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ESSENCE HOLLYWOOD HOUSE

March 8

Hollywood House is an annual event created as a resource for emerging and established Black & Brown creatives in the film and television industries. Through interactive conversations, intimate workshops, and unique networking opportunities, this experience provides a safe space for actors, directors, writers, producers, visual storytellers, and behind-the-scenes professionals to connect, learn, and grow as they prepare to take the next steps toward realizing their dream career in Hollywood.

Main Stage

Host

  • Skye Townsend
    Host

Cast Talkback Diarra From Detroit sponsored by BET+

  • Diarra Kilpatrick
    Actress, Writer & Producer
  • Claudia Logan
    Actress
  • DomiNque Perry
    Actress

For Us, By Them? Black Equity in Hollywood Roundtable

  • Kyle Bowser
    Senior Vice President, NAACP Hollywood Bureau
  • POPPY HANKS
    Executive Vice President, Film Production and Development at MACRO Film Studios

Partner in Prime: Fireside Chat

  • Grace Africa
    Comedian, Actress & Writer
  • Elsa Majimbo
    Multi Award Winning Comedienne, Author & Chess Champion

Turning the Page: A Cold Read

  • Aml Ameen
    Actor, Director, Producer & Writer
  • Lamonia Brown
    Festival Director, Essence Film Festival
  • Robi Reed
    Emmy Award Winning Casting Director

Fashion x Film: Careers in Costume Design

  • QueenSylvia Akuchie
    Costume Designer
  • Tanja Caldwell
    Costume Designer & Wardrobe Stylist
  • Dominique Dawson
    Multidisciplinary Creative
  • Amiraa Vainqueur
    Celebrity Fashion Stylist & Designer

Fireside chat with Da'Vine Joy Randolph

  • Da'Vine Joy Randolph
    Tony & Academy Award Nominated Actress
  • Mikki Taylor
    Award Winning Author, Empowerment speaker, and cultural storyteller

Black On Screen: A Global Dialogue

  • Osas Ighodaro
    Actress, Producer & Humanitarian
  • OZI MENAKAYA
    Global Television Agent, CAA
  • Phylicia Pearl Mpasi
    Actress
  • Barkue Tubman Zawolo

Producer’s Lane: The Ins & Outs Of Production At Every Level

  • Olivia Charmaine Bernardez
    Co-Producer, Netflix Animation (Film)
  • CHERISSE MCKENZIE
    Executive in Charge of Production, SpringHill Company
  • Datari Turner
    Producer/President, Foxxhole Productions
  • Korin D. Williams
    Award-Winning Producer and the Chief Executive Officer of Kronicle Media

Fresh Faces of Black Hollywood

  • Da'Vinchi
    Actor
  • Laya DeLeon Hayes
    Actress
  • Zaria
    Actress, Writer & Director

Office Hours

  • Joshua Edwards
    Partner in the Entertainment & Sports Law Department at Fox Rothschild LLP
  • Pretty Vee
    If Not For My Girls S5 Cast Member Actress, Host
  • Robi Reed
    Emmy Award-Winning Casting Director
  • Korin D. Williams
    Award-Winning Producer and the Chief Executive Officer of Kronicle Media
  • Tiffany Yarde
    Director of Competitions & Partnerships, Roadmap Writers

Speed Mentors

  • Kara Barnett
    Senior Creative at APPLETV+
  • Olivia Charmaine Bernardez
    Development Executive & Producer
  • Cassandra Butcher
    Senior Marketing Executive
  • ASHLEY CALLOWAY
    Manager & Producer, ColorCreative
  • Kiana Chambers
    Creative Executive at Wondaland Pictures
  • Jax Clark
    VP of Development and Production at HOORAE Film & TV
  • Jerome Core
    Head of US and Worldwide DEIA Content at Amazon Studios and Prime Video
  • Rosalyn Douglass
    Senior Manager of Production At HBO/Max Original Series
  • Stephanie "NöNe" Dunivan
    VP, Video and Branded Content for Essence Ventures
  • Bree Frank
    Production Executive and Founder, Hue You Know
  • Noelle Green
    Sr. Physical Production Executive, Original Series at Netflix
  • Nazenet Habtezghi
    Oscar & NAACP Nominated Director
  • Jamie Hernandez
    Programs Manager, DEI Pipeline Programs at Warner Bros. Discovery
  • Tatiana Holifield
    Vice President, Social Content & Growth Marketing for SiriusXM + Pandora, and is the Founder/Head of Future Proof Media, LLC
  • Krystal C. Johnson
    Vice President of Business Affairs for Sony Pictures Television Studio
  • Shannan E. Johnson
    CEO, The Professional Pen Head of Scripted Development, CTRL LA
  • GISELLE JOHNSON-MORRIS
    Head of Film, BLACKMALED
  • Stacy Milner
    Founder & CEO Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program HBCU in LA Internship Program
  • Rose Catherine Pinkney
    Senior Vice President, Scripted Programming and Development at BET/BET+
  • God-Is Rivera
    Chief Content Office, Essence Ventures
  • DOMINIQUE TELSON
    Executive Producer
  • Ryan Watson
    Brand Director, Diet Coke® North America
  • Candice Wilson Cherry
    EVP, Head of Production and Talent Partnerships- Hartbeat
  • Tiffany Yarde
    Director of Competitions & Partnerships, Roadmap Writers

