DEMANE DAVIS Television Director | Producer | Filmmaker DeMane Davis is a Television Director, Executive Producer and Filmmaker who has an overall creative deal with Warner Brothers Television Group and is currently EP on the TV series “Brilliant Minds” starring Zachary Quinto (premieres 9/23 on NBC.) DeMane’s TV directing career began when Ava DuVernay invited her to direct Queen Sugar. Since then she has directed and produced the pilot of Found, starring Shanola Hampton; Naomi; the Emmy nominated Netflix limited series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker; and Clarice. DeMane has helmed episodes of For The People, You, How to Get Away with Murder and Station 19. She has also directed over seventy commercials including the 2023 Super Bowl spot for PETA starring Edie Falco, selected as Best Celebrity Commercial by Entertainment Weekly. Both of the indie features DeMane wrote and directed premiered In Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival and internationally at Edinburgh. LIFT starred Kerry Washington in her first leading role and received two Spirit Award nominations. DeMane’s previous career as a Copywriter/Creative Director spans twenty-five years and counts Nike, Snapple, Reebok, Coca-Cola and Blue Cross Blue Shield as clients. When not working DeMane supports The Innocence Project and the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. LOCATION: I Am Everywhere. Website Twitter Instagram FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

MELINDA HSU Writer | Producer | Showrunner "I will share my knowledge from two decades as a TV writer-producer to help you craft effective strategies to manage your creative journey. And as a former introvert who is also the daughter of Chinese immigrants, I am committed to helping you overcome parental discouragement and cultural inhibitions so that you can step forward powerfully into the world, joyfully take up space, and boldly voice your perspective. While I won’t offer detailed notes on your writing or hear pitches, I will give you insights about the current TV landscape as well as pro tips on navigating the entertainment industry in a way that sustains your internal calm." Melinda Hsu is a TV writer-producer who was the showrunner of NANCY DREW and its spinoff TOM SWIFT, both on the CW; currently, she’s in a multi-year development overall deal at ABC Signature. A lifelong genre geek, she started writing at age 8 when she authored a Star Trek fan fiction novella series on a stack of spiral notebooks in her childhood bedroom in Bangor, Maine. Her TV credits include LOST, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, THE GIFTED, FALLING SKIES, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, MEDIUM, and one-hour pilots for Amazon, Netflix, NBC and Lifetime. In her nonprofit life, she mentors writers and producers through the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE), helped found the Asian American Pacific Islander Writers’ Brunch and the CAPE Showrunner Incubator, and serves on the Executive Board of the Sarah Jones Film Foundation, which fosters set safety through awareness and accountability. She has also been a staff member of service organizations providing education and advocacy for adult refugees and people living with HIV/AIDS. Recently, the Center for Strategic and International Studies appointed her to a U.S. delegation to evaluate NATO facilities throughout Europe in order to craft new messaging around NATO’s work and engagement with the public. Her podcast, Lead With Kindness, is aimed at changing the culture of Hollywood and the world; this series of ten 30-minute conversations is available in audio and transcript form via Apple Podcasts (IG: @LeadWKindness). 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

BETH OSISEK Vice President of Content Development HULU Originals "In full disclosure I will say I hold no key to success. My goal will be to help you be best positioned for opportunity. As a mentor I am happy to give you feedback on your pitch, film or visual project and clue you into the market place you will face as you try to finance. I can also help you hone the narrative you will bring to the project to sell it. I am obsessed with story elements, story structure and love playing with form. I consider it my goal to help you upend tropes and avoid formulas.. If you aspire to be a producer or creative executive I can help with development, networking and outline creative skills to hone." Beth Osisek is a VP of Content Development at HULU Originals focused on documentary and limited series. She brings her decades long experience as an award winning filmmaker to the position. Since joining the Hulu team she has worked on I Am Greta, Framing Britney Spears, Padma Lakshimi’s Taste The Nation, Hilary, Captive Audience and Victoria Secrets: Angels and Demons . She is driven by a belief in the power of story to entertain, inform and impact. Before joining Hulu, she executive produced the three part Netflix documentary series Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates which looks at Gates's past and