Her Voice: Charlayne Hunter Gault

Art Imitates Life: Barbara Brandon Croft

See It, Be It: Yvette Lee Bowser

Bio:

Alberta Charlayne Hunter-Gault is an American civil rights activist, journalist and former foreign correspondent for National Public Radio, CNN, and the Public Broadcasting Service. Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes were the first African-American students to attend the University of Georgia.

Synopsis

Under a tight deadline, journalism student Gwendolyn struggles to choose a historical figure as the focus of a high school homework assignment. When her grandmother steps in to help, Gwendolyn takes an unexpected journey through history to meet civil rights activist and renowned journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault, the first Black female student to desegregate the University of Georgia in 1961. As Gwendolyn learns about the adversities that Charlayne overcame, she discovers her own family legacy at the University of Georgia and embraces her responsibility to continue the fight for equality.

Cast and Crew for Her Voice

Co-Director: Sunnye C. Durham

Sunnye C Durham has directed and produced award-winning films in both the narrative and documentary categories, including Her Voice: Charlayne Hunter Gault. Her other films have been featured at Chicago’s Black Harvest Film Festival, appeared on HBO, and streamed on festival online platforms. Her films push the boundaries of the faith-based genre and explore the nuances of how spiritual tension between good and evil manifests in our lives. Additionally, her roots in journalism inspire her to tell stories about the intersection of faith, individualism, and community. Sunnye is originally from Merrillville, Indiana, and holds an MFA from Columbia College Chicago.

Co-Director: Carletta S. Hurt

Co-Director: Sunnye C. Durham

Dr. Carletta S. Hurt is an award-winning producer/director who found her love for filmmaking in-between graduate classes. With over two dozen films under her belt, Hurt started as Casting PA in Remember the Titans and land her first on-screen credit with The Fighting Temptations. Her most recent film credits include Lee and Liza’s Family Tree (PBS/NOVA), Forgetting with Victoria Rowell, and Blackjack Christmas starring Dawnn Lewis. Hurt is committed to stories that amplify the experiences and voices of Black girls and women. The Route Series is part of that commitment. A Georgia native, she makes a mean sweet potato pie.

DP - Kalen Cheng

Co-Director: Sunnye C. Durham

Maya - Monanik "Moe" Dugar

Coming Soon!

Maya - Monanik "Moe" Dugar

Monanik "Moe" Dugar is a Rising Star and native of Baltimore, MD. From a young age, she knew she loved acting and the feeling it gave her. She has quickly started to gain traction within the Entertainment industry. Monanik has appeared in many TV/Film & Commercial projects such as American Detective (Investigation Discovery, Fatal Attraction (TV One), Christmas in the Friendly Skies (Apple TV) & Train of Thought (Award-winning Short Film), to name a few. Her work can be found on Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi & more! She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and honing her craft when she's not performing.

Toni - Mia Robinson

Maya - Monanik "Moe" Dugar

Gwendolyn - Jazmyn Ja'Net

Mia Robinson is a Baltimore, Maryland native who has performed in community theater & has transitioned into short films. She is excited to be part of Her Voice: Charlayne Hunter-Gault. Her favorite theater roles include ALLISON in Fabulation (Arena Players) & DR. LORNA JAMES in The Effect (Fells Point Corner Theater). Her favorite short film roles have been as TONI in Her Voice: Charlayne Hunter-Gault & as CELESTE in In Between The Spells. Mia is also a voiceover actor & singer. Mia earned a certificate in Performing Arts Industry Essentials from NYU/TISCH. She earned a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Morgan State University, a M.S. in Engineering Management from The George Washington University, & a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Policy from The University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Gwendolyn - Jazmyn Ja'Net

Maya - Monanik "Moe" Dugar

Gwendolyn - Jazmyn Ja'Net

Coming Soon!

Art Imitates Life: Barbara Brandon Croft

Bio

Barbara Brandon-Croft is an American cartoonist, best known for creating the comic strip Where I'm Coming From, and for being the first nationally syndicated African-American female cartoonist.

Synopsis

Liz is tired of pouring her heart and soul into her comedy and writing yet getting nothing but rejections. She’s nearly 40, and it’s time, she thinks, to get a job with some security. But during a stroll through a bookstore with her sister-friend Jackie, she stumbles upon a book by groundbreaking cartoonist Barbara Brandon-Croft. Flipping through the pages, she finds the motivation she needs to keep going.

Cast and Crew for Art Imitates Life

Dircelene “Sissi” Torres

Dircelene “Sissi” Torres is an award-winning filmmaker from Washington, D.C.

A graduate of Tisch’s film and television program, Dircelene’s thesis film, Mali’s Tribute, won the lead actress craft award at NYU’s First Run Film Festival. Upon graduating, she freelanced as a producer, as well as in art and costume departments, while continuing to hone her directing skills.