Office Hours - Bios

A former NYC District Attorney, Joshua decided to follow his passion for representing talent by moving to California and attending business school. After obtaining an MBA, Joshua took an entry level job in the mailroom of an agency before working his way up the ladder to talent agent and then eventually to talent manager before his return to the practice of law. His previous experience includes working at several notable companies such as The Firm, Overbrook Entertainment, Don Buchwald & Associates, Mosaic and MGMT Entertainment while working with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Britney Spears, Will Smith, Toccara, Ralph Macchio, Jennifer Connelly, Heather Graham, Cher, Richard Dreyfuss, David Duchovny, LisaRaye McCoy, Amin Joseph, Jeryl Prescott, Jason Weaver, Darius McCrary and Steven McQueen, to name a few.

Currently, Joshua Edwards is a Partner in the Entertainment & Sports Law Department at Fox Rothschild LLP where he continues to represent high-profile talent while providing strategic guidance on a wide range of film, television and production agreements to talent performers, independent producers and production companies. Combined with his previous experience as a talent representative, Joshua has significant experience at the negotiation table, complemented by a macro-level understanding of the film and television industry. This multifaceted experience enables highly effective negotiations and sophisticated dealmaking making Joshua one of the most sought after entertainment attorneys in Los Angeles.

Emmy Award-winning Casting Director, Robi Reed, possesses an eye for talent that has led her career to span over 30 plus years with more than 100 television & film credits, including School Daze, Girlfriends, A Different World, The Fighting Temptation, The Tuskegee Airmen, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The New Edition Story and The Best Man.

After 25 years of running her own company, Reed became an executive at BET Networks overseeing casting for Original Programming. Currently she is SVP of Talent & Casting at Paramount Global.

Reed is a proud Alumnae of Hampton University, a HBCU.

Korin D. Williams is an award-winning producer and the Chief Executive Officer of Kronicle Media, a production & literary management company which she co-founded in 2017 with Monique Nash. Kronicle Media’s mission is to produce content for and about women from diverse perspectives and champion inclusion and representation, both in front of and behind the camera.

Currently, Williams has a number of projects in various stages of development, including a drama series for Peacock, inspired by the founding of the iconic Black women’s magazine, Essence; a romantic comedy for Netflix, a series adaptation of the book, Shakespeare’s Conspirator, which centers on the life of Emilia Bassano Lanier, a biracial ingenue who many believe was the enigmatic “Dark Lady” in Shakespeare’s works, written by the legendary Tom Fontana & playwright Gabrielle Fulton-Ponder for Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios; and a family drama series inspired by the women behind the Bill Pickett Invitation Rodeo, a real-life all-Black rodeo.

Raised in Walt Whitman Public Housing by Bajan immigrants in Brooklyn, NY has inspired Tiffany Yarde to explore culturally diverse characters struggling with self-acceptance.

Tiffany wrote the culturally inclusive TV Movie Dress for Success which recently premiered on Tubi. She also co-wrote the short film Bon Voyage which premiered in NYC as part of the Women's Weekend Film Challenge.

Tiffany was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Creative Corridor Program, a transatlantic industry initiative with Independent Film Trust and Roadmap Writers. Tiffany Yarde graduated from Bryn Mawr College having obtained a B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. She is currently enrolled in David Lynch's MFA in Screenwriting at Maharishi International University and is slated to graduate in the summer of '25.

Speed Mentors - Bios

Kara Barnett is an award-winning Creative Director and documentary filmmaker with 10+ years of experience in broadcast television and tech entertainment. Kara has a track record for impactful content execution with expertise in unscripted development, branded marketing, social content production and strategy. She has worked for major television networks, digital platforms and global streamers such as Apple, Netflix and ViacomCBS.

Barnett has cast and produced eight seasons of America’s Next Top Model and created Promax-winning promotional campaigns for the BET Awards, Lena Waithe, Tracy Oliver and more. After transitioning from broadcast television to tech entertainment, Barnett took on the role of Creative Director at Netflix’s Strong Black Lead. During her tenure, she oversaw a variety of projects, including Jazmine Sullivan’s Unplugged session at Soho House, the makeover series, ‘Get You A Me’ hosted by Sylvia Obell and Scottie Beam, the relationship-focused series, ‘Love That For Us’, and the Webby award winning Black photography series called ‘Strong Black Lens’.

Barnett is currently a Senior Creative at Apple TV+, part of a team that creates static and video designs for various projects on the streaming platform. Some of these projects include the recently released films Flora and Son, The Family Plan starring Mark Wahlberg, and the new original series, The New Look, centered around Christian Dior.