present as he tackles some of the biggest problems facing the world today. Other work includes CNN Films "We Will Rise'' with Michelle Obama and the PBS documentary "MAKERS: Women Who Make History". FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC, C-SUITE TY STIKLORIUS Founder & CEO Friends At Work I can help you: in fields of music, film, TV and entertainment, understand how better to build a team culture that lasts, stay healthy and whole as an entrepreneur, manage artists and make a positive social impact on the world. Ty Stiklorius is the Founder and CEO of Friends At Work, an entertainment and social-impact company that partners with leading creators, influencers and brands to elevate important voices and help their vision thrive. Founded in 2015, LA-based Friends At Work supports the careers of artists including John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Lindsey Stirling, and Charlie Puth, among others. Friends At Work also advises organizations and individuals on social-impact strategy, business development, and creative storytelling and production. In 2019, Ty started managing impacters Neal Katyal and Erica Chidi Cohen recognizing the important need for infrastructure around changemakers. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV CABRINA QUESADA Vice President of TV Heyday "As a mentor, I will help you establish a foundation for development, networking and honing your brand, particularly for those with creative executive or producing aspirations." Cabrina Quesada is the Vice President of TV at Heyday, David Heyman’s Oscar-winning production company (HARRY POTTER, GRAVITY, MARRIAGE STORY, CLICKBAIT). Previously, she was the Director of Development at Anonymous Content, where she oversaw TV & Film for the Producer Joy Gorman Wettels (13 REASONS WHY) and covered Dana Fox’s Overall Deal with AC Studio and Paramount TV (HOME BEFORE DARK). Prior to AC, she worked at Netflix, starting in International Series & Film. On the creative team, she helped launch their first original slates in India and the Middle East (SACRED GAMES, DELHI CRIME, BARD OF BLOOD, LITTLE THINGS) and traveled to Mumbai to grow their regional office. Later on the U.S. Original Series Team, she worked in the Drama department on titles such as Molly Smith Metzler’s award-winning limited series MAID, as well as Overall and First Look deals, such as Obama's Higher Ground Productions and Regina’s King’s Royal Ties. Prior to the streamer, she worked for Director Ruben Fleischer’s and Producer Dave Bernad at The District (THE BOLD TYPE, SUPERSTORE, WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS, WHITE LOTUS), Brian Grazer at Imagine Entertainment, Barry Josephson’s Entertainment and Freeform. Additionally, she worked for Rob Lowe on-set of multiple scripted and unscripted series (CODE BLACK, ORVILLE, THE LOWE FILES), helped him adapt his memoir to the stage, STORIES I ONLY TELL MY FRIENDS, and co-ran the show on tour. As the daughter of a Naval Submarine Officer and a Military Therapist, she attributes her passion for telling universal stories that transcend borders to her family’s time stationed across the U.S. and Abroad. She is also an UCLA’s school of Theater, Film and Television Alum where she majored in Directing. VIEW ALL MENTORS

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

W. KAMAU BELL Comedian | Host | Executive Producer "As someone who has navigated a unique path through my career, but has somehow managed to make some headway in this business in comedy, writing, producing, and directing, I can help you brainstorm ideas and come up with plans to get ahead in your chosen career" W. Kamau Bell is a stand-up comedian and the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning CNN docu-series UNITED SHADES OF AMERICA WITH W. KAMAU BELL. His latest stand-up comedy special, PRIVATE SCHOOL NEGRO, is available on Netflix. Kamau wrote a book with the easy-to-remember title, The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian. He’s the ACLU Celebrity Ambassador for Racial Justice and serves on the advisory boards of Hollaback! and Donors Choose. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV GIGI CAUSEY VP of Production FX Entertainment "I’ve worked in many areas of production (Film/Scripted TV/Unscripted) both as a freelancer and in-house at both independent and major studios. While my expertise is in physical production (the details and realities that come into play once a script or show is green-lit), I work closely with creative teams and talent throughout all phases of a project from development through post production. This means I can offer perspective and practical insight as you’re working to find your passion and to hone or redirect your career path. WON’Ts: "I’m really looking to help someone navigate their overall objective and recognize their strengths and am not looking to give advice on a specific script or project. I will not read scripts or hear pitches." Gigi Causey joined FX Entertainment as Vice President, Production, in 2016. She is responsible for directly overseeing physical production on multiple series (Snowfall, Better Things, The Bear, Shogun) and projects in development for FX Productions. Prior to joining FX, Gigi worked as a freelance production manager, supervisor and line producer in New York and Los Angeles on independent films, unscripted TV, and major studio feature films (Queer Eye [the original], Safe House, Straight Outta Compton). She was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for Time Freak, a short film she produced and financed with her husband, who wrote and directed the film. Born in Costa Rica, Gigi immigrated to El Paso, Texas, with her mother at the age of six. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Radio-Television-Film. She began her career in entertainment in the art department of micro-budget independent feature films in Texas. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV ADAM NEUHAUS Founder Neuhaus Ideas Adam is the founder of Neuhaus Ideas, an ideas production company. Before that, Adam spent 7+ years as head of development for 30for30, ESPN Films and ESPN+ developing and producing 100+ storytelling projects across feature length documentaries, docuseries, scripted adaptations, digital series, and 30for30 Podcasts. Adam is longtime supporter of the Ghetto Film School, previously serving on the Board of Directors and currently serving on the Advisory Board. Adam also serves on the Board of Directors for the Bushwick Film Institute and proudly serves as a mentor for Unlock Her Potential. WEBSITE LINKEDIN TWITTER "Adam has helped me in so many ways - it's hard to believe it's only been four months since we met! He has introduced me to a host of industry connections and consistently pushes me to grow in my career. I've seen tremendous progress already, and I am checking off boxes as I get closer to my dreams." — Chloe VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC, C-SUITE PAUL BROUCEK President of Music Warner Bros. Pictures Paul Broucek began his film career as an assistant engineer on the mix of APOCALYPSE NOW. In the 1980s, Broucek went on to join the music engineering staff at the legendary Record Plant. By the end of the decade Broucek moved to music supervision, overseeing a mix of feature films and television projects. He joined the New Line Cinema music department in 1996 and was named President in 2001. During Broucek’s tenure at New Line, he oversaw the music for projects as diverse as AUSTIN POWERS, the RUSH HOUR series, AMERICAN HISTORY X and the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Broucek was named President, of Music at WB in 2009. On top of his administrative duties, he continues to serve as the creative music executive on a full slate of films annually including THE HOBBIT trilogy, INCEPTION, GRAVITY, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, THE GREAT GATSBY, WONDER WOMAN, JOKER, TENET, JUDAS & THE BLACK MESSIAH, KING RICHARD and ELVIS. IMDB VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV LENNON PARHAM Actor | Writer | Director "I will be a sounding board, a cheerleader, and brainstorm collaborator for the direction you would like to head in your career. I can help you set goals and get specific about where it is you’d like to go. My expertise is in entertainment, specifically being a writer-actor-director mostly in the comedy world. Can’t wait to get started!" Lennon Parham is an actor, writer and director based in Los Angeles. As an actor, she just completed filming on “Holland, Michigan” a thriller directed by Mimi Cave and starring Nicole Kidman and Matthew Macfadyen. And the new season of Minx (a comedy set in the world of 70’s erotic magazines) airs late this summer on STARZ. She directed two episodes of HBO’s acclaimed series “Somebody Somewhere” which just aired. Prior to that, she was a series regular on FOX's BLESS THIS MESS, for which she also directed two episodes. She co-created and starred in her own ½ hour USA series, PLAYING HOUSE, for 3 critically acclaimed seasons, also directing a HOOSIERS-inspired episode in Season 3. From TV, you may recognize her as Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ incompetent Senior Advisor, “Karen Collins” on HBO’s VEEP. Additionally, Lennon has made a number of memorable appearances on television including CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, Netflix’s LADY DYNAMITE, AMC’s MAD MEN, ABC’s SCHOOLED, NBC’s PARKS AND RECREATION and more recently BETTER THINGS. On the feature side, she also had flashy supporting roles in THE HOUSE, HORRIBLE BOSSES 2, CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC and OTHER PEOPLE. She has written a comedy feature for UNIVERSAL and is currently writing another with her long-time collaborator Jessica St. Clair. She is a proud alumnus of the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater and the University of Evansville. VIEW ALL MENTORS

