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JOSEPH PATEL Producer | Director | Writer “Summer Of Soul” "As a mentor, I can share my experiences, my advice being on both sides of the creative equation, and any guidance you may need wherever you are in your journey. I can’t guarantee reading or watching anything, or making any professional introductions. But if you commit time and effort to this mentorship, those things can happen organically." Joseph Patel is an Academy Award-winning Producer, Director and Writer on documentaries and short films. He recently produced the documentary feature, SUMMER OF SOUL (...OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED), directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, which won the Oscar in 2022 for Best Documentary Film. The film won multiple awards (BAFTA, Independent Spirit, PGA, Critics Choice, Sundance Grand Jury & Audience Award) and was declared “The Best Film of 2021” by The New York Times. Patel began his career as a music & culture journalist, writing for magazines and websites. He went on to produce and direct television and digital content for MTV News & Docs and Vice Media, and served as Content and Creative Director at The FADER and Vevo. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV KELLY GOODE Senior TV Programming Executive "As an Unlock Her Potential mentor, my goal is to offer a mentee personalized career guidance, encouragement, and wisdom. I hope to use my entertainment industry background and experience to help a mentee create a vision for her professional development and offer advice on how to realize that vision. My approach is to meet a mentee where she is, providing a space where she can get feedback both on daily concerns as well as bigger picture strategies." Kelly Goode most recently served as Senior Vice President & Team Leader, Current Programming, at Warner Bros. Television (WBTV), the entertainment industry’s largest provider of original scripted programming for streaming platforms, premium cable, and the broadcast networks. In this capacity, Goode was responsible for day-to-day programming activities on a number of scripted series and worked closely with many of the Studio’s most influential producers. In this role Goode oversaw series such as “Dr. Wolf” and “Superman & Lois,” from Berlanti Productions; “Bob♥Abishola,” “Bookie,” and “Young Sheldon,” from Chuck Lorre Productions; “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” from Roberto Aguirre Sacasa’s Muckle Man Productions and Alloy Entertainment; the upcoming “Just Cause,” starring and executive produced by Scarlett Johansson; and more. Prior to her promotion to SVP, Goode was Vice President, Current Programming, WBTV, from 2015–2020. During her tenure, Goode worked on series such as “Riverdale,” “Westworld,” “Batwoman,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “DC’s Stargirl,” “The Flash,” “Gossip Girl,” “The Kominsky Method,” “Kung Fu,” “Legacies,” “Peacemaker,” “Shrill,” and “Titans,” among others. Before joining WBTV, Goode was Vice President, Original Programming, at ABC Family (now Freeform), overseeing the current programming department. She began her executive career at Columbia Pictures Television and then moved on to CBS Entertainment, first as an executive in the comedy development department and then as Vice President, CBS Productions. Later, Goode was named Senior Vice President, Programming, at Lifetime Television, as part of the team that launched the network’s first original scripted series. Goode has been involved in many professional and civic organizations, and is a board member of the “I Have A Dream” Foundation-Los Angeles. She also serves on the Reform Advisory Council at the Vera Institute for Justice, and the Advisory Council of the Hollywood Radio & Television Society (HRTS). Goode received her A.B. from Harvard College. VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC JENNIFER KNOEPFLE Executive Vice President & Co-Head of US A&R UMPG As Executive Vice President & Co-Head of US A&R, Jennifer Knoepfle leads the UMPG team with Co-head David Gray to foster the company’s culture of creative collaboration, nurturing the next generation of both songwriting and A&R talent and reinforcing UMPG’s position as the market leader in talent development. Knoepfle works with UMPG’s songwriters, artists, and producers and co-leads the A&R team in identifying, signing, and developing early rising talent, supporting legacy talent by providing opportunities to strengthen their careers, and further grow the company’s unparalleled catalog of hits. Prior to UMPG, Knoepfle was at Sony Music Publishing, serving as SVP, Creative. During her tenure, Knoepfle was responsible for signing and developing some of the most exciting, acclaimed, and decorated songwriters in the U.S. including; Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Dan Nigro, Ariel Rechtshaid, Bloodpop, Joel Little and artists including; WILLOW, Tate McRae, King Princess, Remi Wolf, Maggie Rogers, Leon Bridges, Wallows, Salem Ilese, Noah Kahan and Lord Huron in recent years. Other notable songwriters that Knoepfle has signed and worked with throughout her career include Grimes, Foster The People, Mikky Ekko and Sam Dew. VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC JUST BLAZE Director of Music & Culture | Hip Hop Producer Just Blaze is a legendary hip hop producer who has been a household name in the music industry for the past 20 years. He’s worked on classic albums such as Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint” and “The Black Album,” Drake’s “Take Care,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” and Beyonce’s “Lemonade”. He’s won multiple Grammy awards and has worked with artists such as Snoop Dogg, Usher, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Rick Ross, Diddy & Christina Aguilera, Eminem, TI & Rihanna, and many more. In addition to his record production projects, he’s scored various video games for EA Sports, Capcom and Midway, including game-changing projects like Def Jam Vendetta and NBA Street, Volume 2. Just has also toured extensively worldwide as a festival and club DJ. He recently released the smash hit single “We Win” featuring Lil Baby and Kirk Franklin as the lead single off of the Space Jam 2 Soundtrack. Just was a star of the Netflix documentary series “Rapture,” which tells the story of his musical journey. He executive produces and hosts the upcoming series “Fresh Pair” for Uproxx, and is currently serving as the Director of Music & Culture for Brass Lion Entertainment, a AAA video game studio focused on telling diverse stories in interactive mediums. VIEW ALL MENTORS

