Tea Talks With Tomeka

Diana Lesmez shared her journey through the entertainment industry. Along with being a filmmaker, she now uses her vast knowledge to help empower other filmmakers through consulting and coaching.    A produced feature-film screenwriter and an award-winning filmmaker, Diana Lesmez is a Jane-of-all-trades with vast industry experience in production, development, acquisitions, distribution, physical production, film finance, business/legal affairs, as well as new media.  She wrote the adapted screenplay for the recently produced feature-film, THE JOURNEY AHEAD, starring Michael Madsen, and she produced the feature film, CULTURE  CLASS IN AMERICCA, directed by Emilio Estevez.   Previously, she served as President of Production at a mini-studio, Arenas Entertainment in partnership with Universal Pictures, and was the Head of Development for Patriot Pictures, and the industry liaison for Banque Paribas, a film financing institution.  Via her banner company, Bumptious Media Consulting, Diana offers one-on-one coach

Born to a Nigerian father and Ivorian mother in Guymon, Oklahoma, Gladys Edeh has always been a lover of the arts right from the age of 13. Her love affair for film blossomed after watching the 1980’s movie classic, "The God's Must be Crazy" with her dad. Her dream was to attend film school and begin her life as a filmmaker, but her father had other plans and wanted her to pursue a degree that would provide better job prospects. She moved from Kano State, Nigeria to Atlanta, GA in 1995 and attained a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Film Studies at Kennesaw State University. Upon graduation, even though she worked in IT full time, she became an active member of the film community in the Atlanta area and participated in every film or video project she could find and performed in several roles such as a boom operator, background actor, production coordinator., production manager, etc. But in 2008, she formed KokoAtDawn Productions and produced her very first short film, ‘But Ma

TOY LEI shares her journey of acting that led her to becoming a filmmaker. Toy was tired of being offered roles as a masseuse or nail technician. She took her career in her own hands by writing, directing and producing action films.  TOY LEI has had a fascination with action films ever since her parents took her to Chinatown as a kid. They watched kung-fu movies every Saturday afternoon. After lamenting the lack of roles for Asian females over 30, she began writing, directing and producing her own projects. Her directorial debut, THE WEDDING, won her the Top 5 Women Filmmakers award from the Asian-American Film Lab and New York Women in Film and Television. BOXER, won not only Best Actress, Best Action and the Grand Prize at the 2015 Asian-American Film Lab 72-hr Shootout, but also won Awards of Merit from the highly competitive Accolade Global Competition for Short Film, Women Filmmakers and Leading Actress. It also won the Maverick Movie Award for Special Achievement in Stunts and a nomination from the Conn

A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, Tina Mabry graduated from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts with an MFA in Film Production in 2005. A true hyphenate, Tina is a writer, director, and producer for television and film. Tina is currently a writer and produce on FOX’s upcoming PROVEN INNOCENT.  She was a co-producer, writer, and director for the second season of USA’s hit drama QUEEN OF THE SOUTH. Tina was also a producer, writer, and director on OWN’s QUEEN SUGAR created by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey. Tina produced and directed MELODY 1963: LOVE HAS TO WIN, an American Girl special for Amazon Kids. The special earned Tina a DGA Award and a NAACP Award. Tina’s other television directing credits include Netflix’s DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, ABC’s THE MAYOR, HBO’s INSECURE, FX’s POSE and STARZ’s POWER. In film, Tina began her career co-writing the feature screenplay ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE directed by Jamie Babbit. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2007 and

Lous Simon shares her journey as a filmmaker. We talk about her latest film, 3 AN EYE FOR AN EYE.  Writer, producer and director, Lou Simon was born in Cuba.  At age nine her family immigrated to the U.S. to escape the communist regime. Lou started writing short stories at the age of 10 and eventually found her way back to her writing in 2010. In 2011, Lou went on to write, direct and produce her first feature film.  Never having been on a film set before, this was, in essence, her film school.  Since then, Lou has written, produced and directed four feature films in four years:  "HazMat," “Agoraphobia,” “All Girls Weekend” and “3.”  The first 3 of these films have obtained distribution in various territories throughout the world. The last film is just starting the festival circuit. Her films have also won several awards at various film festivals, and Lou, herself, has won Best Director. 