Barnett passionately helms her boutique production agency, Legacy Work LLC. She is committed to creating films that highlight important issues, such as the high mortality rates of Black women during childbirth and the mental health challenges faced by both Black men and women in their family journey. In 2021, she released the documentary "High Risk," which focused on these issues. Currently, Barnett is in pre-production for her next documentary film, but she also takes the time to work with clients and diverse creators to develop and strategize their digital content.

Barnett maintains that her creative North Star is always focused on producing fresh, relevant content that is responsive to the viewership that drives culture and conversation.

After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production from the prestigious New York University, Olivia Charmaine (Morris) Bernardez strategically shaped the entertainment industry as a Development Executive and Executive Producer at TBS, Simpson Street, NBC, her production company Black Monarch Entertainment and beyond. She is currently producing animated feature films under an exclusive Netflix development deal. Her mission is clear: to make global media both empowering and entertaining while championing diversity in storytelling.

Cassandra is a senior-level entertainment executive with two decades of publicity, marketing, and awards strategy experience. Her most recent position was in tech as she was the Head of Talent Relations and Awards at Audible Studios, where she was responsible for developing strategic plans to bring new talent to the audio-first platform Audible for Audible Originals. Before her time at Audible, she served as Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Creative Director at Bron Studios, where she developed and implemented global publicity, promotional, digital, and media strategies for all films and content for the Company. Additionally, she oversees the marketing and production teams responsible for content strategy, research, social media, promotions, media partnerships, experiential marketing, and emerging technology. She previously worked for over a decade as Vice President of National Publicity at Fox Searchlight, where she developed and implemented publicity and promotional plans for their slate of films, including many awards contenders. During her tenure at Fox Searchlight, she worked with some of the most respected directors, including George Tillman (The Hate You Give), Steve McQueen (Widows; 12 Years a Slave), and Simon Curtis (Goodbye Christopher Robin), as well as many others. She also had an excellent track record working on numerous Awards campaigns, including The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, 12 Years a Slave, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Crazy Heart. Cassandra has been at the forefront of inclusion initiatives and worked with many social media influencers, outlets, festivals, and organizations, including the Congressional Black Caucus, US Conference of Mayors, Essence Festival, NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists), National Urban League, Tyler Perry, TD Jakes, and Michelle Obama. Before working at Fox Searchlight, Cassandra worked as a unit publicist during production and as a publicity consultant for multiple studios, including Fox, Lionsgate, Screen Gems, and Paramount Pictures. Cassandra is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Publicists Guild.

Ashley Calloway is a Manager and Producer at ColorCreative where she represents Actors, Showrunners, Writers, Producers and Directors who represent diverse backgrounds and embody new and unique experiences. Investing in meaningful client partnerships is an essential part of her mission and work as a manager - Ashley works closely with her clients to build and develop their business strategy and brand. Clients include Syreeta Singleton (Showrunner), Lawrence Lamont (Director), Mike Merrill (Actor) and more.

A graduate of Spelman College, Ashley is an experienced professional who has worked in Television (Scripted/Unscripted), Talent (Film/TV), Brand Partnerships and Sales at Creative Artists Agency, Studio71, Google and Delta Airlines. Driven by her love and passion for art and creativity, Ashley is dedicated to advocating for artists and fighting for true diversity and inclusivity within the industry.

Kiana currently serves as a Creative Executive at Janelle Monae’s Wondaland Pictures, utilizing her extensive background in film, television, and marketing degree from Howard University to spotlight radical and rebellious stories rich in cultural nuances that appeal universally. Kiana is fortunate to work for a company whose mission is to create content that both humanizes and centers WOMEN, LGBTQIA+ and PEOPLE OF COLOR.

Before Kiana’s tenure at Wondaland, she was the assistant to Director and Executive Producer Melina Matsoukas. Under Matsoukas she aided in the debut feature film QUEEN AND SLIM as well as the production of HBO’s INSECURE. Kiana also served as the Executive Assistant to the Head of Content at HBO Max. A role in which she championed diverse projects and storytellers, advocating for inclusivity within the studio system.

Kiana is committed to content that centers black, brown, and queer communities, in premium storytelling across genres. She is particularly drawn to the innovative exploration of blending elements of comedy, sci-fi, mystery, noir, and thrillers to craft stories that explore culture in fresh and exciting ways. Kiana is passionate about crafting bold and revolutionary tales with women of color, ensuring that every stage of production is an opportunity for creatives to receive the necessary support to amplify their art and stories.