PUBLISHING MARK ANTHONY NEAL James B. Duke Distinguished Professor Duke University Born and raised in the Bronx, NY Mark Anthony Neal is James B. Duke Professor of African & African-American Studies and Professor of English. Neal is the author of five books including What the Music Said: Black Popular Music and Public Culture, Soul Babies: Black Popular Culture and the Post-Soul Aesthetic and Looking for Leroy: Illegible Black Masculinities, and co-editor, with Murray Forman, of That’s The Joint!: The Hip-Hop Studies Reader (now in its 2nd edition). At Duke Neal offers courses in Black Cultural Studies, including signature courses on “Michael Jackson and the Black Performance Tradition” and “The History of Hip-Hop,” co-taught with Grammy Award Winning Producer 9th Wonder. Neal also directs the Center for Arts, Digital Culture and Entrepreneurship (CADCE) which produces original digital content, including the weekly video podcast Left of Black, produced in collaboration with the Franklin Humanities Institute at Duke. WEBSITE QZ.com - How black feminism saved this Duke professor from himself ADUKE MAGAZINE - This professor is his own MAN VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING MELANIE GEE GVP, Client Partner | Razorfish APPLY FOR MARKETING MENTORS WITH THIS LINK "Whether you're trying to sharpen your problem-solving skills, expand your influence, or think more strategically about your career, I’m here to help you get unstuck and think bigger. My approach is part mindset shift, part practical tools — grounded in real-world experience and a passion for out-of-the-box thinking. We’ll work together to build your confidence, deepen your relationships, and uncover the growth potential hiding in plain sight — for you, your team, and your business." Melanie is a GVP, Client Partner at Razorfish, a digital agency that partners with the world’s most iconic brands to transform their business in an ever-evolving digital landscape. She has over 20 years of experience and proven success leading integrated marketing teams on brands including Citi, Blue Apron, Northeastern University, Sonesta Hotels, WeWork, and Caesars Entertainment. Melanie manages major client relationships at Razorfish. She balances strategy, relationship-building, and business leadership across multimillion-dollar accounts. She is the main point of contact and ensures the agency’s work aligns with business goals and keeps clients happy. She often translates a client request and provides extra business content in a way that makes more sense to their job and helps them understand why requests are coming through. She works with, helps lead, and provides guidance across leads large internal teams like Media, Creative, Analytics, Finance, Production, etc. She solves problems when issues arise and looks for ways to grow the partnership. For the first time ever, a third party is sponsoring a full cohort! Top digital marketing agency Razorfish, part of Publicis Groupe, is providing all of the Marketing mentors in 2026. Thanks to Razorfish's generosity, ALL applicants to these 5 Marketing mentors will be free." VIEW ALL MENTORS

KIM WILLIAMS Casting Executive | Casting Director | Producer "Casting is key to bringing stories to life and reflecting real-world diversity. Your unique perspectives can shape authentic and powerful narratives. Casting is not just about finding the right actor for a role, but about shaping the way stories are told and who gets to tell them. By learning about casting, you help ensure diverse voices are represented on screen. As a mentor with extensive experience in the casting process, I can guide you through the intricacies of this vital role. My commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in storytelling, coupled with my industry knowledge, equips me to support and inspire you on this exciting journey." Kim most recently served as Vice President, Casting at Disney Television Studios, a post she held from October 2019 - April 2023. Kim served as casting director for season 4 the critically acclaimed series Genius, this iteration, Genius: MLK/X, exploring the lives of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. She cast the lead in Lee Daniels’ upcoming limited series for Hulu, Sammy Davis Jr. She also cast the teen leads in the Disney+ series The Crossover as well as the pilot and first season of Freeform's hit series Single Drunk Female. She oversaw the casting for Onyx's new series Deli Boys, Lee Daniels' The Spook Who Sat by the Door for FX, Showtime'sThe Chi. She was instrumental in shaping the casts and overseeing and the FX series The Old Man starring Jeff Bridges and the Emmy-nominated season 3 Genius: Aretha. Kim joined ABC as director of casting in early 2019, working on projects for the network, Disney+ and ABC Studios, including the critically acclaimed For Life. Kim is passionate about diversity, belonging, inclusion and equity and was actively involved in several projects and initiatives across The Walt Disney Company. As an independent casting director, Kim worked on Greg Berlanti’s All American, Narcos, The Bernie Mac Show and Martin, and several Tyler Perry movies and series including Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and feature films including My Little One and Payment Received. Williams worked on The HBO Access Project, allowing her to guide casting while mentoring creative minds from diverse backgrounds over eight projects. Previously, at Paramount Pictures and Television, Williams oversaw the casting for Annihilation, Looking for Alaska, Jack Reacher: Never Look Back, Baywatch starring Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson, Shooter, The Alienist and Grease: Live! While at Fox, Williams served as director of casting on shows including Prison Break, Glee, and Sarah Conner Chronicles. Prior to that, Williams spent close to a decade at HBO as a director of casting. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV GBENGA AKINNAGBE Activist | Actor | Entrepreneur Liberated People "From activism to entrepreneurship, storytelling is our greatest tool. Communicating a message to humans is an endeavor as old as humanity itself. Whether it's an audience of one or a million, together we'll learn to identify whom we're connecting with, how they may receive information that penetrates their hearts and minds, and how we can best become those storytelling vessels." Activist, actor and entrepreneur are just a few traits to describe the multi-faceted rising star Gbenga Akinnagbe. Perhaps best known for his career defining turn as “Chris Partlow” in “The Wire,” Gbenga can currently be seen in the FX drama series THE OLD MAN from Fox 21 Television Studios in association with The Littlefield Company. He plays the series regular role of ‘Julian,' a highly trained special ops contractor sent to hunt down Chase, portrayed by Jeff Bridges. Written by Jon Steinberg & Robert Levine, the series also stars John Lithgow, Amy Brenneman, Alia Shawkat. He will next be seen in the features THE THICKET opposite Juliette Lewis and Peter Dinklage based on the critically acclaimed novel from Joe R. Lansdale, FAST CHARLIE from director Phillip Noyce, and BLACK FLIES opposite Sean Penn and Tye Sheridan, heading to Cannes this year. Gbenga’s most recent TV credits saw him in a major arc on season 3 of Starz’s hit series POWER BOOK II: GHOST as ‘Ron Samuel Jenkins,’ and recurring on Hulu’s WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA as ‘Mook.’ He was also seen in Amazon’s anthology series MODERN LOVE opposite Zoe Chao. Gbenga previously reunited with “The Wire” creator David Simon as a series regular in the HBO series “The Deuce” opposite James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Set in NYC during the 1970s and 1980s porn and prostitution scene, Gbenga played “Larry Brown,” an intense and demanding pimp who physically intimidates his stable of women but also has moments that betray a conflicted, underlying humanity. On the big screen, Gbenga’s recent credits include MGM’s THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR opposite Yara Shahini based on the NY Times bestselling novel; STARBRIGHT with Elisabeth Rohm and John Rhys-Davies; ALL THE DEVIL’S MEN opposite Milo Gibson and William Fichtner; HEART BABY with Jackson Rathbone; the comedy EGG opposite Christina Hendricks, Anna Camp, and Alysia Reiner; Kathryn Bigelow’s crime drama DETROIT with John Boyega; and Amazon Studios’ CROWN HEIGHTS, which premiered at Sundance. The son of two Nigerian parents, Gbenga Akinnagbe (pronounced Ben-gah Ah-kin-nah begh) was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland and after a rough upbringing, credits his love of wrestling to help carve his path as an actor. Wrestling got him to Bucknell University where he graduated with a double major of English and Political Science and then worked for the federal government. Gbenga soon became curious about acting and started researching the craft and then landed a job as an extra on the HBO series “The Wire.” That extra gig led to Gbenga later being cast in the recurring role of “Chris Partlow” where he ultimately became a series regular for the last two seasons. Soon after “The Wire,” Gbenga landed starring and recurring roles on such hit shows as “24: Live Another Day,” “Barbershop,” “The Following,” “Nurse Jackie,” and “The Good Wife.” No stranger to the stage, Gbenga performed in The Public Theatre’s Merry Wives, which aired on PBS, The Oedipus Plays at the Shakespeare Theatre and Romeo & Juliet in Washington DC, View From 151st Street for Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s Labryinth Theater Company off-Broadway, and earned acclaim for his turn in the one man show The Thin Place. His recent Broadway debut in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, adapted by Aaron Sorkin and produced by Lincoln Center and legendary producer Scott Rudin, earned him rave reviews and won a Theatre World Award for his performance as the accused ‘Tom Robinson’ opposite Jeff Daniels, directed by Bartlett Sher, in this re-imagined adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel. Gbenga has appeared in numerous films including THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123, LOTTERY TICKET, HEART, BABY!, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE and as the producer and lead of KNUCKLEHEAD, which went on to win numerous awards in the film festival circuit. He also produced the indie film NEWLYWEEDS, which was sold at Sundance 2013. Off screen, Gbenga has numerous projects in development as a writer and director. He made his directorial debut with the independent pilot DC NOIR based on material from George Pellecanos (The Wire, The Deuce). The pilot premiered at the 2019 TriBeCa Film Festival. Gbenga was also a writer on the popular Crackle series, THE UNKNOWN. He is currently at work on a memoir, and has multiple projects as a producer. Gbenga has his own lifestyle brand, Liberated People, which has created powerful online movements like #OurSonTrayvon with various celebrities wearing hoodies and a percentage of sales going to the Trayvon Martin Foundation, an organization to end gun violence, and #PatriarchyIsABitch , where they donate a portion of sales to Black Women’s Blueprint, which recognizes the contributions of feminist freedom fighters. In addition, Gbenga can add interior designer to his credits as the founder of Enitan Vintage where he redesigns vintage and antique furniture in the same Dutch wax-resist fabrics that are a fashion staple in West Africa, which allows the consumer to “sit on a story.” Follow Gbenga Akinnagbe: Instagram: @GbengaAkinnagbe Twitter: @GbengaAkinnagbe Follow Liberated People: Instagram: @liberatedpeople Twitter: @WeAreLiberated Facebook: @LiberatedPeople Follow Enitan Vintage: Instagram: @enitan_vintage Facebook: @enitanvintage VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARCELLE KARP I'm a Go-Get-Her "I was never mentored at any point during my career. I had to navigate everything on my own and I made A LOT of mistakes. As a mentor I will guide you towards your potential and help you avoid burning bridges as I did. I will share whatever I possess in my skill set to help further you in your career path. My mentorship is a marriage of my experience, my wisdom and my devotion to my mentee." I have built my career understanding the power of the female brain on fire, the girl who is at the front, the woman juggling and struggling. Are you a writer? I'll show you how to find your voice, nurture it, unleash it. Are you interested in being a Creative Director? I'll unpack what that entails, guide you through corporate shenanigans, bolster your LinkedIn profile. Are you contemplating your next move? Oh my, let's get started. I can help you with any of those things. Here's some part of what