In this episode, we welcome Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), for an insightful conversation on one of the world’s most influential film festivals. Bailey shares how TIFF continues to shape the global film industry, champion diverse voices, and create a space for groundbreaking storytelling. Tune in as we discus…

In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Friday, President of Nice Crowd and a driving force behind the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). She shares insights into ABFF’s mission to amplify Black storytelling, support emerging talent, and create spaces where diverse voices thrive. Nicole dives into the festival’s impact on the film industry, its …

In this episode, we sit down with Claudia Puig, Program Director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, to explore the festival’s role in celebrating global cinema and elevating diverse storytelling. Claudia shares insights on curating impactful films, fostering emerging talent, and how Santa Barbara has become a key destination for film…

In this episode, we’re joined by Kathleen Bertrand, Executive Producer of the BronzeLens Film Festival, to discuss the festival’s mission of celebrating and amplifying Black filmmakers. Kathleen shares the festival’s journey, its impact on Atlanta’s thriving film scene, and how BronzeLens continues to champion diverse voices in the industry. Don’t …

In this episode, we welcome Christina Routhier, Executive and Artistic Director of the Savannah Film Festival, to discuss the festival’s role in showcasing innovative films and supporting emerging talent. Christina shares insights into the festival’s unique connection with SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), its impact on the industry, and t…

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival with its visionary founders and producers, Stephanie and Floyd Rance. They share the festival’s journey in elevating Black storytelling, fostering a vibrant creative community, and providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase impactful narratives. Tune …

In this episode, we sit down with Wendy Guerrero, President of the Bentonville Film Festival, to discuss the festival’s mission of championing inclusion in media, the power of diverse storytelling, and what makes Bentonville a unique space for filmmakers. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the evolving landscape of film festivals and the …

In this episode, Shawna and Cameron chat about mentoring women leaders with friend Connie Tingson Gatuz, Ph.D. We also highlight our scholar of the week Ramón Borges-Méndez, Ph.D. We also discuss 11 states that ban or restrict the practice of colleges routinely withholding transcripts from students who owe them money.…

In this episode, Shawna and Cameron chat with friend Marc Johnston-Guerrero about his research and expanding racialized understandings in higher education. The episode also celebrates Scholar of the Week, Jedidah C. Isler, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Dartmouth College.By Scholar Tea

In this episode Cameron and Shawna chat with Dr. William A. Smith, who coined Racial Battle Fatigue, which refers to the “cumulative result of a natural race-related stress response to distressing mental and emotional conditions." The episode also highlights the work of Scholar of the Week, Dr. Chezare A. Warren, an Associate Professor of Equity & …

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast host Ed Adams speaks with Ikem Chukumerije, one of Hollywood's top real estate agents. We discuss how he got into the business, what are some the myths surrounding the market in LA, and about his agency, The Sports Relocation AgencyBy AAFCA

In this episode we celebrate the contribution of Black women to higher education and chat with Dr. Lawanda Ward- https://ed.psu.edu/directory/dr-lawanda-wardOur scholar of the week is Dr. Raquel Rall- https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/raquelmrArticle Mentioned in episode on Black womyn and Othermothering- Njoku et al. (2017)- https://doi.or…

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, Host Ed Adams chats with President and Literary Agent, Gloria Loomis of The Watkins/Loomis Agency about the role of the literary agent, and how they work with their clients to bring their works from print to film and television.By AAFCA

Barbie was one of the biggest movies of 2023 and in this episode, host Ed Adams speaks with fashion and toy designer, Stephen Sumner at MGA Entertainment about the toy business, intellectual properties, and what Barbie the iconic doll and the film so special.By AAFCA

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, Host Ed Adams explores the in flight entertainment and connectivity industry with Catherine McDaniel, Lead Content Curator - Movies for Delta Studio.By AAFCA

Join Cameron and Shawna for a live tapping at the Association for the Study of Higher Education conference in November 2023 in Minneapolis. The episode celebrates the past lessons Scholar Tea has offered listeners in these academic streets as both a politic and a practice. They also chat with Dr. Candace Hall about her groundbreaking documentary, C…

In this season 3 finale we highlight Stacey Robinson, an Arthur Schomburg fellow and chat about this past summer's ruling by the Supreme Court on Affirmative Action. Our guest this episode are Dr. Frederick Smith and Chaz Lamar Cruz. They are the co-authors of novels such as "In Case You Forgot" and "Busy Ain’t the Half of It".https://www.boldstrok…