Notable credits include producing Student Academy Award winner Opera of Cruelty (dir. Max R.A. Fedore), costume designing Prelude (dir. Tsubasa Matsumoto), which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, and costume designing The Subject (dir. Lanie Zipoy) starring Jason Biggs and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

DP - Alice Boucherie

Dircelene “Sissi” Torres

Coming Soon!

AD - Jose

Dircelene “Sissi” Torres

Lisa - Crystal Coates

Jose Reyes is a filmmaker, photographer and an International Baccalaureate filmmaking teacher in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Currently teaching at District of Columbia International School, he focused on telling underrepresented stories.

Lisa - Crystal Coates

Barista - Sahari Kariem

Lisa - Crystal Coates

Crystal Coates is a DMV-based actress and voiceover artist with five years of experience in the entertainment industry. She has appeared in 19 films and 8 commercials, showcasing her versatility and professionalism on set. Passionate about collaboration and community, Crystal is also the founder of Actors Society DMV, a growing network on Instagram for local actors and creatives to connect, learn, and grow together.

Jackie - Alicia Watson

Barista - Sahari Kariem

Alicia Watson started acting in the sixth grade and fell in love with performing. She continued through college, participating in various productions and improvisational troupes. She recently returned to the craft of acting after a decade-long break and has continued her training at McKinnon Acting Studio.

A passionate storyteller and a multi-passionate creative, Alicia draws on her gifts of creativity, empathy and authenticity to connect people. She owns and operates Ali Watson Media providing brand strategy, photography, videography and websites for small businesses. She holds a B.A. degree in Communication & Media Studies and in Sociology from University of Michigan.

Barista - Sahari Kariem

Sahar Kariem is a New York City–based actor and model, proudly wearing the hijab both on and off screen. Originally from California, she discovered her passion for performance at a young age, beginning with elementary school theater. Since then, she has appeared in numerous short films, commercials, and advertising campaigns.

Sahar holds a Bachelor's degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she minored in Film and Media Studies. She is drawn to roles that champion authentic representation and aim to expand visibility for people who share her background and identity.

Cast and Crew for See It, Be It

Co-Director: Cameron Joy Gray

Cameron Joy Gray is a documentary and narrative filmmaker from Washington, DC, with an MFA in Film from Temple University, and BFA in Film from Syracuse University. Cameron is dedicated to telling and highlighting stories that uplift diasporic peoples and promote cultural understanding. Her films have screened at places like the March On Film Festival and the Syracuse International Film Festival, concentrating on topics such as racial identity, personal histories, and language. With a passion for combining both entertainment and critical thought, Cameron hopes to create a more accessible and energetic future for filmmaking.

Co-Director: Carletta S. Hurt

Co-Director: Cameron Joy Gray

DP: Myah Stokes

Co-Director: Cameron Joy Gray

Erika - Paris Henderson

Myah is a Baltimore born and raised cinematographer, educator, and creative whose works have been featured in Baltimore Magazine, the LED Baltimore Billboard, and Artscape. Likewise, she is an award winning cinematographer. Myah’s films have screened at festivals in Trenton, Chicago, Los Angeles, El Paso, and Baltimore. She earned a degree in Electronic Media and Film from Towson University and now teaches at her alma mater, the Baltimore School for the Arts. With a strong background in narrative and documentary filmmaking, as well as athletic broadcasting, Myah is passionate about impactful storytelling.

Erika - Paris Henderson

Paris E. Henderson is a DC-area actor and storyteller appearing as Erika Alexander (“the Teacher”) in See It, Be It, a short film inspired by the legacy of Yvette Lee Bowser (Living Single). Paris embraces roles that push voice and perspective, and she’s drawn to projects that spotlight Black women with warmth and wit. Her stage background includes assistant directing a community production of Steel Magnolias in Purcellville, Virginia, and early ensemble work in faith-based theatre. See It, Be It is slated to premiere in 2025 (first screening expected November 2025). IG: @paris_is_studying.

Dana - Shakara Monique

Erika - Paris Henderson

Dana - Shakara Monique

Shakara Monique is your Friendly Neighborhood Entertainer—a magnetic actress, singer, and content creator lighting up every screen she graces. She’s known for bringing raw emotion and commanding presence to every role, including Lenora in Unbroken Faith, Kim in The Axe Game, Monique Colby in The Last Will and Testament of Byron Colby, and Trina in Accidental Encounters. She also appeared on the Netflix docuseries Voices of Fire. Whether in drama, faith-based film, or real-life storytelling, Shakara captivates with heart, soul, and undeniable star power.

Kim - Katie

Erika - Paris Henderson

Dana - Shakara Monique

Katie is an 18 year old actress, and this is her first short film. Originally from Maryland, she now lives in Georgia where she attends university, majoring in film and TV acting. When not acting, she’s reading, playing tennis, or watching a new movie. Her message is: “I am so grateful for this opportunity and love the celebration of black excellence!”

Her Voice: Charlayne Hunter Gault

Art Imitates Life: Barbara Brandon Croft

See It, Be It: Yvette Lee Bowser