I reign at: being your cheerleader. And here is a short list of some of what makes me right for you, how I tap into my voice, how I am always searching for more: I've had to tell Tyler Perry not to sing Millie Jackson's "Phuck You Symphony" in my on-air spot, I've had the great pleasure to produce a monthly stand-up show and I co-founded one of the pioneering zines of Third Wave Feminism, BUST. I've worked at SiriusXM/Pandora, BET, Madison Square Garden, the NFL, HBO, Lifetime, and so many other brands, as a Creative Director. I published my first YA novel GETTING OVER MAX COOPER in 2022. I got my Master's in Women and Gender Studies in 2023. And I'm just getting started. At my core, I'm a storyteller. I'd rather write than do most anything, and I know this: every woman has a story to tell. I'll mentor you to tap into yours. PRESS BLOG REEL "My marvelous mentor Marcelle expanded my perception of who I was by offering a safe space for me to explore my place in this chapter of my life. She told me, "Rejection is not the obstacle, it's lack of effort." This statement propelled me into my potential as a writer. Not only did Marcelle light the fire, but she also fanned the flame." — Janel "My experience with the Unlock Her Potential mentorship program has been nothing short of fantastic. I was selected to be a part of the program the first year and that’s when I met Marcelle Karp. During that year Marcelle encouraged and inspired me with her words of wisdom and kindness during our one-hour sessions. Her jovial spirit added a light-heartedness to our virtual meets which were during the pandemic. She always gave me a task to complete to help me stay on track to meet my goals, rather it was ways to expand my audience with my podcast or writing every day for 15 minutes, which eventually turned into one hour. As a writer, stand-up comic, and artist she was instrumental in helping me develop my level of discipline towards how I approach my creativity. I always left those meetings with my head held higher and a little bit more pep in my step. Thank you a million times to Marcelle for guiding and mentoring me, still!" — Rukeyah "I met my UHP mentor Marcelle Karp in 2021, the pivotal year I chose to break-up with my 10-year career as an academic mindfulness researcher. Determined to pursue a dream life as a creative professional, I pushed myself to land a new job as the Director of Communications at a Global Health NGO. I was ready to work with them to produce international video series about activist health workers in the pandemic, but found myself battling with severe nerves and impostor syndrome. Marcelle's mentorship helped me leap past my fears and step into the role to lead my team with confidence. She offered invaluable feedback as I successfully pitched, funded, produced, and launched the video series. Every conversation inspired me to tap deeper into my strengths, build new professional networks, and navigate the ups and downs of being a multidisciplinary creative leader. Since our year together, her advice has supported my capacity to take on new writing clients, travel internationally as a creative producer, and instill a work-life balance that aligns with my health and life goals. Meeting up with Sophia and Marcelle in New York after a year of Zooming in from California was an added layer of bliss to my mentorship experience. Now, as a UHP alumni, I aim to pay my blessings forward and open doors for other women of color within my industry. I'm honored to have been part of this mentorship cohort, and believe in growing this movement so more women of color can access lifechanging opportunities." — Sami MARKETING VIEW ALL MENTORS

PUBLISHING JEFF YANG Writer | Journalist A. Magazine "I write compelling narratives that seek to move people and shape public conversation. Sometimes they’re Op-Ed pieces for major media. Sometimes they’re books, screenplays or speeches. If you’re looking to use words, ideas and your public persona to change the world (or just the world around you), I can help you find and polish your narrative voice." JEFF YANG has been observing, exploring, and writing about the Asian American community for over thirty years. He launched one of the first Asian American national magazines, A. Magazine, in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and now writes frequently for CNN, Washington Post, Slate, New York Times and elsewhere. He has written/edited three books—Jackie Chan’s New York Times bestselling memoir I AM JACKIE CHAN: My Life in Action; ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, a history of the cinemas of Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Mainland; and EASTERN STANDARD TIME: A Guide to Asian Influence on American Culture, and recently coauthored the New York Times bestselling RISE: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now. His next book, THE GOLDEN SCREEN: The Movies That Made Asian America, will be a lead title for Hachette in Fall 2022. He most recently wrote and produced the feature film A GREAT DIVIDE, about an Asian American film confronting Covid-era xenophobia after moving to small town Wyoming, starring Ken Jeong and Jae Suh Park. He lives in Los Angeles, CA. VIEW ALL MENTORS

BECCA RODRIGUEZ Manager Grandview "I love working with multi-hyphenate creatives. Whether you’re a screenwriter turned novelist or vice versa, I can help demystify the development process on both ends from start to finish. In addition to the creative and development side, we can walk through business and strategy including how to find a representative, navigating the studio system/market, how to approach general meetings, pitching, and more." Becca Rodriguez joins Grandview from Curate where she oversaw the book department. Prior to Curate, she worked at The Gotham Group as a book manager. She began her career as an assistant at Anonymous Content across various departments from talent to literary then media rights. Rodriguez’s roster includes distinctive storytellers such as Philip K. Dick Award nominee Rebekah Bergman, Pushcart Prize nominee Lucie Britsch whose novels are under option and in development, New York Times bestselling author and journalist Maureen Callahan, International Latino Book Award winning author Ann Dávila Cardinal, PEN America /Hemingway Award winning author Oscar Hokeah, USA TODAY Bestselling author Jessica Joyce, PEN/Faulkner Award winning author Deesha Philyaw whose collection of short stories, THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES, she