an award-winning author, filmmaker, & musician from Washington, DC. He’s a 2020 graduate of USC’s Film and TV Production program, with his films earning him the prestigious George Lucas Scholar Award and the James Bridges and Jack Larson Award for Writing and Directing. In 2022 he published his first middle grade novel, Nothing Interesting Ever Happens To Ethan Fairmont. The second book in the series released November 2023 with the third and final book releasing in 2024. His first YA novel, Promise Boys, debuted January 2023 and was the largest Young Adult publishing deal in history for a debut author. The book received critical acclaim including winning the Odyssey Award and being a 2023 Boston Globe–Horn Book award honoree. His second YA novel, Up In Smoke, released May 2025 and instantly became an Amazon YA Book of the Month. Currently, Nick is writing an unannounced Marvel graphic novel and his first video game, GTA 6. In TV/Film, Nick has worked on shows such as, The Mandalorian, while writing and CO-EPing his own shows at Netflix and CW. Before becoming full-time artist, Nick was an educator working primarily with at-risk youth in his hometown of Washington, DC.
Executive Director, Black Public Media
Leslie guides the mission of the organization, working with the board and staff to develop and implement strategies that allow BPM to accomplish its goals. She joined Black Public Media in 2001 to manage its program development fund, which supports the production of documentaries about the Black experience. She was named director of programs in 2005, to supervise the distribution of BPM-funded programs to public television. It was during this time that BPM created its award-winning anthology series of stories from the African Diaspora, AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, now in its 14th season. In 2008, Leslie was tapped to serve as VP of programs and operations. In 2014, she was appointed BPM’s third-ever executive director. Under her leadership, BPM has cultivated new partnerships, diversified revenues, and initiated vital new programs (360 Incubator+, PitchBlack Forum, BPMplus, Black Media Story Summit) that support Black talent and content development. In February, Leslie made Crain’s New York’s 2021 list of Notable Black Business Leaders. She currently serves on the board of directors for New York Women in Film and Television and for New Era Creative Space. .
Director
As a "Third Culture Kid" who grew up in eight countries by the age of 16 with parents who were UNICEF diplomats, world-building is in Tchaiko’s DNA. It’s how she made herself safe in a constantly changing landscape—incorporating the magical folklore and beauty of the unique cultures around her into her narratives while finding the universal in the specific. Filmmaking allows her to recreate the tension, thrill, and adrenaline of her childhood for audiences. In Tchaiko’s work, her characters struggle to discover who they are and where they belong in the world. Her award-winning debut feature film, SOLACE—about a Black girl navigating an eating disorder—is streaming on MGM+, Prime and Kweli TV. She won the 2024 Creative Capital Award for her dark fantasy project, BEAST. Her documentary LOOKING FOR TCHAIKO is in development and was supported by Ford Foundation. She’s made commercial work for Pinterest and Procter & Gamble and created immersive work in VR. Her episodic credits include Queen Sugar, Cherish the Day, Good Trouble, Sacrifice, and Black Mafia Family.
Director, California Film Commission/Sista Brunch Podcast
Fanshen Cox is a multi-talented artist, producer, and educator, known for her award-winning work in impactful storytelling. She is the founder of TruJuLo Productions, a media company dedicated to promoting stories that speak truth in pursuit of justice in service of love. She currently serves as the DEIA Manager for the California Film Commission’s Tax Credit Program. Fanshen served as the Senior Vice President of Development and Impact at Pearl Street Films, founded by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the development of socially conscious projects with a focus on those by underrepresented writers and directors. Fanshen's passion for creating positive change extends beyond her work in media. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cape Verde, West Africa, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and Education, a Master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and an MFA in TV, Film & Theatre. Fanshen has received numerous accolades for her work, including Distinguished Alumni Awards from both California State University, Los Angeles, and Teachers College, Columbia University, and an honorary MFA in producing from New York Film Academy. She is also a co-author of the Inclusion Rider, a powerful tool for promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. The Inclusion Rider was famously announced at the 2018 Oscars by Frances McDormand. Fanshen is also the co-creator, producer, and host of the Webby-nominated podcast Sista Brunch, which highlights the achievements of Black women and gender expansive people in entertainment and media. Fanshen's commitment to promoting positive change through media and education has made her a powerful force for good in the industry, and her work continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world.