SOCIAL IMPACT & ADVOCACY, C-SUITE ELLA GUDWIN CEO VisionSpring As a mentor, I can help you Lead a purpose-driven organization Navigate a career in the non-profit and social enterprise sectors Shift from doing to managing to leading Serve low-income customers and stakeholders Create a strategic plan Build and develop your team Measure and evaluate impact Develop fundraising plans and manage grants Succeed as a single, working mom Ella Gudwin is the CEO of the pioneering social enterprise VisionSpring . Under Ella’s leadership, VisionSpring has corrected the vision of 10 million adults and children with eyeglasses, unlocking $2.16 billion in income earning potential for households living on less than $4 per day. Why eyeglasses? They are a powerful tool for social and economic development, enabling low-income consumers to earn a living, achieve in school, drive safely, and improve well-being. Since Ella joined VisionSpring in 2015, the organization has: Grown its impact 5x to correct the vision of almost 2 million people annually Expanded from two to nine countries with 300 people in Bangladesh, India, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Vietnam and the US; and Raised more than $60 million. With 25 years of experience, Ella has led strategy and program development, emergency response, and Asia and Eurasia partnerships at AmeriCares ; foreign government and board relations at the Population Council ; and member convenings at the Council on Foreign Relations . Her passions for social justice and economic development took root when she lived and worked in Indonesia during the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the ensuing people power revolution. Ella earned a masters degree with distinction from the School for Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelors with honors from Vassar College. Ella is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Her work has been covered by the BBC , Financial Times , The Guardian , NPR/PRI , Forbes , Fortune , among other media and she has lectured at leading universities including Dartmouth, Duke, MIT, Stanford, Princeton and Yale. LINKEDIN “Ella is beyond patient, supportive and kind, while also fiercely direct, focused and strategic. Working with Ella has taught me how to effectively evaluate the operating landscape, including identifying both potential collaborators and competitors, and how to successfully create an immediate impact that positively influences achieving my goals. I couldn’t have matched with a better mentor than Ella.” — Kia VIEW ALL MENTORS

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MELISSA ROSENFIELD Founder IFP Communications "Being a mentor with Unlock Her Potential has been such a privilege and the responsibility of guiding and empowering women to achieve their dreams and aspirations means so much to me. In sharing my experiences, offering support, and providing the tools and confidence my mentees have been able to navigate their personal and professional journeys. This role has given me so much joy and taught me so much about myself and my own journey, it has been an amazing experience and I plan to continue with it." "I'm the social director, the party planner, the camp counselor all rolled into one.” -Cosmopolitan Magazine As a born and bred New Yorker (by way of Brooklyn, to be exact), Melissa Rosenfield has always been a connector. Her affinity for the most cutting-edge, unique, and thoughtful cultural experiences and things has led her to a life defined by well-seeded relationships with movers and shakers (attaining her a certain level of notoriety at a young age) in a variety of lifestyle verticals, including but not limited to hospitality, fashion, art, music, and food. Being around trailblazers throughout her life, Melissa naturally decided to forge for herself a new and unknown path. As the world’s one and only “Director of Vibe,” she is a lifestyle innovator, luxury travel expert and social director all rolled into one. She connects brands with the right people, in the right places, at the right times, establishes authentic partnerships, and most importantly, alignments that drive business and yield a strong ROI. In 2010, Melissa made her role as Director of Vibe official and put the concept into the world by way of her work as a consultant with the Viceroy Hotel Group. By 2015, Melissa’s consulting role had landed her collaborations with GM, Samsung, and 1Hotels, putting her on a fast track to conquering the lifestyle space in both New York, LA, and beyond. Later in 2015, she took it one step further and launched IFP Communications, a New York-based agency that focused on creative brand strategy, marketing, and public relations. Since its launch, IFP has worked with true indie brands and notable brands, including Girlfriend Collective, Little Spoon, Soozy’s Grain-Free, Momotaro Apotheca, Supernow, GREATS, Wandering Bear Coffee, and more, taking them from obscurity to household names. Her most recent accomplishments perfectly represent her ability to challenge conventional business models; she was instrumental in launching multiple indie beauty and food brands into major retailers in 2021 and 2022, including Target, Sprouts, Ulta, and Walmart – including a sexual wellness brand that may have once been considered taboo. Melissa is incredibly active in her spare time – both