is co-adapting at Max and Viva Maude, Sue Grafton Memorial Award nominee Marcie Rendon, debut novelist Hattie Williams, and Locus Award finalist Hannah Yang. Born and raised in Santa Monica, CA she currently resides in Los Angeles. She received a BA in English Literature from Occidental College. Pronouns: She/Her Languages spoken: English & Spanish FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING OMAR FAJARDO VP, Creative Director | Razorfish APPLY FOR MARKETING MENTORS WITH THIS LINK "I can help you figure out how to navigate the creative industry without losing your voice, your values, or your sanity. I’m here to help you find clarity in the chaos, build confidence in your ideas, and approach every challenge with a fresh perspective. Thinking about a career in advertising or the creative world? I’ve been there—and I know it’s not always easy to see how you fit, especially if you’re coming from an underrepresented background. I can help you think beyond the brief, ask better questions, and tell your story in a way that feel true to you—whether that's in a portfolio, a pitch, or a client meeting. From career growth and creative leadership to simply figuring out how to be heard in a loud room, I'm here to help you move forward with purpose. My goal is to make sure you don't just survive this industry—you shape it." Omar Fajardo is a VP Creative Director with two decades of experience in advertising. Influenced by his training in art and design, Omar sees every challenge as an exercise in perspective. He starts every project the same way: by asking, “What is the bigger objective we’re really solving?” As a creative leader, he helps teams reframe the problem, challenge assumptions, and make space for unexpected solutions. His career has taken him across the globe—literally all seven continents—fueling a deep appreciation for different cultures, perspectives, and the ever-evolving landscape of pop culture and technology. He leads with empathy and curiosity, creating space for new voices and championing inclusive storytelling. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Omar brings his full self to the work and encourages others to do the same. His leadership has guided award-winning campaigns for brands like Citibank, GE Money, Sprint, Samsung, Dove, Burger King, Visit Orlando, and Holland America Line—spanning digital, TV, social, experiential, and out-of-home. Fluent in Spanish and fluent in ideas, Omar’s work has been recognized with Addy, Halo, and W3Awards, and featured in outlets like Architectural Digest Mexico, Art Basel, and Design Miami. He also helped shape the creative direction for speaker events featuring James Cameron, Vivienne Westwood, LeBron James, Malcolm Gladwell, and Steven Levitt. Beyond the day-to-day, he stays plugged into what’s next—continuously exploring diverse sources of inspiration, experimenting with emerging technologies, and blending the digital with the handmade. To him, creativity and learning is a muscle and a mindset. His north star? That life happens FOR you, not to you—and every project is a chance to turn that belief into something real. For the first time ever, a third party is sponsoring a full cohort! Top digital marketing agency Razorfish, part of Publicis Groupe, is providing all of the Marketing mentors in 2026. Thanks to Razorfish's generosity, ALL applicants to these 5 Marketing mentors will be free. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV TAZBAH CHAVEZ Co-Executive Producer | Episodic Director FX’s Reservation Dogs Tazbah Rose Chavez (Dinè, Nüümü, San Carlos Apache) is a performance poet turned television writer and director from the Bishop Paiute Reservation. She is currently Co-Executive Producer/episodic Director on FX’s Reservation Dogs. She has worked on SyFy’s Resident Alien, Peacock’s Rutherford Falls, directed on HBOMAX’s Sex Lives of College Girls and is a Writer/Director on FOX’s, Accused. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV ROBERT KESSEL EVP of Narrative Film Participant "I am a good person to bounce career trajectory advice around with—both how to get a job, how best to network and make the most of your contacts as well as a good handle on the creative/business side of the film business." Robert Kessel is Executive Vice President of Narrative Film at Participant, the leading global media company dedicated to entertainment that stands at the intersection of art and activism, where he co-manages the development and production of narrative films. Since joining Participant in 2013, Kessel has been integral to the production of the company’s most commercially successful films to date—Wonder and Green Book—overseeing production on both projects, and as an Executive Producer on Wonder. He was also an Executive Producer on the critically acclaimed Todd Haynes film Dark Waters, and oversaw production on Spotlight, Deepwater Horizon, Beasts of No Nation and A Most Violent Year. Kessel is an Executive Producer on the upcoming films Rob Peace and White Bird, the sequel to Wonder; he is also a Producer on the upcoming Out of My Mind. Prior to Participant, Kessel held executive posts at Matt Tolmach Productions, Overture Films, Hart Sharp Entertainment and Miramax Films. Kessel serves on the board of Students Run LA, a nonprofit organization that trains over 3000 at-risk kids to run the LA Marathon each year. He holds a BA in political science and film from Vassar College. Caveats e.g. I won't read scripts, I will not accept or receive any submitted material (scripts, pitches, demos, etc.) without a submission agreement for each project submitted. VIEW ALL MENTORS