Candice Wilson Cherry is a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, currently serving as Head of Production and Talent Partnerships at Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat, where she leads the discovery of bold and original stories, emerging talent, and strategic production partnerships. Wilson Cherry previously served as Head of Film at Hartbeat and prior to that, VP of Acquisitions & Development at Lionsgate’s Codeblack Films, where she oversaw the company’s entire development and acquisitions slate. She brings her extensive knowledge of script development, physical production, post-production, and distribution to Hartbeat’s most influential projects, most recently overseeing production on Hart to Heart and Die Hart, starring Kevin Hart, John Travolta, and Nathalie Emmanuel, as well as one of Netflix’s top ranking comedy specials of 2020, Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given. She also co-founded and oversees Women Write Now — a first-of-its-kind screenwriting fellowship developed by Hartbeat in partnership with the Sundance Institute to champion the next generation of black women in comedy through mentorship, advocacy, production, and exhibition.

Jax Clark is the VP of Development and Production at HOORAE Film & TV. After receiving her BA from Harvard in 2015, Jax started her career in entertainment at United Talent Agency, followed by ColorForce and then New Regency. With experience across film and tv, she joined HOORAE in 2019, working on Insecure Seasons 4 & 5 before being elevated to Creative Executive and later Director of Development. New York-born and Atlanta-bred, Jax is passionate about building community and fostering creative connection through storytelling.

Jerome Core is the Head of US and Worldwide DEIA Content at Amazon Studios and Prime Video. He helps create industry-leading content that is inherently inclusive, and ensures production sets look like the world we live in today. Jerome works to amplify the voices of historically excluded communities across gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disabilities with the goal of creating more opportunities for underrepresented talent and driving transformational change across the business.

In the past year, Jerome led the expansion of inclusive content consultations across all Prime Video domains, including Freevee and Sports Originals. His team worked with over 160 projects across development and production to increase diversity in front of and behind the camera and promote authentic storytelling. Jerome has brought on key partners including GLAAD, IllumiNative, Lead On ADA, Define American, Goldhouse, RespectAbility and CAPE to consult on content and ensure lived experience is represented in production.

Jerome also oversees Amazon Studios’ industry, pathway and student programs to =create opportunities historically excluded communities in the TV and film industry. In the last year, he launched the inaugural Illuminative Episodic Directors program, which paired four emerging Indigenous directors with episodic directors on Outer Range S2. His efforts continued as he helped launch the inaugural LALIFF Works In Progress Finishing Fund program for US Latino filmmakers to complete their narrative or documentary features. Additionally, Jerome worked with the Deaf Talent Creative lab to provide Deaf People of Color skills to succeed in the industry, and he has built mental health counseling and accessibility coordinator pilot programs for Studios’ productions.

In his free time, he volunteers for Meals on Wheels and is the founder and former Chair of Amazon’s Black Employee Network’s Los Angeles Chapter. Additionally, Jerome serves on the Board of Easterseals and is a judge for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. Jerome is native to the Los Angeles area, growing up in Compton, CA.

Rosalyn Douglass is a Sr. Manager of Production at Warner Bros. Discovery, responsible for reinforcing the physical production process on a range of HBO and Max series and limited series, including INSECURE, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, THE LAST OF US and A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW. Prior to joining HBO in 2015, Rosalyn supported teams in the production, development and finance departments at companies such as Tyler Perry Studios, 34th Street Films, Annapurna Pictures and Studio 8.

In an effort to remain active outside of her corporate role, Rosalyn has produced several short films and web series. In addition, for several years, she served as the president of Colour Associates, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides networking opportunities for assistants and coordinators of color in the entertainment industry. She is currently the chair of the Culver City branch of W.O.W., a business resource group for women employed at Warner Bros. Discovery. Rosalyn is an alumna of Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Theater. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Stephanie "NöNe" Dunivan is an energetic Essence on-air personality who has years of experience under her belt, from being an official host on the Red Carpet for BET’s Black Girls Rock to interviewing the biggest stars in Hollywood for Essence such as Angela Bassett, Tracee Ellis Ross, Mary J Blige and many more. She has delivered words of inspiration as a panelist at this past year’s Essence Hollywood House and hosted a talk on physical health at this year’s Wellness House at Essence Festival of Culture. She was recently featured on GMA3 to talk about the return of the Festival to New Orleans. Not only is she the VP of Video and Branded Content at Essence, she is also the host of Shop Essence Live, a weekly live shopping show on Essence.com & Pinterest dedicated to Black owned brands and their stories which was an answer to many small businesses going under due to the pandemic. Additionally, she is a wife and mom of 2, a professional singer and the co-host of Best Friends with Benefits Podcast.

As an accomplished Television Executive, and advocate for people of color in media, Bree is passionate about creating opportunities for professionals of all backgrounds. With over 20+ years of professional production experience, she has produced over 300 hours of unscripted television, including MTV's Room Raiders, TLC's A Makeover Story, and the award-winning television format Wife Swap. She has also contributed to a number of series during a 10-year run in Production Management for ZodiakMedia's New York office. In 2018, Bree took a leap of faith and moved her family to Los Angeles, CA to begin a new chapter of life. She quickly landed at Matador Content and served as the Executive in Charge of Production, where she managed a robust development slate as well as projects for Disney+, Apple TV+, Crackle, and Showtime. Recently, Bree was at Hello Sunshine (Reese Witherspoon's media company), as their Senior Vice President of Physical Production for Unscripted where she was tapped four years ago to build out physical production services. Bree has served as an executive on Hulu's Fairplay, Roku's Meet Me in Paris, and Apple's My Kind of Country as well as a healthy slate of brand funded projects. In 2023, Bree was the recipient of RealScreens Inaugural Action Award. Bree's passion is to tell exceptional stories and move the television zeitgeist forward while championing diversity, equity, inclusion and access.