figuratively and literally. She is an engaged mother of Sidney, aka This Vibe Baby. She believes No Kid Hungry is a major cause everyone should be paying attention to and often partakes in workout sessions with Peloton and Mirror at home. She loves spending weekends outside (weather permitting) and hanging with friends. And she believes in the power of doing things with a swagger and a smile. MARKETING VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC ALYSSA CASTIGLIA Director of A&R | A&R Research UnitedMasters Directly out of college, Alyssa Castiglia was hired at Island Records to start their A&R Research department. One of her first signings at Island was 21-year-old singer-songwriter Olivia O’Brien . In September 2018, Castiglia spearheaded Island's deal with label Avant Garden, home to Emotional Oranges , THEY ., Chiiild , Slenderbodies , and Rynx . Castiglia then went on to serve as Senior Director of A&R at Primary Wave Music and concurrently, as an A&R consultant for Arista Records (Sony). At Primary Wave, she worked with such talents as Livvi Franc , M-Phazes , Tim Randolph , and two of the acts she signed at Island: Chiiild & Dante Jones from THEY . At Arista, Castiglia signed NYC’s own Princess Nokia as well as LA-by-way-of-Toronto R&B artist Idman . Alyssa is proud to now hold the position of Director of A&R/A&R Research at UnitedMasters , home to such inspiring artists as Brent Faiyaz, BigXthaPlug, Tobe Nwigwe, Superstar Pride, Liana Banks, Alina Baraz, Col3trane, and more. Alyssa is also honored to manage producer The Idiot , who is signed to Pulse Music, and singer/actor Algee Smith . VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC BOB POWER Grammy and Multi-platinum Producer/Mixer "Do you want to get rich and famous, or do you want a career? (We will work toward the latter, which can also get you the first!). Rather than “waiting for something to happen,” work to establish your trajectory as a professional in the music industry. Emphasis will be placed on developing a compelling image, expanding your catalog, getting traction for yourself through digital communications, positioning yourself as a working professional, and developing a broad-based technical, professional, and interpersonal skillset beyond simply I’m an artist." Grammy and Multi-platinum Producer/Mixer Bob Power possesses a wide and diverse range of musical talents: producer, engineer, composer, arranger, performer, and educator. In the recording world, Power has produced, recorded, or mixed hundreds of pop and jazz recordings for such artists and groups as Erykah Badu (produced and mixed 1998 Grammy “Best Female R&B Vocal”, tracks on “Best Female R&B Album”), A Tribe Called Quest, D'Angelo, Bobby Mc Ferrin, Chaka Khan, Ozomatli (produced and mixed 2002 Grammy “Best Alternative Latin Album”), De La Soul, Meshell Ndegeocello, Common, Miles Davis, the Roots, J Dilla, Curtis Mayfield, David Byrne, Spike Lee, Citizen Cope, Run DMC, and virtually every major record label. A 1997 Grammy Award nominee himself for mixing, Bob Power has had scores of charting records, and has received more than 20 gold or platinum records. His work as a recordist and mixer is enshrined in the Grammy Hall of Fame and the United States National Recording Registry. In the broadcast advertising world, Bob Power has written and produced music for The Super Bowl, Coca-Cola, Ragu, A & W, L'Oreal, Sharp Electronics, Chef Boy-ar-dee, Intel, Elizabeth Arden, Warner-Lambert, Purina, Jello, the American Cancer Society (EMMY Award winner), Chesebrough-Ponds, Cutex, and the Sun Company. In addition to ongoing professional work, he is currently an arts professor at The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV MITCH SOLOMON Manager Authentic Talent & Literary Mitch Solomon is a well-established feature film and television literary manager, with over 15 years of experience representing writers and directors. He is also a veteran producer, with high level experience running production companies at major studios. In his position at Authentic Talent and Literary Management, Mitch’s special focus is his talent for finding the core story within any piece of material and identifying the right constellation of talent to give it traction in the marketplace. His passion for development is informed by his roots as a producer, running the production arm for Magnet Management, as well as previous stints leading production at financier Film Roman, independent production companies with Miramax and Warner Bros. and heading development at Robert Redford’s Wildwood Enterprises. As a producer and executive, Mitch oversaw award-winning productions such as Lasse Hallstrom’s CIDER HOUSE RULES and Redford’s QUIZ SHOW. Independent producing includes Sundance opener MY FIRST MISTER and thriller BLOOD IN THE WATER. In all, Mitch has been directly involved with over fifty produced television shows and movies as a manager, executive and producer. Mitch has a particular interest in politics, creating and partnering on 501c3 organizations that merged the film, television, and music businesses for Presidential and Congressional campaigns. Mitch is a graduate of Vassar College and is proud to live in Eagle Rock with his partner who runs digital marketing for ArtCenter College of Design and raising a rambunctious teen. VIEW ALL MENTORS