ILEANA DIEZ Brand Strategist | Creative Marketing Roc Nation "As a mentor, it is my aim to create a trusting space where we can discuss how to build a brand, the creation of a marketing campaign that resonates with target audiences, as well as how to develop impactful strategies for projects both big and small. As an entrepreneur who has taken many turns in my career, I have a wealth of knowledge into how to make career pivots that build upon your experience and continue moving you forward to your professional goals." Named one of Billboard Magazine’s 2021 “40 Under 40,” Ileana V. Diez integrates creativity and innovation into all things that she does. As a founder in her own brand strategy and creative marketing consultancy, Ileana works with global brands and companies alike to build bridges between them and real authentic people and culture. Previously Head of Marketing at Roc Nation, Ileana created and oversaw campaigns for 70+ clients including Rihanna’s first return to music in over 5 years, the launch of Rihanna’s luxury fashion brand FENTY Maison (LVMH) as well as Mariah Carey’s career-defining 30th Anniversary campaign. While at Roc Nation, Ileana also created an in-house ‘Cultural Creative Agency’ where she spearheaded innovative global campaigns for clients such as Afterpay. Prior to Roc Nation, Ileana was a senior publicist at Island Records, where she was instrumental to the launch of Grammy-nominated Shawn Mendes’ career as well as the re-launch of Nick Jonas’ solo career. Born in Puerto Rico but raised as a third culture kid living throughout Mexico, Hong Kong, Australia and the USA, Ileana's personal passion is empowering women of color within creative industries and as a mentor, can help you define your own personal brand, strengthen your networking skills, and help develop a clear career path to achieve your goals and dreams. "As a young creative starting her first big girl job out of college, Ileana’s mentorship provided me with fierce words of wisdom that couldn’t have come at a better time." —Priyanka P. "Ileana helped me feel certain that I'm doing all the right things for my career switch to music. She boosted my confidence and trust in myself to continue being independent, rather than go get a full time job (just for the sake of added security) that doesn't serve my health, lifestyle or passions." —Maaheem A. MARKETING VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC CRISTINA CHAVEZ Vice President of A&R Universal Music Publishing Group Transparency encourages creativity. As a respected music executive and trusted partner, Cristina Chavez has catalyzed the success and evolution of various GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum producers and songwriters, ranging from Needlz and Bongo to Drew “Chiller” Gavin. Guiding careers as VP, A&R at UMPG, she consistently empowers talent to flourish and thrive at the highest level by leading with confidence and clarity. “I’m always transparent with my clients, first and foremost,” she exclaims. “They definitely know what’s on my mind. I’m very dependable as well. If I say I’m going to do something, I always get it done—and I make sure it happens in a positive way.” Growing up in The Bay Area, she immediately gravitated towards music during her childhood. Studying favorite artists, she obsessed over Toni Braxton’s voice and Babyface’s lyricism. While attending California State University Chico, she also split her time between internships at 106 KMEL and BET, grinding towards an eventual career in music. She turned the internship at BET into her first formal job as Talent Coordinator at 106 & Park in New York. She powered BET’s influential Music Matters brand, booking the likes of Kendrick Lamar, H.E.R., J. Cole, Big Sean, Miguel, Jazmine Sullivan, and more for gigs, appearances, and interviews at gestational phases of their respective careers. Not to mention, she oversaw the Music Matters presence at SXSW, A3C, and MegaFest, working with superstars such as Pharrell, Meek Mill, and T.I. 2016 saw her accept an executive position at ASCAP where she orchestrated initiatives with Women Behind The Music and She Is The Music, hosted panels, and secured talent a la Tierra Whack, Rico Nasty and many more for high-profile activations. In 2020, she joined the team at Hallwood Media as Senior Vice President of A&R and Management at Hallwood Media. Under her watch, Chiller wrote The Game’s internet-breaking 2022 epic “Eazy” [feat. Kanye West], while she also shepherded and ignited projects for Needlz [Cardi B, Drake, Bruno Mars] and Dimitri McDowell [Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla $ign]. Independently, she notably manages Bongo whose robust credits include Jazmine Sullivan’s “Girl Like Me” [feat. H.E.R.], Big Sean’s “Stay Down,” Cordae’s “Bad Idea” [feat. Chance the Rapper], G Herbo’s “Man Now,” Ty Dolla $ign’s “Ex” [feat. YG], and many more. At the same time, she sets an example for the next generation through her diligence and commitment. “I want to let young executives, especially girls, know you achieve every dream you have, if you put your mind to it,” she states. “It really is my life. I’m trying to contribute to the culture of music in some capacity. Whether it’s a song that speaks for the youth or putting a writer and producer together to make a connection around a great song, I want to add to this incredible world.” Beyond her role as a manager and executive, she has notably featured on panels for Joining Forces, a day-long summit hosted by Women In Music, ASCAP EXPO, and more. Thus far, her career has been chronicled by Variety and many more. VIEW ALL MENTORS

AMELIA HANIBELSZ Former Executive Director of Development | Founder ABC News Studios Amelia Hanibelsz is the former Executive Director of Development for ABC News Studios. In this role and in life she uplifts communities of color, underrepresented voices and under estimated audiences. She is a Prime Time Emmy nominated Supervising Producer and Genesis Award Winning Producer. Most recently she worked as Executive Producer at the USC SHOAH Foundation - founded by Steven Spielberg- supporting the creation of immersive and educational content inspired by over 55,000 testimonials of Holocaust and Genocide survivors from around the world. In 2020 Amelia wrapped as a Senior Producer for VICE on an 8-part series about young global activists. Over the past 20+ years, Amelia has acquired extensive experience in discovering and cultivating new talent for content initiatives on leading media networks such as Discovery, A&E, National Geographic, Animal Planet, The Smithsonian Channel, MTV, and VICE. She worked as the VP of Development for the award-winning production company Pangolin Pictures in New York for seven years. In 2013, Amelia founded Tell2C Productions to continue to utilize her storytelling skills for good. Since then, she has collaborated with FilmAid and the talented filmmakers of Kakuma Refugee Camp and is now proudly a FilmAid Kenya Board Member. She has worked with UNICEF, ActionAid, The Sesame Street Workshop, and The Gates Foundation to create compelling advocacy films on women and empowerment all over Africa. In South Sudan, she produced and distributed multimedia content for the United Nations, featured in Vanity Fair, Discovery, and Global Citizens social media platforms. She was a judge for the Reel Impact and