Join us for our first live audience recording at the ACPA convention in March 2023 in New Orleans. We highlight our scholars of the week, chat with the audience about their ACPA experience, highlight whats problematic, come with those jokes, and celebrate the accomplishments of members of the community.…

Back with another episode and we highlight our Scholar of the Week, Dr. Kamaria B. Porter, chat about armed policing on campus, and have an amazing conversation with Dr. Stephen Quaye about racial battle fatigue and healing.By Scholar Tea

In this episode Cameron and Shawna chat with Dr. Susana Muñoz-Rodriguez about what she has learned since being on faculty sabbatical. We also feature Dr. Christopher Travers as our Scholar of the Week. Our topic this week for the academic streets is should board of trustees be held accountable for student success.…

In this episode Shawna and Cameron chat with Dr. Cristobal Salinas, Jr. about his research on the complexity of the "x" in Latinx. Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz is our scholar of the week who is an award-winning Associate Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. We also chat about the rise of Chat GPT and AI in higher education.…

In this episode Shawna and Cameron chat with Dr. Chris Nelson, highlight the work of Dr. Jarvis Givens, author of Fugitive Pedagogy: Carter G. Woodson and the Art of Black Teaching, and discuss the resignation of Temple University President, Jason Wingard.By Scholar Tea

In this episode Shawna and Cameron chat with Monroe France about all things DEI!By Scholar Tea

In this episode we chat with Dr. Danita M. Brown Young, who is currently the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is currently serving as NASPA Board Chair for the 2023 conference in Boston.By Scholar Tea

AAFCA celebrates the Special Achievement TV Vanguard Award winner. Host Ed Adams speaks with President and CEO of Hallmark Media, Wonya Lucas about her amazing career, lessons she's learned throughout her journey and advice she gained from her legendary father Bill Lucas and her uncle Hank Aaron.By AAFCA

AAFCA highlights a Special Achievement award winner. Ed Adams speaks with TriStar Television Executive Vice President, Jennifer Turner about her journey to her role, and her passion project, Mad Cool Community and Fitness.By AAFCA

Season 5 of the AAFCA Podcast kicks off with a discussion about 'The Black Beauty Effect'. This three-part docu-series focuses on the history and impact people of color have had on the cosmetic, hair, and skin care industry. This passion project was a collaboration of producers Andrea Lewis and CJ Faison who helm the project.…

In this episode Shawna and Cameron check in at the end of 2022 and highlight Scholar of the Week Dr. Kaleb Briscoe, highlight ASHE 2022 in Vegas and chat with Dr. Dian Squire about some "Existential Questions" for higher education.By Scholar Tea

In this episode Shawna and Cameron highlight the work of Dr. Wilson Okello as the Scholar of the Week, they recap their Italy summer excursion, share space with brilliant scholars Drs. Natasha Croom and Christa Porter. Of course Cameron addresses whats problematic and Shawna hits you with those jokes of the week. Dr. Natasha Croom- https://news.cle…

In this episode Shawna and Cameron chat with current ASHE President Dr. Joy Gatson Gayles (@JoyGayles) about the 2022 ASHE conference theme, "Humanizing Higher Education."https://www.ashe.ws/theme2022By Scholar Tea

In this episode we highlight our scholar of the week, Dr. Candace Hall (co-host of Blacktivism in the Academy), who is an assistant prof & program director at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. We have a wonderful chat with the co-hosts of Blacktivism in the Academy, Dr. J.T. Snipes and Dr. Cherese Fine. Listen to Blacktivism in the Acad…

In this episode, we highlight our Scholar of the Week, Dr. Deirdre Cobb-Roberts, chat with Dr. Stephen Santa-Ramirez about self-care in the academy, and discuss Florida House Bill 7. Of course, Shawna has those jokes of the week for you!By Scholar Tea

In this episode Shawna and Cameron explain the 4 year hiatus, spotlight the scholar of the week Dr. Felisha Herrera Villarreal, and have an engaging conversation with Dr. Heather Shotton.“The academy tries to tell us that our creativity should be separate from our scholarship… as if creativity is not scholarship.” ~Dr. Shotton…

Join Cameron Carl and Shawna as they explore themes of well-being, joy, and "what's problematic" in the academy. This lost episode was recorded in early 2020 before the COVID-19 Pandemic changed the world. Dr. Michelle Espino Lira is the first guest for Season 2 and she drops the gems that are still relevant today.…