TV/Film Writer & Founder, In The Cut
Rae is a writer on THE WITCHER (Netflix) and served as co-writer and co-executive producer for THE WITCHER: SIRENS OF THE DEEP, an animated feature on Netflix which debuted in early 2025. Previously, she was an writers' assistant on season 1 of BRIDGERTON (Netflix) She is also the founder of In the Cut, an organization that provides training and resources to BIPOC creatives. Rae is repped at UTA.
Writer, Director & Producer
Award winning filmmaker based in NYC. His last project “Last Bodega In Brooklyn” played internationally in the film festival circuit and was reviewed and received well by audiences. In 2015, Mosiah co-founded Just Jump Productions, where he has written, directed and produced several indie video projects. His past film projects have been sold to iOne Digital and Bet +. Mosiah is gearing up to direct his first feature film and is in development of several feature films and television projects, continuing to hone his skills as a writer/director/producer.
Writer, Director & Producer
Denise Khumalo is an award-winning filmmaker with over 14 years of experience as a director and producer. Through her company, Mnandi Productions, she tells powerful stories that highlight diverse narratives and foster cultural understanding. Her acclaimed documentary Khayalami (My Home) is streaming on Amazon Prime, while her latest film Unconventional—celebrating the journeys of immigrants and people of color in Los Angeles—is available on kweliTV. Denise’s work sparks conversations around identity, gender equality, heritage, and global perspectives within the entertainment industry.
Filmmaker & Film Festival Programmer
Kimberley Browning is a filmmaker & film festival professional based in Los Angeles. She is Senior Associate Short Film Programmer at Tribeca Festival, and is the Production Advisor for the festival’s AT&T UNTOLD STORIES million dollar feature film production program. Kimberley is the founder of Hollywood Shorts, a monthly short film and animation industry screening series that launched in Los Angeles in 1998. She oversees festival and distribution strategy for the social impact films at Moving Pictures Institute, including the recently released bio pics Kemba (BET) and Freedom Hair (Apple+). Kimberley previously was the Executive Producer of HBO Access, the network’s development and training program for directors and writers. Credits include art doc Room 19, Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance (Amazon) and Being Michelle, and programming for HBO, A&E Networks, CBS, NBC, ABC Signature, Rollingstone.com, People.com, Warner Brothers TV, Comedy Central and RealNetworks. Kimberley is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
Film Director
Malik Baker is a Los Angeles-based film director and cinematographer with a talent for crafting visually striking and emotionally resonant stories. Coming from the inner city of LA, Malik overcame numerous obstacles growing up to achieve his success in the film industry. A graduate of Northern Arizona University with a degree in Creative Media & Film, Malik has built a dynamic career working on a variety of projects, including music videos, commercials, and narrative films. Known for his innovative techniques and ability to capture raw emotion, Malik brings a unique perspective to every project he undertakes. His work reflects a passion for storytelling that celebrates both the art of filmmaking and the resilience of the human spirit. When he’s not on set, Malik enjoys mentoring upcoming creatives, exploring new visual styles, and drawing inspiration from the vibrant world around him. With a commitment to pushing boundaries, he continues to shape impactful narratives that captivate audiences across genres.
Co-Founder of Black Om
Paris Coleman Smalls is a woman with many passions. As a licensed real estate broker, life coach and yoga instructor she is the true definition of an entrepreneur. Her love for yoga & mindfulness began in college after playing volleyball competitively for years growing up. Since graduating with a degree in psychology from Georgetown University, Paris has co-founded a wellness company called Black Om and launched her own real estate brokerage, Coleman Realty. She’s a self-care advocate who is most passionate about empowering those around her to live more balanced lifestyles and to connect with their purpose.
Writer, Direcor, Producer, Yoruba Saxon
Kelcey Henderson, a Los Angeles native, has carried a passion for storytelling for as long as she can remember. She pursued this calling at California State University, Northridge, earning a degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Creative Writing. Her career began in New York City as an Assignment Editor at NBC News Network, where she thrived in the fast-paced world of breaking news while continuing to explore filmmaking on the side. After three years, she returned to Los Angeles and became a Field Producer for NewsNation, covering major stories including the Moscow Murders and Super Bowl LVI. Eager to fully immerse herself in film and television, Kelcey transitioned into entertainment by joining Yoruba Saxon, the production company of David and Jessica Oyelowo, where she currently works as an Executive Assistant. At YS, she continues to gain invaluable on-set and development experience, contributing to projects such as Lawmen: Bass Reeves and the documentary Becoming King, both streaming on Paramount+. Kelcey continues to pursue her true calling as a storyteller through independent filmmaking. She co-created Transparent Moment, a short film currently developing into a series, and is a proud member of the Sweet Tea Collective, a community of Black filmmakers shaping the future of cinema.