Noelle Green is a Sr. Physical Production Executive on the Original Series team at Netflix. She joined the team in December 2021 after being a film production executive on the Netflix Original Film team for 5 years. She worked on films such as The Mother, Extraction 1 & 2, Da 5 Bloods, The Irishman, Bird Box, Ma Rainey’s Blackbottom, The White Tiger and more. She’s currently working on the Shondaland production The Residence and Pete Berg’s series titled American Primeval. She’s an advocate for inclusion and is one of the founders of the current Netflix/Shondaland Producers Inclusion Initiative which is a program designed to place more under represented people in the Line Producer seat. Prior to Netflix, Noelle was a VP in Physical Production at Legendary Pictures and oversaw such projects as Kong: Skull Island, Krampus and early prep on Pacific Rim: Uprising. Noelle worked the majority of her career in freelance as a Production Supervisor or Production Coordinator (42, Need For Speed, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man 2, Cowboys & Aliens Memoirs of a Geisha, Spiderman 3, Almost Famous, Legally Blonde, The Terminal).

Nazenet Habtezghi (she/her) is a journalist-turned-filmmaker who crafts compelling and thought provoking nonfiction stories. In 2023, she directed Birthing A Nation: The Resistance of Mary Gaffney (Paramount+), a harrowing and beautiful short film that uncovers the story of forced reproduction in the antebellum South and reveals the agency of Mary Gaffney – an enslaved woman who took control of her body and fertility. The film was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and Black Reel Award. She also co-directed the Academy-Award nominated short The ABCs of Book Banning (Paramount+) with documentary legend Sheila Nevins. She’s currently directing/producing American Problems, Trans Solutions (WNET) for TransLash Media, a Black trans-led nonprofit news organization, founded by journalist Imara Jones. The docuseries tells the story of three Black trans community leaders advocating on the frontlines for affordable housing, economic opportunity and support for queer migrants. As a television producer, Nazenet has contributed to numerous highly acclaimed documentaries for Netflix, HBO and PBS. Prior to working in documentary film, she was an editor at Essence Magazine, the premier magazine for African-American women, where she covered a range of topics, from entertainment to social issues. She also launched the publication’s multimedia platform with an interactive web series and executive produced a subsequent TV One special. Based in Brooklyn, she received her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma.

Jamie Hernandez’s passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, plus her background in production management, led her to the role of Programs Manager, DEI Pipeline Programs at Warner Bros. Discovery. She is super excited to be a part of this extraordinary team, working on the forefront of diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry. In addition to her role in DEI, she also serves as a Board Member for WAVE (Warner Asian Voices Elevated), one of the company’s Business Resource Groups.

Prior to Warner Bros. Discovery, Jamie was at NBCUniversal where she worked in Production & Operations for the Entertainment Content Group. Jamie was part of the team that oversaw all aspects of production management for the networks’ original series & specials, working on some of the buzziest hits including “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”, “Real Housewives of Orange County” and “Real Housewives of New York City”. Jamie started her career donning a polyester uniform as an NBC Page and also served as the Global Advisory Committee Co-Lead for Asian Pacific Americans@NBCUniversal Employee Resource Group, working with the D&I team to implement and execute initiatives and strategies.

In May 2021, Jamie was honored with the Woman of Diversity Award by Comerica Bank and The Los Angeles Lakers (her favorite team). Fun fact: she finds it hard to resist any treats containing ube (purple yam) and enjoys jamming out to BTS.

With over 15 years of marketing experience within the media & entertainment, sports, and technology industries, Tatiana Holifield-Arthur helped the world’s most influential brands thrive in an evolving economy through digital disruption. Throughout her career, Holifield has launched high profile campaigns, scaled global marketing divisions, drove performance of building new audiences, and generated billions of earned and owned revenues. Holifield currently serves as Vice President, Social Content & Growth Marketing for SiriusXM + Pandora, and is the Founder/Head of Future Proof Media, LLC. At SiriusXM and Pandora, she is responsible for reshaping the future of audio by leading a large, high-performing team that drives middle funnel growth via content marketing and paid media. Prior to her current endeavors, Holifield was Head of Brand Social for Hulu/Disney Streaming where she led the streaming giant’s social media accounts to drive earned media and brand awareness. She also served as Vice President/Head of Digital Strategy for Pacers Sports & Entertainment where she was one of the Pacers’ highest-ranking women in leadership. Holifield’s impressive career history also includes leading marketing teams for Viacom’s BET Networks, NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution, SportsNet New York, Gospel Music Channel, Disney Regional Entertainment’s ESPN Zone, Hampton Inn Hotel, Hard Rock Café and Taco Bell. Holifield was selected into NAMIC’s prestigious Executive Leadership Development at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. She received her MBA from Metropolitan College of New York and undergraduate degree from Columbia College Chicago. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling the world with her husband and fur-baby, Gizmo.