IOM Global Migration Film Festival, which was in 106 Countries with over 500 screenings, a judge for the 41st, 42nd News & Doc Emmys, 73rd LA Emmys, the Netflix "New Voices" competition @ "Sunny Side Of The Doc" and a judge for the International Documentary Awards. She is an active member of the Television Academy, Global Impact Producers Assembly, and last but not least, a proud member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia. "Thank you for choosing me as your 2022 - 2023 Unlock Her Potential mentee, Amelia Hanibelsz. You've been a friend, sister, mentor and much more. Thank you for reminding me of my worth and pushing me to dream bigger. If it weren't for you, I may have learned lessons the hard way. Thank you for sharing inspo videos and WOC career advice podcasts. Thank you for showing up to Disney as a mover and shaker. ABC News President Kim Goodwin noticed your light and love. You glow without trying to. I'm most grateful for your transparency as you navigate grief. Thank you for feeling it because you've given me permission to feel mine too. Like you always say, it's wild how similar our lives are (right now). Thanks for making sure I didn't navigate this thing on my own. Cheers to that and as Sophia Chang says, 'Being the baddest b**** in the room." — Aja FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

SOPHIA CHANG Storyteller The Baddest Bitch in the Room "As a mentor, I will teach you to develop your negotiation skills, to have the hard conversations, to advocate for yourself, and find your true value. In short, I will set you on the path to becoming the Baddest Bitch In The Room." Sophia Chang is a screenwriter and author who is developing numerous TV properties, including a scripted series based on her Audible memoir “ The Baddest Bitch In The Room .” Her memoir will be released in print on 9/8/20. She was also the subject of an episode of the Hulu series “ Defining Moments .” Sophia created Unlock Her Potential, a program that provides mentorship for women of color. Sophia Chang is the music business matriarchitect who managed Ol’ Dirty Bastard (RIP), RZA, GZA, D’Angelo, Raphael Saadiq, Q Tip, and A Tribe Called Quest as well as working with Paul Simon. She did marketing at Atlantic, A&R at Jive, A&R Admin at Universal, as well as serving as General Manager of RZA’s Razor Sharp Records, Cinematic Music Group, and Joey Bada$$’ Pro Era Records. She trained with and managed a Shaolin Monk, who became her partner and father of her children. She produced runway shows for Vivienne Tam and "Project Runway All Stars," was an account executive at a digital agency, and did business development at a cannabis company. AUDIBLE - Prologue of Memoir HUFFPOST - Opinion Piece on AAPI Hate "I learned tangible skills around contract negotiation and communicating with my management, but more than that, it was being around a force like Sophia that left its deepest impression. I had access and support from someone who is a model of advocacy, community, impact, and badassery — and because of that became more of who I want to be in this industry/world." — Nancy "My mentorship with Sophia changed not only my career, but the way I operate in this world. In our time together she not only helped me develop hard skill sets in personal branding, pitching, and team management but she also gave me tools to cultivate my confidence, advocate for myself, and to dream big as hell." — Kausar FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV MARCIE CLEARY Partner Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Sel Marcie Cleary is a partner to the Entertainment Group at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, structuring and negotiating transactions for clients in the film, television, digital, and book publishing industries. Her clients include actors, on-air personalities, writers, directors, and authors. Cleary has significant experience representing comedians in connection with deals for stand-up specials, television and digital series, motion pictures, and recorded albums. Cleary also is one of the podcast industry’s go-to lawyers. She represents a number of successful podcast creators, hosts, on-air talent, and producers, as well as underlying rights holders. Cleary is recognized by Variety in its 2021 and 2020 Legal Impact Report. She was previously recognized in the Up Next List of Variety’s 2018 Legal Impact Report. She is recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the 2021 edition of “Ones to Watch” for entertainment and sports law. Business Insider includes her in their list of the 13 leading attorneys who work with digital creators and influencers. She has also been recognized in Super Lawyers magazine as a “Rising Star” in the entertainment & sports field. Cleary is a graduate of New York University (BA) and Yale Law School (JD). INSTAGRAM WEBSITE VIEW ALL MENTORS

PUBLISHING DR. JENN JACKSON Asst. Prof | Author | Abolitionist “Black Women Taught Us” "As a mentor, I will teach you how to navigate the gatekeeping of the publishing industry (both in journalism and book writing). I will help design a roadmap to discovering a writing voice, finding one's publishing or academic lane, and getting published and paid. I will also instruct on the differences between academic and public-facing/trade writing. I can also advise on how to pitch articles to editors, how to write book proposals, how to write inquiries and cover letters/bios, and how to find a team (agent, speaker's bureau, publicist, etc)." Jenn M. Jackson (they/them) ( @jennmjacksonphd ) is a queer androgynous Black woman, an abolitionist, a lover of all Black people, and an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University in the Department of Political Science. They are the author of the forthcoming book BLACK WOMEN TAUGHT US (2023) from Penguin Random House and the book POLICING BLACKNESS (UChicago Press, 2023). Jackson has been a columnist at Teen Vogue since 2018, penning articles on Blackness, intersectionality, racism, politics and culture in the United States. They have also been published at Al Jazeera, Washington Post, Marie Claire, Ebony Magazine, The Root, among many others. Academically, Jackson’s research is in Black Politics with a focus on racial threat and trauma, gender and sexuality, Black Politics and Feminisms, and social movements. Jackson received their doctoral degree in Political Science at the University of Chicago in 2019. They are a native of Oakland, CA and will always represent