Hanelle M. Culpepper is an energetic and unflappable award-winning television and film writer/director whose visual, story-driven films have played in festivals around the world and on television. Last year, she made history by being the first African-American woman to direct for the Star Trek franchise. Her Parenthood episode was chosen by the producers to represent the series for Emmy consideration.  And in 2015, Hanelle was nominated for an Image Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. Hanelle has directed numerous episodes of television for all the networks. She has directed movies for Lifetime including Hunt for the Labyrinth Killer, a feature starring Amanda Schull (Center Stage, Suits, One Tree Hill), Michael Nouri (Flashdance), Coby Ryan McLaughlin, Anne Ramsay (Mad About You), James Avery (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), and featuring Gina Gershon; Murder on the 13th Floor starring Tessa Thompson (For Colored Girls) and Sean Patrick Thomas (Save The Last Dance, The District); and the suspensefu

Shanice Williamson discusses her journey from PA to Art Department Coordinator in just a short time. She heard about THE BOBBY BROWN STORY and she made a declaration to be on the show. She got a the job on The Bobby Brown Story by seeing a post on Facebook for Set Decoration PA. Shanice's work ethic quickly launched her career in TV.  Born in Queens and raised between Queens and Irving, TX (DFW area), I'm a dreamer, a dream-chaser and a doer. l'm a recovering legal industry vet, walking away from law and jumping into the film and television industry - on the ground floor! Leading up to the big leap, I wrote, directed and produced a short dramatic film entitled Waiting Room and a comedy web series entitled All That Shabaz. I'll soon direct a suspense short written by another awesome screenwriter entitled Potted Meat. I'm freelancer in the film and television industry, working in the Art Department. Check my credits by clicking the IMDB button below! http://www.shanicewilliamson.com

Marlene Rhein was born into a dysfunctional family one spring in New York City.  Although she always felt socially awkward, comedy and creativity became her salvation and eventually her career.  After attending Ithaca College on a Rod Serling Screenwriting Scholarship, she went to LA with $40 in her pocket and wound up directing hip hop videos, including 2Pac’s last with a quarter of a million dollar budget at the age of 26.  She would go on to direct music videos for Amy Winehouse, an award-winning, self-starring comedy short film “Let Me Tell You A Story,” and eventually return to NYC where she shot her first feature, “The Big Shot-Caller,” which was theatrically released in ’09, reviewed by the New York Times and acclaimed by critic Kam Williams, who called it “an appealing little gem of an indie which marks the impressive debut of Marlene Rhein as a writer, director and actor.”  Marlene was chosen by Filmmaker Magazine as one of their “Top 25 New Faces of Independent Film.”  In addition to developing her

Rachel Goldberg is an award-winning filmmaker who had her TV directing debut with AMERICAN HORROR STORY: CULT and recently directed on THE MAYANS. She has been supported by the Sundance/Women in Film Financing Initiative for her feature, TRANSFORMATION AWAITS, based on the short film, NEIGHBORS, starring Kelli Garner (SECRET LIFE OF MARILYN MONROE) and Edi Gathegi (TWILIGHT). NEIGHBORS was created through AFI’s prestigious Directing Workshop for Women. She also helmed the short film MUTED, about media discrepancy when a child of color goes missing, starring Chandra Wilson (GREY’S ANATOMY) and Malcolm-Jamal Warner (SNEAKY PETE) which sold to HBO. She was selected for the Sony Pictures Television Diverse Directors Program, the We for She Direct Her Program, FOX Global Directors Initiative, the AFI/FOX Studio Directors Initiative, Film Independent's Project: Involve and the Ryan Murphy HALF Foundation. As a writer, Rachel has been recognized by the Film Independent Screenwriting Lab, the Academy’s Nicholl Fellow