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, host Ed Adams speaks with former TMZ host, Van Lathan about his move from Louisiana to Los Angeles, his experiences at TMZ and the many projects he's done since leaving the show, including a new book and an Oscar and AAFCA-winning short, "Two Distant Strangers".By AAFCA

In this episode host Ed Adams speaks with NFL athlete turned filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry about his Academy Award-winning animated short, "Hair Love" and other film and television projects.By AAFCA

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, host Ed Adams speaks with Deon Taylor and Ephraim Salaam, two lifelong friends who charted their own, unique paths from sports into the entertainment industry. Deon, left his career in basketball to start his own production company, Hidden Empire Film Group and has written, directed, and produced several films …

In this episode of The AAFCA Podcast, host Ed Adams speaks with architect and designer Kulapat Yantrasast, Creative Director at WHY about the exhibit design contributions for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.By AAFCA

To kick off season four of The AAFCA Podcast, host Ed Adams speaks with NFL great and entertainment multi-hyphenate, Michael Strahan about his career, his motivations, and his company SMAC Entertainment.By AAFCA

Rich Kleiman is not new to the entertainment business. He started out in the music industry working for Jay-Z and RocNation representing several artist in their portfolio and produced his first film – the concert film, “Fade to Black” in 2004. Fast forward to 2016, NBA MVP Kevin Durant and Kleiman start Thirty-Five Ventures, the umbrella company fo…

Stephen Curry may be known as the best shooter in the NBA but in Hollywood he is making headlines for his pitches. Since forming his production company Unanimous Media in 2018, Curry and his business partner Erick Peyton have blazed a path creating uplifting content in film, television, and podcasts. Peyton has literally been creating content most …

Suzan-Lori Parks rose to prominence in the theatrical world when her play, Topdog Underdog won a Pulitzer Prize in 2002. She wrote her first screenplay, “Girl 6” directed by and starring Spike Lee in 1996 and has several film projects to her credit including the adaptation of Richard Wright’s “Native Son” for HBO. For her two recent projects, "Geni…

NBA phenom LeBron James and his Manager/Business partner, Maverick Carter founded SpringHill entertainment in 2007. Their first project, a documentary, “More Than a Game” in 2008 followed James and his Akron, Ohio high school teammates through the ups and downs of high school basketball, and ultimately his journey to fame. Since then, the company –…

Actors Lena Waithe and Naomi Ackie talk about the new season of Netflix's award-winning comedy series, "Master of None." The season focuses on the marriage of Denise (Waithe) and Alicia (Ackie) as their relationship takes a rollercoaster ride when the two decide to conceive. All episodes of season 3 are currently streaming on Netflix.…

As Black Lives Matter stories and "Living while black" surfaced across the United States, people took to the streets in protest. And this chant was said in unison around the world. One of the people who captured this Black Lives Matter movement in the U,K. was photographer Nisan Harriman. Harriman’s took to the street and shared amazing images of f…

Focus groups are an integral part of the studio business. Everything is tested, and I mean everything. Networks test show pilots, movies, trailers, even posters are brought before everyday Janes and Joes so executives can give the thumbs up or thumbs down on the projects in their lineup. This information helps them decide what movies we will see in…

Ava Duverney’s company, ARRAY does more than just produce amazing film. In fact the company distributes independent film and is a resource collective comprised of arts advocacy organizations, volunteers, and donors from around the world with one goal: to amplify films by people of color and women of all kinds. Since its creation in 2010, Array has …

When it comes to capturing the black experience in film only one name comes to mind and that’s Sam Pollard. Pollard has been telling Black and other stories for over thirty years. His first project: "Eyes On the Prize 2: America At the Racial Crossroads" won him an Emmy. Since then he’s produced, directed, and edited so many crucial stories includi…

Mayor Eric Garcetti shared this on his Instagram Page: "I’m issuing a Safer at Home emergency order — ordering all residents of the City of Los Angeles to stay inside their residences and immediately limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely essential. We’re taking this urgent action to limit the spread of COVID-19 and sav…

Hair and makeup is an essential part of how we look at a film. It helps us to visually capture the character – encapsulating the overall look of them and the memorable moments that we see them in. Whether it’s a young woman going on her first date; An African king fighting to save his throne, or a family fighting to survive the unknown. We remember…