Krystal C. Johnson is an entertainment attorney and television executive with over a decade of experience in collaborating with creatives to execute their goals and vision. A proud HBCU grad, Krystal started her own law practice in NYC after graduating from N.C. Central School of Law with a joint JD/MBA degree. As a solo practitioner, she built a clientele of creatives and entrepreneurs, providing counsel on transactional and intellectual property matters. Her pragmatic style and solution oriented approach drew the attention of tastemakers and brands alike, as new media platforms and influencer marketing began to rise. Representing influencers and brands, Krystal negotiated and executed campaigns for the likes of Dove, the National Basketball Players’ Association, Walt Disney/Marvel, Sephora, and Shea Moisture- to name a few. This work, along with her growing business, ultimately led to Krystal relocating to Los Angeles. Once in Hollywood, Krystal set her sights on television; joining Discovery Network’s in-house studio in a business and legal affairs capacity. There she gained experience in unscripted television on shows such as "The Little Couple" and "Seeking Sister Wife." Next she turned her focus to scripted television, joining the WarnerMedia (now Warner Brothers Discovery) Business Affairs team, with HBO, Max, and TBS as her primary clients. While on this post she handled business affairs matters for a number of development projects and series- including "The Last OG" and "And Just Like That." Currently, she's a Vice President of Business Affairs for Sony Pictures Television Studio. There she negotiates above-the-line deals and advises on production matters for development and current productions. In her free time she enjoys traveling, creating floral arrangements, and spending time with her loved ones.

Shannan E. Johnson is a former TV executive at The Syfy Channel turned CEO + Head Consultant of the first black-owned script consultancy, The Professional Pen. But that's not where her story began.

If YOLO was a person, it’d be Shannan, native of Houston, Tex., and professional quitter. Because Shannan believes that waking up every day with breath in our bodies is an opportunity to do something different, she does.

Before attending film school, Shannan was a College Academic Advisor and the Executive Director of a non-profit for teen girls. She left that behind to chase her reality of working in Hollywood. She slept on couches and floors while she interned and PA’d to learn the ropes before pursuing her MFA in Film, which led her to become a creative executive in development and current programming through the NBCUniversal Entertainment Associates Program. It was there that she honed her skill to guide creatives from pitch to production on Alphas, Being Human, Haven, Sanctuary, and Warehouse 13.

In 2010, Shannan quit her executive job to join the circus. Well, actually to travel to 48 states and more than 19 countries on Broadway National Tours and in dance companies. Credits: (1st National Tours) Amazing Grace; Ghost the Musical; (Regional) Dreamgirls, Sister Act, How to Quit Your Day Job; (Dance Companies) Step Afrika!, Sole Defined.

In 2018, Shannan returned to Los Angeles with every intention of being a creative executive. But because Hollywood is the largest gated community in the world, she was now on the outside of the gate. So when doors didn't open, Shannan went in through the ceiling and opened the first black-owned script consultancy in the entertainment industry.

The Professional Pen develops screenwriters from idea to pitch to build more confident storytellers and prepare them for professional screenwriting careers. As a storytelling expert, Shannan also uses her story as a quitter to inspire students with big dreams in her College Speaker Series.

Giselle is currently the Head of Film at BLACKMALED, Malcolm D. Lee's production banner that is most known for THE BEST MAN Franchise, SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY and GIRLS TRIP.

She most recently served as a development and production executive at the Sony Pictures label - Screen Gems, where she helped oversee the latest horror release THE POPE'S EXORCIST directed by Julius Avery, starring Russell Crowe as well as upcoming horror release, TRUE HAUNTING starring Jamie Campbell Bower and Erin Moriarty. She was also instrumental in ushering in a new wave of comedy and romance development projects for the studio, one of which stars Academy Award winner, Ariana Debose.

Prior to joining Screen Gems, she held positions at Netflix on the Original Studio Film team, where she worked on such films as SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL, DA 5 BLOODS, THE HARDER THEY FALL, and THE CURSE OF BRIDGE HOLLOW.

She began her career at VICE Studios where she assisted on Scott Z. Burns’s directorial debut THE REPORT starring Adam Driver and Annette Bening. She is a Howard University School of Communications’ graduate.