their city. "Dr. Jenn M. Jackson is dope. They fully embody liberatory educational and mentoring praxes. They're the kind to make the shortlist of my favorite theorists’ favorite mentors. Dr. Jackson was happy for me chart my own course for the year and also assigned me homework—which I love! Dr. J helped me identify a cycle that was scuttling my progress as a writer—and break it. I am unlocking greater knowledge of myself and of the publishing industry while working on some new manuscripts!" — Alexandra VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV BRIAN YORKEY Showrunner 13 Reasons Why Brian Yorkey received the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as the 2009 Tony Award for Best Score for Next to Normal. Brian was the Executive Producer and Showrunner of 13 Reasons Why for Netflix, Paramount Television and Anonymous Content. As principal of That Kid Ed, Inc., Brian is writing and developing numerous projects for Netflix, where he is under an overall deal, as well as for HBO Max, Charter, and other outlets. Brian was also nominated for the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Next to Normal, and the show won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Score. Additional theatre credits include If/Then (Tony Award Nominee for Best Score), and The Last Ship (co-bookwriter, Outer Critic’s Nomination, with John Logan), and Freaky Friday (Disney Theatricals, Disney Channel Original Movie). VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV CELIA AU Actress | Filmmaker Celia Au is well known for playing a variety of characters across Netflix's Wu Assassins, Comedy Central's Nora from Queens, and AMC's Lodge 49. Au believes the power of storytelling is to change perception and her producerial slate is centered around uplifting AAPI voices. She is an alumni of Berlinale Talents and her current projects include an untitled cooking show in co-production with Hearst Media Productions, a TV show and 3 feature films in development. She recently produced a Music Video Don't Give Up by artist Calistar and directed by Ron Yuan. Her films were nominated at the SoHo International film, Asian on Films and her VR project premiered at Cucalorus film festival. In addition to acting and producing, Au has been an outspoken activist in the AAPI community and has spoken at engagements with Goldman Sachs, IPG group, AEG Studios, Wash the Hate, Act to Change, and others. in 2020-2022 Celia was named the "Ambassador of Hope" at the Rise Above the Storm Gala. VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING MAUREEN POLO Executive Hello Sunshine Maureen Polo is an award-winning leader with 20+ years of experience in managing and scaling high-growth media businesses. In her current role, Maureen leads the Direct-to-Consumer businesses for Hello Sunshine including Reese’s Book Club, The Home Edit, and Hello Sunshine’s social editorial channels across social. In her role, Maureen oversees content strategy, marketing, editorial, book selection, and business growth. Prior to her role at Hello Sunshine, Maureen ran marketing strategy and solutions for Warner Media’s entertainment properties including HBO Max, TBS, truTV, Turner, Adults Swim, and Cartoon Network. In her previous role as General Manager at Fullscreen, Maureen ran the 400-person next generation entertainment company. Throughout her career Maureen has worked at a mix of traditional agencies and media companies where she excelled at leading start-up digital businesses specializing in the development and execution of cutting-edge cross-platform marketing and branded entertainment. She spent almost a decade at Conde Nast, led the sales and integrated marketing solutions team for Allrecipes.com , and worked with Rachael Ray & CBS to build and sell bespoke in-show, digital, and social integrations- essentially helping to build the industries original digital celebrity. Polo has been consistently recognized for their industry-leading work, including Shorty, Cannes Shortlist, OMMA, Streamy, RealScreen, Brandweek Constellation, and Digiday awards. Polo has also won Ad Age 20 under 30, She Runs It: Changing the Game Awards, and Cynopsis Top Women in Digital. Polo has also been profiled in Thrive Global’s Women Leadership series and featured in Forbes and Inc. "Maureen models badass-ery and generosity in equal measure. On being a badass, she’s a force of both creative and business excellence. Her quick and sharp feedback has been a tremendous guide for me as I navigate a career transition. On being generous, she is in the trenches with you, making sure you both do your best work and get your shine. Maureen’s mentorship has directly resulted in new perspective, new connections, and new opportunities for me. After my first meeting with her I wrote in my journal, “oh my gosh she's incredible” and many meetings later I can’t help but feel that same glee!" — Ami VIEW ALL MENTORS

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FILM/TV LORI TILKIN Head of Production A Better Tomorrow Films Lori Tilkin deFelice is Head of Production for legendary Hong Kong director John Woo's A Better Tomorrow Films, where she oversees all aspects of development and production for live action, television, and animated feature film properties. This includes liaising with writers, directors, agents, lawyers, studio execs, artists, and publishers in and outside of Hollywood and abroad. In her tenure with John Woo, she co-founded Tiger Hill Entertainment, overseeing all development and production of video game properties and comic book properties for the company, including Midway’s Stranglehold, Virgin Comics John Woo’s 7 Brothers, and Chilingo’s Bloodstroke. For the past several years, Lori has been invited to hear pitches at Fade In’s Hollywood Pitch Festival and in 2019 was proud to be a judge for Project Twenty1’s film contest. She is also the Executive Producer of Kybele Dance Theater, helping manage the company and produce live performances for the award-winning choreographer Seda Aybay. INSTAGRAM "I've had a really wonderful experience with my mentor, Lori. She's very knowledgeable and supportive and I really appreciate her willingness to read my scripts and give me thoughtful notes that push me to create better work. She takes her role as my mentor very seriously and is very generous with her time. I've enjoyed hearing more about her experience as a producer as well. As a filmmaker, this kind of connection and insight is extremely valuable." — Meera VIEW ALL MENTORS