Amy Adrion is a director and writer whose work has screened at the Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca and Los Angeles Film Festivals, been broadcast on PBS and MTV, and won numerous awards including a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Student Film Award and an Impact Award at the Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival in 2018. A graduate of the MFA film directing program at UCLA, with an undergraduate degree in Literature and Theology from Georgetown University, Amy has worked in independent film production and distribution, as a producer on awards shows and as a festival programmer.  HALF THE PICTURE, Amy’s debut feature, had its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018 and includes interviews with prominent female film and television directors.  Amy grew up in Hillsdale, New Jersey and now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.   Amy and I chat about Amy's new documentary, HALF THE PICTURE where she interviews 29 directors including: Ava Duvernay, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jill Soloway, Lena Dunham, P

Writer, Director, Jan Reesman Jan is a Jersey girl who relocated to New York City where she started her journey in the entertainment business as an actress. After doing lots of theater she started producing and directors. That’s where she discovered her love for directing. Initially, Jan loved NY until she did a house swap with someone in LA. She hated it until she went onto a studio lot. Then she fell in love with it and relocated to LA. Over the years, Jan played many roles such as a personal manager for writers and actors, taught acting and casting director to pay the bills while working on her career as a director. After three attempts, Jan got into American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women where she created her short film, “ESCAPING JERSEY” which inspired by her life. Jan shares her journey to creating her new comedic web series, “Baby Boomer Bunnies” which has been selected to the Hoboken Film Festival. We talk about the state of women filmmakers in Hollywood and hiring women. Additionally,

Tivia Lynnell - an actor, animator and filmmaker.  She shared longtime passion for watching movies. During her high school years, she acted and wrote her first short film but was highly criticized by her teacher. Ultimately, she lost her confident to act. Thankfully, another teacher saw her natural talent and encouraged her that she could do anything.  Tivia and I discussed our time working on the Obama campaign in 2008. We talked about it helped prepare us for our journeys as filmmakers. A few years ago, Tivia taught herself animation. That led to her creating an animated web series Bexley Snow and the Magic Orb. She shares her process.  Tivia is the Founder and CEO of Tivoyage Entertainment.  Website:https://www.tivoyageent.com/bexleysnowandthemagicorb IG: https://www.instagram.com/tivoyage/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/tivialynnell  IG: https://www.instagram.com/bexleysnow Twitter: twitter.com/BexleySnow_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tivoyage/

Melissa J. Dixon   Following a successful career as a professional dancer/singer/actress performing and training others around the world, Melissa J. Dixon swapped her Capezios for stilettos and started a new journey, earning a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in communications. She then earned a master’s degree in strategic public relations from the Graduate School of Political Management at The George Washington University.   Since changing careers, she has worked in publications and communications for ESPN Outdoors/B.A.S.S., internal events and communications for Gaylord Palms/Marriott International Inc., global communications for UK-based Aurora Group, and is currently the project manager of sales communication at Scholastic Book Fairs.   In September 2015, she launched Ask the Entertainment Expert, a series of interviews with entertainment professionals from around the world intended to inform, inspire and empower up-and-coming performing artists. After taking a break to finish grad school, she r

Ronnika “RJ” Williams is a documentary filmmaker and author. After the passing of RJ’s father she made her father 3 promises and she later fulfilled them. RJ and her sister went to grief counseling. After going for a while, they recognized that they were the only people of color that was in their group counseling. That encouraged her to go on a journey to find out how the African American community dealt with grief and inspired “The Final 48 project.” The Final 48 project is a multimedia project. After reaching a point of defeat, she attended the Center of Documentary Studies at Duke University. During that time she was advised to insert herself into the project which allowed her project to flourish again. RJ also talks about experience in archival management. During an internship they found an old slave burial ground. She also desires to be an archivist for film and television.   During our conversation, RJ gives really good advice about how she coped with her loss. She also explains how grief is a silent ki

Tamika Lamison is the founder of the Make a Film Foundation. Tamika Lamison won a $10,000 for a scriptwriting contest in the 90’s. She took her money and moved to Los Angeles. She then sold her first script for six figures but then found out the check was bad. She turned her lemons to lemonade by volunteering and teaching children film. Later, she used her passion for film and teaching for something much bigger. Tamika started a nonprofit, “Make a Film Foundation.” “Make a Film Foundation” grants severely or terminally ill children their wish to make a film. They have both a short film and a documentary program. Listen to this hilarious story of how Johnny Depp volunteered his time on one of the children’s film project ‘s in a day’s notice. Guillermo del Toro is looking to volunteer to direct on one of their “Make a Film Foundation.” Although, Tamika continues to work and create her own work as a writer, director and producer, she truly feels that “Make a Film Foundation” is her greater purpose. Through “Make