Stacy Milner is an entertainment industry veteran who began her career working as the executive assistant to the chairmen of NBC and Paramount Pictures. She is the Founder and CEO of Executive Temps, a premiere employment agency that has exclusively served the entertainment industry for over 30 years. Her latest venture, the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP), is designed to meet the industry’s need and desire to educate, recruit and develop a culturally and ethnically diverse workforce. This innovative pipeline development program brings some of the world’s leading media, entertainment and communications companies to the campuses of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and other minority serving institutions across the country with the goal of equipping students with the tools needed to successfully navigate careers across all aspects of the entertainment industry. Stacy Milner is a passionate supporter of diversity and inclusion with a strong desire to educate and develop future industry leaders, Stacy devotes her time to training college students, recent graduates and new industry hopefuls on how to successfully enter and thrive inside of what she calls Hollywood’s coveted inner circle. Her passion for training and equipping the next generation is the driving force behind EICOP and its internship program, HBCU in LA. This innovative educational arts workforce development program gives HBCU students and other underrepresented talent the opportunity to gain hands-on real-world work experience working with some of the industry’s top entertainment organizations. Stacy has been recognized and honored among some of Hollywood’s most influential women for this important work by being selected as one of Variety’s 2021 Women of Impact honorees.

Stacy is a visionary, entrepreneur and highly sought-after speaker, career strategist and diversity and inclusion leader in the entertainment and staffing industries.

Rose Catherine Pinkney is a versatile creative executive who has been both a buyer and a seller having worked for networks, studios, and independent production companies. In addition, she has developed and covered content in the scripted and unscripted arenas, as well as movies.

Rose Catherine is currently the Senior Vice President, Scripted Programming and Development at BET/BET+. As head of development and current for the Original Programming Scripted Department, she is charged with developing and overseeing scripted content for the premium streamer, BET+. During her tenure, the network saw its first national reviews for the darkly comedic drama Average Joe starring Deon Cole and its first primetime Emmy nominations for The Ms. Pat Show. Rose Catherine and her team have developed/and or covered a multitude of new projects and returning shows including the Kingdom Business, First Wives Club, Family Business, Black Hamptons, Bigger, Twenties, Real Husbands of Hollywood, The New Edition Story Miniseries, Being Mary Jane and The Comedy Get Down. Pinkney also served as the EVP, Programming & Production at then-nascent TV One. As such, she was charged with formulating the programming philosophy, defining the network's brand, and making all programming decisions. Rose Catherine greenlit TV One's enduring signature series, Unsung, leading the network to nab its first set of NAACP Image Awards. Prior to TV One, Rose Catherine served as SVP & Head of Comedy Development at Paramount Network Television where she managed an A-list roster of overall deals and sold projects across the networks. Stints at TV Land, ABC Network, Laurence Fishburne's Cinema Gypsy Productions, Uptown Entertainment, Twentieth Fox Television and CAA round out her career. Beyond TV, Rose Catherine developed, and co-produced the popular romantic comedy feature Def Jam's How To Be A Player released by Island Pictures/Polygram as well as the Wedding Planner Mystery movie for Hallmark.

Committed to giving back, Rose Catherine serves on the boards of several nonprofits, as a mentor with several organizations and last year she taught a graduate class in the highly coveted Producer’s Program at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television. Highly regarded by her peers, this Princeton University graduate and UCLA Anderson School of Management, MBA is known for her creative abilities, leadership skills and business acumen.

Throughout her trailblazing career as a marketing and strategy expert, God-is has served as a marketing executive at Twitter for over 4 years culminating in 2022, where she drove strategy to make sure that campaigns and programs were connective, inclusive and reflective of the diverse communities Twitter served. Prior to joining Twitter in 2018, God-is was Director, Inclusion & Cultural Resonance for VMLY&R. Earlier, she held lead channel strategy roles at VMLY&R, global agency iCrossing, and Austin-based T3.

God-is has been profiled in digital trade publications Adweek, Ad Age, Marie Claire, Forbes, Digiday, Fortune, Campaign US, and The Drum. She was named an Ad Age “Woman to Watch” and Adweek “Disruptor”, listed as #28 on the Root 100 Most Influential African-Americans list, BET’s Top 100 Most Innovative and Influential Business Executives, and by Fortune Magazine on their esteemed 40 Under 40 list of influential people, and in 2023 she was recognized by ColorComm as one of the most influential 28 Black Women in Communications. Also in 2023 she was also recognized by her hometown, the Bronx Tourism Council, and was inducted in the Bronx Walk of Fame for excellence in the field of marketing. In November of 2023 God-is also was chosen to be inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s esteemed AAF Hall of Achievement Class of 2023, a prestigious honor representing an impactful and innovative career in marketing, advertising, and/or media.

