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Executive Producers/Directors

J C Thomas

 

BIO

J C Thomas grew up in Washington, DC. There she fell in love with the theatre when she participated in the Text Alive! program offered by the Shakespeare Theatre at The Landsburgh (formerly the Folger Shakespeare Theatre). She then took a class with the theatre and had the opportunity to perform in the ensemble of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, with Paul Winfield and Sabrina LeBauf. She then went to Prairie View A&M Unviversity and majored in Theatre Arts. There she performed in hundreds of plays and received extensive, intensive acting training. She and her husband formed a performing and visual arts company called 3E World Productions. They created theatre and dance shows, were hired to design and build scenery, sold original artwork and provided airbrush caricature artists for parties and special events. Even after 3E, she and her husband, Adrian, continue to produce independent film projects and provide caricatures for parties and events. She truly believes that the arts can and will change the world! Our artistic voices will live long after we are gone and they need to speak life and healing into a world that is hurting.  J C is constantly working on her next project while raising a teenager, who is also an artist. She is leading by example in teaching him to use his voice, his art, in order to be the change he wants to see in the world.

Valaira Sa-Ra

 

BIO

 

Valaira Sa-Ra was born in Bronx, New York City of French West Indian decent and currently resides in Los Angeles, California with her husband. Having obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Management, she has developed both a passion & commitment to the world of fashion and entertainment at a very early age. As a actress, model and entrepreneur, her attraction & enthusiasm for the fashion and entertainment industry eventually grew into establishing her production company MiVUE Entertainment. Valaira's diverse artistic abilities & talents have created wonderful opportunities for her which includes modeling for PZI Jeans, Mizani, Creme of Nature, The World Natural Hair Show, Fro Fashion Week, The Bronner Bros Shows, The Black & White House, Jessica McClintock, Express, Limited, and many more. She also appeared in Essence, Heart and Soul and Elite Style Magazine. Her company MiVUE Entertainment has produced short independent films and has currently completed a documentary titled "The Rhythm of Blue". Truly the Renaissance woman, Valaira is an accomplished producer and actress and has performed in New York City Off-Broadway original stage plays. Valaira Sa-Ra loves to share her creativity in a positive and inspiring life affirming way.

Experts

Dr. Bree E. Cook, Psy.D., CFLE

 

BIO

 

Dr. Bree E. Cook currently works as the Associate Dean in the School of Cultural & Family Psychology at Pacific Oaks College, which houses a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy and a BA in Community Psychology.  Dr. Cook, trained in Multicultural & Community Clinical Psychology, has 18+ years of professional experience working with children and adults in the fields of co-occurring disorders, child welfare, and criminal justice.  Dr. Cook’s personal mission statement is: “Reduce mental health disparities in the African American community, by increased culturally relevant education, advocacy, and program development.”  Over the years, Dr. Cook has been able to mentor, educate and inspire hundreds of blooming mental health professionals, encouraging them to find their passion.  Bree is a native of California where she resides with her husband, son and three daughters.

Melissa Shepherd-Williams

 

BIO

 

Melissa Shepherd-Williams is a psychotherapist serving for over 20 years and has been dedicating herself to design and present programs on how to live with GUSTO by taking charge of one’s health in body, mind, and spirit. Her book titled “Living Deliciously: Recipes to Welcome Joy into Our Lives” is a compilation of her newsletters including exercises and reflections on how to “squeeze the juice” out of life. In addition to private practice, she serves as a psychotherapist at the California Institute of the Arts and Adjunct Faculty in the School of Cultural and Family Psychology at Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School. Her community service includes work as Vice-President of the International Society of Black Latinos, an organization that endeavors to expand knowledge about Latinos in the African Diaspora through workshops and special events.

Natasha McCrea

 

BIO

 

Natasha is a life and love coach for Alpha Females who guides you into designing the life and love you want with grace and ease.  “I coach smart women, who want to put down stress and overwhelm and tap into their love power, how to live happier lives." As an actress Natasha toured her one woman show, "Evolution of a Love Addict" across the  US. She owns a production company with her husband where she produces and creates compelling content with strong female leads. Her mission in life is to encourage and empower women through all forms of media.

 

She is the Founder and CEO of Love CEO Institute which offers live events, online courses, and private coaching. She has a degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University. 

 

She is living the life she has designed for herself and she’d like to inspire,

motivate and coach you to do the same.  She believes, “When you own it, it’ll work for you.”  Natasha lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband.

Participants

Breanna Prince

 

BIO

 

Breanna currently resides in Los Angeles CA. She is An Amazonian who works behind the scenes for the entertainment industry and was born in Victorville, CA and raised in Hemet, CA. She has put herself through college and is working on obtaining her Bachelors degree. She enjoys working hard, motivating and inspiring others. Breanna is working to become a nurse and she continues to doing all things positive for others. 

Browniesha Blackman

 

BIO

 

Browniesha Blackman is a God fearing woman that is a mother of two beautiful children; Myla, and Ricky whom she calls the Super Kid. She’s the founder of The Arri Foundation & Free-Ur-Heart Ministries and is a Minister, Motivational Speaker, and Spiritual Mentor. She just recently hit the air way on her very own radio station “Free Talk Radio”. She’s a woman that wear many hats. She’s resilient, on fire and ready to push people to be their best self and with that she knows she’s living on purpose. 

Chanel McNair

 

BIO

Chanel McNair is the oldest of 3 siblings who grew up in West LA. 
She moved to the Long Beach California in 1994 and later graduated from Long Beach City College. Chanel is a mom of 1 teenage son, and a survivor of Depression.  She's an Advocate for brisk walking & speaks transparently on her #MentalHealth journey. ​Chanel McNair turned her pain into a movement. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter @BriskWalkLady.

 

Kay Benjamin

 

BIO

Tamiyka White

 

BIO

Tamiyka White is an actor, director, writer, poet, stand-up comic and theatre producer. Her performances included When Stars Align at The Odyssey Theatre; Fire and Brimstone, Doubt, The Bluest Eye, A Raisin in The Sun, to name a few. Other stage credits: Miss Witherspoon, The Crucible, Jar the Floor and Before It Hits Home; Keith Antar Mason’s Mississippi Gulag. Her film credits: The Boots (short film), White Rabbit, The Saint (short film) and Fifth Ward. Her writing credits: A KNOCK AT THE DOOR and NO MERCY. Other co-writer credits include 1 hour drama, A.B.W., Or Angry Black Women, and another comedy pilot entitled Call Center. Tamiyka is in the works of launching her podcast, Black Girl Magic Creative Series. She was Co-Founder and was Managing Director of Renaissance Performing Arts Center, a non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, which she ran for 10 years in her hometown of Houston, Texas. She’s a graduate of the University of Houston and the Summer Training Congress at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Ms. White is a member of both Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA).

Tangie Terry

 

BIO

Tangie a woman, mother and a living and breathing vessel from the Most High. She has a sound heart and strong mind towards her passions. Her gifts to the world is her compassionate heart, transparency, boldness, and most importantly wisdom to heal the spirit. 

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