JOURNALISM, C-SUITE DANIELLE BELTON Editor-in-Chief HuffPost Born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. on a healthy diet of news programming, pop culture, black history and “snark,” Danielle Belton is currently Editor-in-Chief of HuffPost. She was previously the Editor-in-Chief at The Root and is best known as the editor and writer of the award-winning pop culture-meets-politics blog The Black Snob. She was also the first black woman to lead a writer's room in late-night television as head writer for BET's NAACP Image Award-nominated show, "Don't Sleep," in 2012. As a journalist, Belton has written for: The New York Times, The Daily Beast, Essence Magazine, The Guardian, The American Prospect, Jezebel, NPR and many others. An advocate for mental health, Belton writes extensively about her experience with Bipolar disorder. She currently lives in New York City. "Danielle Belton is a wonderful mentor to have and I am very fortunate to receive her guidance. She helps me set milestones and yearly goals, doesn't allow my imposter syndrome to kick-in, and encourages me to take initiatives I wouldn't dare to try. She's a great listener and our informal monthly meetings make me feel confident about myself and all the things I want to accomplish." — Kristal VIEW ALL MENTORS

Your donations go to funding program implementation, administrative overhead, and operational costs. UP pairs Women of Color with Mentors to help them break through the glass ceiling and become leaders in their respective fields. UP Mentors share their expertise, experience, wisdom, insights, guidance, and constructive criticism in order to help their mentees develop and advance professionally. MAKE A DONATION MAKE A DIFFERENCE Your donations go to funding program implementation, administrative overhead, and operational costs.

ART, C-SUITE GABE WHALEY CEO | Founder MSCHF "I can help with business, creativity, going from zero to one, building a team, fundraising, dealing with lawsuits, managing employees, hiring / firing, breaking into the fine art world, breaking into the fashion world, etc." Gabriel Whaley is the CEO and founder of MSCHF, a collective of approximately 20 artists who are all about poking fun at contemporary trends and riding on the wave of controversy. In 2020, the brand received global attention when they customized a pair of Air Max 97s into "Jesus Shoes" where the soles contain holy water from the River Jordan. The design collective, MSCHF, sold the shoe for over a thousand dollars. Fast forward to 2021, their collaboration with Lil Nas X on the Air Max 97 "Satan Shoes," drew major controversy, that fed off of the common saying, "no press is bad press." Whaley once said, that their "perspective is everything is funny in a nihilistic sort of way. We're not here to make the world a better place. We're making light of how much everything sucks." It appears that with each controversial project, Whaley drove more and more interest and buzz toward MSCHF. The label was once again been at the top of the news when it sold 1,000 Warhol artworks for $250 USD each, but only one would be real. Playing Russian Roulette with one of the most coveted artists in the world would be unimaginable for some, but for MSCHF, it was the perfect way to make art accessible. This year, the Brooklyn-based startup kicked off the season with a project that resold designer shopping bags. On brand with the company's ethos of being "fans of mischief," Whaley and his team are exactly that, always looking to gain attention for their art, whether it is negative or not. Continuing on this creative path, MSCHF came together with Tiffany & Co. to handcraft "The ultimate Participation Trophy." Continuing its foray into the footwear world, the company officially launched its Air Force 1-inspired Super Normal sneakers in white and "5 O'Clock Shadow." MSCHF captures the entirety of the world with the release of the adventurous Gobstomper, drawing notes from the iconic Gobstopper candy that shows off hidden colors with wear in collaboration with Jimmy Fallon, and later arriving in a "Sour Edition." The mischief does not end with painting, as it also recently sold 1,000 keys for one shared mystery car that was located somewhere in New York City. With all that they have done in 2022, MSCHF shows no signs of stopping when it comes to fun and causing chaos. VIEW ALL MENTORS