In October of 2022 God-is joined The Walt Disney Co. as their first VP, Inclusive Marketing across all Disney streaming platforms. In June of 2023, God-is joined Essence Ventures as their first-ever Chief Content Officer. Leading content strategy and connection with intersectional global audiences across all Essence Ventures brands including; ESSENCE Communications Inc, AFROPUNK, Beautycon and ESSENCE

Dominique Telson is a multiple Emmy nominated producer and Executive Producer of both feature films and television series. In February of 2023 Ms. Telson became the Executive Vice President of Malcolm Lee’s Blackmaled productions where she will lead the company in developing feature films and television series under the company’s three year deal with NBC Universal. In 2022, Dominique Executive Produced alongside creator Malcolm D. Lee and showrunner Dayna Lynne North, The Best Man, The Final Chapters. The eight-episode series is based on the popular films and stars the original cast, Regina Hall, Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Terrence Howard and Melissa DeSousa all reprising their roles. The much-anticipated series premiered on Peacock on December 22,2022 and shattered all existing records for the network. The result, a three -year first look deal with NBC Universal Productions to create on multiple platforms for the studio including feature films, series and unscripted programming. Prior to joining The Best Man series, Ms. Telson produced Sarah Elizabeth Mintz’ film, Good Girl Jane, starring Andie MacDowell which premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and won the coveted award for best feature and the best actor award for it’s lead, actress, Rain Spencer. Prior to that, Ms. Telson produced Aml Ameen’s Boxing Day starring Aja Naomi King, Marianne Jean Baptiste and Little Mix’ Leigh Ann Pinnock. The holiday film was released theatrically in the UK through Warner Brothers and released domestically on Amazon Prime.

Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Ryan pursued her undergraduate studies at Purdue University in Industrial Engineering before obtaining an MBA from Indiana University. As a daughter, sister and devoted friend, she cherishes meaningful connections and thrive on the excitement of international travel. Driven by her faith as a follower of Christ, she wholeheartedly embraces opportunities to serve others. Whether through mentoring, her roles as a Deacon and Missionary, or simply extending a helping hand, Ryan's passion lies in making a positive impact. Outside of her dedication to service, she finds solace in the creative realm. Artistry is where her imaginative spirit is cultivates. Professionally, Ryan leads as the Brand Director for Diet Coke, blending creativity and strategy in the vibrant city of Atlanta.

Raised in Walt Whitman Public Housing by Bajan immigrants in Brooklyn, NY has inspired Tiffany Yarde to explore culturally diverse characters struggling with self-acceptance.

Tiffany wrote the culturally inclusive TV Movie Dress for Success which recently premiered on Tubi. She also co-wrote the short film Bon Voyage which premiered in NYC as part of the Women's Weekend Film Challenge.

Tiffany was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Creative Corridor Program, a transatlantic industry initiative with Independent Film Trust and Roadmap Writers. Tiffany Yarde graduated from Bryn Mawr College having obtained a B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. She is currently enrolled in David Lynch's MFA in Screenwriting at Maharishi International University and is slated to graduate in the summer of '25.

experiences

Prior registration for ESSENCE Hollywood House is required before accessing Office Hours and Speed Mentoring sessions. We look forward to your participation.

  • PANELS

    Get ready to take notes and ask questions during these insightful conversations where you'll hear some of your faves from behind the scenes and in front of the camera share their experiences, advice, and unfiltered perspectives.

  • OFFICE HOURS

    Zone in on your craft during these intimate workshops designed to help you take your specific creative skillset to the next level.

  • SPEED MENTORING

    Come learn from the best through brief one-on-one mentoring sessions where you’ll connect directly with key industry players who are where you want to be.

  • ACTIVITIES

    Enhance your Hollywood House experience! Stop by to check out a handful of fun, engaging activations designed with you in mind!

FAQ

Hollywood House is an event open to emerging and established individuals within the TV and movie industries, including creators, actors, directors, producers, visual storytellers, agents and behind the scenes professionals. It is a safe space for insightful conversations and networking.

Prohibited Items include:

  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Animals (except service animals)
  • Backpacks, Bags or Purses larger than 10 x 10 x 16
  • Balls, Frisbees, or other projectiles
  • Bicycles, scooters, skateboards or skates
  • Firearms, knives, no weapons of any kind, or other items considered dangerous by security or law enforcement personnel (ex: pepper spray, tasers, stun guns, brass knuckles, handcuffs, etc.)
  • Fireworks or other incendiary or flammable devices
  • Food and Beverages (except those sold by event vendors)
  • Glass bottles or containers
  • Ice chests and coolers of any size
  • Drugs, drug paraphernalia, or illegal substances
  • Laser Lights/ Pointers
  • Smoking or the use of E-cigarettes, sticks or poles
  • Unauthorized literature or promotional giveaways, soliciting, or unlicensed vending of any kind. Any items deemed unsafe or a potential annoyance to staff or guests

Unauthorized professional filming or photography is prohibited during the event.

Hollywood House is free to the public. Registration is required but there is no guaranteed admission to the event. Space is limited and registrants will be admitted on a first come-first served basis. There is no re-entry.

Hollywood House is open to attendees of all ages however, we will be diving into mature topics. Individuals younger than 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. A valid ID is required upon entry.

No outside food or drinks are allowed into the Hollywood House venue.

There is no required dress code for Hollywood House. Please dress to ensure your comfort.

Check back here soon for announcements.

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