Shivawn Adrienne is a Screenwriter, filmmaker & a Creative. We discussed her journey of feeling like an outsider during the time she was in film school to get her MFA in screenwriting. Shivawn turned that negative into a positive by starting, “The Creative Outsiders.” She uses her platform to unite, educate and inspire women filmmakers so that they never feel like outsiders during their filmmaking journey. Shivawn shares her different processes in writing a book and a screenplay. In addition to the value of the rewrites. We also talk about not comparing your journey to others. She expresses the need for creatives to practice self-care. Also the importance of looking after your friends in their low times. There should be no shame in us taking care of our mental health needs. In addition to her company “The Creative Outsiders,” she started a podcast also entitled “The Creative Podcast. From the women that she has  interviewed the most important lesson that she has learned, “Do the Work.” It is important to

Anthony Barrows grew up in the projects in Boston. He entered the foster care system at 14 years old. He talks about the challenges that most teenagers have as they enter foster care in addition to his journey from group homes to getting placed in a predominantly white neighborhood.  “Graffiti art saved my life,” said Anthony, although in the state of Massachusetts Graffiti is a felony. Yes, Anthony had been arrested several times but Anthony said being “Lucky” is the theme of his life. Although not having the best grades, Anthony graduated from high school. He didn’t have a plan so he decided to get a job but his foster mother and social worker intervened and made him go apply to the local college. Luckily, he got in. After completing college, Anthony felt led to get a job as a social worker. He wanted to help kids that was much like him when he was younger. Over the years he’s worked to continue to advocate for foster youth. He later applied to get another Master’s Degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Go

Melody is the Founder and Executive Director of Foster Care Unplugged. She is also an (APA) Applied Behavior Analyst for the state of New York. After witnessing her father’s death in the 1980’s due to Aids, Melody and her siblings were placed into the foster care system. She shares the impact of her family witnessing that type of trauma. Additionally, Melody and her siblings are culturally Puerto Rican and Italian that grew up in a close Spanish section. It wasn't an easy transition for them as they were placed in non Spanish homes.  At the age of 7, Melody was molested. During the investigation and therapy, she decided to become a therapist to teach therapist how to do their jobs. She found at an early age that the therapist didn’t know how to build a rapport with her trauma. She uses her skills as therapist to help the healing of youth that are in foster care.   Melody and her twin sister were hand picked out of 400 foster youth to get a scholarship from the American Dream Program. That program afforded the

Attorney Adrienne Ashby shares her journey to making her decision to home school her children.  After closing her law firm, she chose to balance practicing law part-time with homeschooling. During our conversation, Adrienne shares some factors that made her decide to homeschool her children. Additionally, she offers resources that will help those who are considering homeschooling. Adrienne feels like homeschooling is like our "Wakanda."  Adrienne has a law degree from The University of Virginia and an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She has practiced law for 20 years.  Adrienne is in her 6th year of  homeschooling and is grateful for the freedom and responsibility of teaching her children at home.  When she is not homeschooling or practicing law, she enjoys reading, yoga, and talking to friends over coffee. Facebook: www.facebook.com/adrienne.ashby.50 email: adrienne.p.ashby@gmail.com    

Desireé Sterling is the founder of a non-profit, "Becoming Families." "Becoming Families" is having their 3rd Annual "Forever Homes Gala" on May 4, 2018 (6-9pm.) "AGED OUT" the movie will be screened at the gala to talk about youth who's aged out of foster care. They will have other guest speakers, silent auction and much more. It will be a fun time that will make a difference. All proceeds benefits foster youth and foster parents.  Having seen the foster care system at work as foster child and now as a foster parent she knows the struggles and reasons behind the declining placement home numbers. Desireé desires to find more Forever Homes for children with a mission to Foster the Future. Desireé holds a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, both from Westminster College, and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security from California University of Pennsylvania and she plans to attend Hampton University in the near future to obtain a Doctoral Degree for Counselor Educat