Power & Community

In this episode, host Chanda Bynum talks to creative powerhouse Mike Berry about how to stay creative and motivated during these trying times.
About Mike Berry:
Mike Berry began his career in entertainment in 1998 with his first rap album, "Weight of the World," which made it into Billboard Charts top R&B/Hip Hop albums. His sophomore album, "8mm Film" spawned the hit single, "Me without a Rhyme," which also charted in Billboard Magazine's Top 100. His first feature film, "The Skip Thomas Project" screened in 2012. In 2014, Mike helped adapt the screenplay, "If You Knew Better, You'd Do Better," written by Cleveland Native and award-winning playwright Philly Weeden, and later went on to be the movie's Director and Co-Producer. Mike has also directed with the likes of Omar Gooding, Clifton Powell, and Joe Estevez in the hit film "Banger", which premiered on DirectTv in 2018. He also directed and co-produced "Hey Mr. Postman," a comedy featuring Paula Jai Parker, A.J. Johnson, and Rodney Perry. In 2018, Mike directed "Ray Jr's Rent Due", which showcased social media heavyweights Ha-Ha Davis, B-Simone, Landon Romano, and Rap icon Machine Gun Kelly, and was picked up by Starz/Hulu.
When not filming, Mike heads "Releasing The Pressure," a non-profit which serves as a resource for those who deal with (or suspect they are dealing with) depression. His latest film "A State of Mind" also tackles depression.
Mike is a firm believer in the idea, "Work with what you have right now, RIGHT NOW!"

This episode is about Josh Leong and Sofia's film "The Otherside". This film was shot in Ethiopia in 2020. It is about an orphan named, "Abel", who's about to age out of the foster system. This film is a call to shine a light on the abandoned children crisis in Ethiopia.

Nate Parker discusses his latest film “American Skin”, why now is the time to put Black stories on screen, and how storytelling is the legacy we leave behind for those who come after us.
About Nate Parker:
Nate Parker is an award-winning actor, writer, director and producer, who has played lead characters and held starring roles in at least 19 films, including American Skin, Beyond The Lights, Red Tails, The Secret Life of Bees, Arbitrage, and Pride. Most recently, Parker wrote, directed, and starred in the film, The Birth of a Nation, which tells the story of Nat Turner (played by Parker) who famously led the 1831 slave rebellion in Virginia. In his vision for the film, Parker expresses his deep desire to challenge the country to “heal from racial trauma through an honest confrontation with our past.” The Birth of a Nation won both of Sundance’s most sought-after honors: the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize. In addition to being a prolific artist, he is also a devoted activist. Parker says “If I am to be remembered by anyone, I would hope, those people speak my name as an individual who possessed a riotous disposition toward injustice, offering life and career as one of service to the marginalized, subjugated and oppressed peoples of the world.” Parker recently launched the Nate Parker Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to confront systemic crises and disparities within the African and African American communities in the areas of education, cultural enrichment, and social and economic justice. He is an outspoken advocate for racial equality, dedicating much of his time to closing the opportunity gap for boys and young men of color. Parker holds a degree in Computer Programming from the University of Oklahoma and an honorary Doctorate from Wiley College.

This episode features Lexington Rivera, the writer and creator of Art of Me's newest short film, Blood Hana. Lexington offers detailed insight behind the plot and shares parts of her process. She also discusses love, inclusivity, conflicts within the self and the community, and the importance of introspection, and much more!
To learn more about Art of Me and Blood Hana, visit www.artofme.org.

Dahyo Coleman explores directing color, images and aesthetic with us on this episode of the Power and Community Podcast! She shares with us her most embarrassing moment on set AND gives budding new student filmmakers advice on how to stay true to another creative's project when collaborating with others! Don't miss this episode!
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