Writer, Direcor, Producer, Winter Dunn Productions
Winter Dunn is an award-winning filmmaker dedicated to amplifying universal narratives through the lens of BIPOC voices. Her short film, Dear Mama, premiered at SXSW and won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Film (Live Action). Dear Mama is currently streaming on The New Yorker’s Screening Room and Short of the Week. Her most recent film, PLAY HARD, had its World Premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick, and streams on Hulu. Winter has been a directing fellow in several prestigious programs, including NBCU Launch, Film Independent’s Project Involve, Ryan Murphy’s HALF Initiative, and the Sony Pictures Diverse Directors Program. Beyond film and television, Winter has directed a wide range of digital content, including web series and editorial videos. Her digital direction for Vanity Fair, Vogue, Architectural Digest, Anonymous Content, Meta, and other platforms has featured stars like Viola Davis, Sarah Paulson, Danai Gurira, Kim Kardashian, Billie Eilish, and more.
Writer Assistant, The Last of US (HBO)
Bursting into this world 2.5 months premature, Shari Coleman always wanted to be a superhero…or ninja…or magic student. Delving into magical stories where it was celebrated to be different really resonated with her but she never really saw herself represented. The magic began to crumble, and the idea of assimilating grew. She found a sense of community through dance which spanned 18 years, five of which were also spent directing various studio, high school and collegiate teams. A shift came in form of volunteering in the rainforests of Costa Rica, befriending the elephants of Thailand and co-creating a charity movement in India. A lot of her life being colored by travel and trying to pick up new languages, made her enamored by people and their stories. She decided to get her B.A in Film Production at Cal State Northridge. CSUN offered her the opportunities to work with the Cannes Film Festival, AMPAS, AMC, and Disneychannel. This further led to writing for DreamWorks Television, and most recently being promoted to Writer’s Assistant for HBO’s The Last of Us. As a storyteller, Shari believes she has a responsibility to create stories that incite strength for the underrepresented and promote culture.
Award-winning (VR/AR/360/AI) Developer + Producer
Jonathan Williams is an award-winning developer, speaker, educator, and producer of immersive content leveraging future technology (VR/AR/360/AI) to create worlds and experiences via storytelling and animation. His catalog of experiences has led him to produce content for a wide range of brands including Google, Meta, Verizon, Samsung, Amazon, and Disney as well as real-time social content for athletes. Jonathan is a founding partner at VRX, a leading immersive media company, and co-founder of the "Intro to VR" course, a California Public Library initiative (based in Inglewood) focused on developing students to build the future of computing. He is the recipient of the prestigious Meta VR grant and a graduate of ASU's Narrative and Emerging Media Program for promising future technology creators. His recent VR narrative experience, Fatherhood Legacy, has earned significant recognition.
Award-winning Writer + Filmmaker
CEO & Co-Founder Triibes
Mike Wallz is a multidisciplinary artist, entrepreneur, and former Division I athlete operating at the intersection of music, tech, and wellness. A Penn State Academic All-American and Junior Olympic track athlete, Mike pivoted into the music industry after a career-ending injury, building a decade-long career as an independent artist, creative director, and brand strategist. He’s collaborated with icons like Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, and 1500 or Nothin’, and led creative campaigns for Universal Music Group and Coca-Cola. As founder of Free Life ENT, Mike builds culturally resonant ventures including Triibes—a smart networking platform—and Socanomics, a global wellness brand offering dance fitness experiences rooted in Caribbean culture. From marathon training to immersive storytelling, Mike’s mission is to raise the vibration of culture—blending legacy, movement, and innovation into everything he creates.
Emmy-nominated Writer & Director
Xavier Burgin is an Emmy-nominated writer/director from USC Cinema. His love for filmmaking grew from a fascination with mythology, fantasy, horror, religion, and southern culture. He directed AMC Networks' Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror. He wrote the Lifetime film, Give Me Back My Daughter. He was a staff writer on the Starz wrestling drama, Heels. He's the dubbing director for Netflix's sumo show, Sanctuary. He directed Adult Swim's Juneteenth Holiday Special and the Emmy-winning BET series, Giants. Xavier's written for the WWE, CryptTV, Amazon, Discovery, and Paramount.
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