PUBLISHING JEFF CHANG Writer "I’m a writer, a keeper and teller of stories, and someone who fervently believes in the next seven generations. I am currently thriving in the publishing world and cultural organizing, and am still recovering from ample service time in academia, the non-profit industrial complex, and the music industry. I’m told by people who still call themselves my friends that I’m one of the toughest editors, hardest inquisitors, and greatest cheerleaders they’ve ever had. I like broad thinking and big ideas. I’m really good at narrative and cultural strategy. I will never use the word “impactful” (because it’s not a real word). I’m at my best mentoring artists who think like activists, and activists who think like artists, but I love all people so just be yourself and let’s go." Jeff was named to the Yerba Buena Center for The Arts 100 list of those “shaping the future of American culture,” and the Frederick Douglass 200 as one of “200 living individuals who best embody the work and spirit of Douglass.” He has received the American Book Award, the Asian American Literary Award, and the USA Ford Fellowship in Literature. His first book, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, garnered many honors, including the American Book Award and the Asian American Literary Award. Slate named it one of the best nonfiction books of the past 25 years. Powell’s’ Books chose it as one of their 50 most important books of the past 50 years. A new revised Young Adult edition of the book—co-written with legendary hip-hop journalist Dave “Davey D” Cook—was published in 2021. 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

JOURNALISM JOHN HEILEMANN Host | Creator | Executive Producer The Circus "If you're an aspiring journalist or content-merchant of any stripe (reporter/correspondent, documentarian, author, publisher/entrepreneur) in any quadrant of the business (tv, digital, print, hybrid) with most any topical focus (politics, culture, business, tech) at one time or another over the past 30-plus years, I've been there and done that — sometimes even successfully! I can't promise you a rose garden, a magic bullet, or an easy glide path, none of which exists any more in the journalism racket (if they ever did). But I can help you comprehend, navigate, and chart a path through the fast-shifting/challenging/maddening/exhilarating landscape that we call 21st Century media." John Heilemann is a host, creator, and executive producer of Showtime’s Emmy-nominated political documentary series The Circus , national affairs analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, and host of the Hell & High Water podcast. Earlier this year, he launched Hat Size 3 Media, in partnership with acclaimed TV production company Left/Right ( The Circus, This American Life, The New York Times Presents ), to develop unscripted/documentary projects at the intersection of politics, culture, history, and current affairs. Heilemann is the co-author of Game Change and Double Down, about the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, and author of Pride Before The Fall , about the Microsoft antitrust case. All three books were New York Times bestsellers; Game Change held the No. 1 spot for 11 weeks and was adapted into an HBO feature film that won five Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, and a Peabody Award. From 2019 to 2023, he was the co-founder and executive editor of The Recount , a pioneering digital news start-up producing short-form video for platforms such as Instagarm and Twitter. During the 2016 election season, he was a co-host of the daily MSNBC and Bloomberg TV show With All Due Respect and managing editor of Bloomberg Politics. Before that, he was a staff writer for New York, The New Yorker, Wired, and The Economist . Educated at Northwestern University, Oxford, and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, John grew up in Los Angeles and now lives in Manhattan … where he principally serves as valet for his Great Dane, DZA. VIEW ALL MENTORS

SOCIAL IMPACT & ADVOCACY, C-SUITE HEATHER ANDERSON Chief Executive Officer Global Health Corps As GHC’s CEO, Heather provides leadership, management, and vision to drive GHC’s mission to mobilize a global community of health equity leaders. Since 2012, she has overseen GHC’s leadership development programming and training curriculum, partner recruitment and selection, and impact measurement activities in her roles as Senior Vice President of Programs and Chief Impact Officer. Prior to joining GHC, Heather was Vice President at Global Health Strategies, an international advocacy and communications consulting firm. She managed a portfolio of public and private sector clients, including The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Women Deliver and GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines. Heather previously served as a Senior Program Officer at Planned Parenthood Global in Washington D.C. Additionally, she spent time in Ethiopia establishing a youth program for EngenderHealth. Before joining the global health community, Heather spent six years at Accenture, a management consulting firm. She holds a Master of Public Health from Columbia University and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. Heather lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children. Fun Fact: If she could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, Heather would be on a plane to France. She is a lover of warm weather and would be extremely content with a croissant in hand while on a long walk through the French countryside. VIEW ALL MENTORS