2026 Panelist & Moderators

Percy Bell is a compelling and grounded actor known for his emotional range, authenticity, and commanding on-screen presence. He is also an up and coming narrator, with several works available on Audible. A native of Epps, Louisiana, Percy discovered his passion for storytelling after earning his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Nicholls State University, during which he also served as an athletic trainer for the New Orleans Saints. Though he began his professional career in sports medicine, his love for performance ultimately led him to pursue acting full-time.

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After relocating to Nashville, Percy immersed himself in acting classes and workshops, quickly gaining recognition for his talent and professionalism. His dedication paid off when he secured representation and began booking national commercials, print campaigns, and film roles.

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Percy’s star continues to rise with standout performances, including a series regular role as Duke in County Rescue, Great American Family’s first original TV series, notable appearances opposite Samuel L. Jackson in The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey on Apple TV+, and his most recent feature, Sinners—directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan—marks a major milestone in his career. He is recurring as fire fighter Watkins, in 9-1-1: Nashville.

Pastor Derrick L. Boseman is a respected pastor, author, mentor, and community leader whose work has impacted lives for more than three decades. Born in Anderson, South Carolina, to Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, he is the eldest brother of Chadwick Boseman and Kevin Boseman.

He is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Tribe of Judah Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where his ministry is recognized for authentic outreach, transformational teaching, and compassionate community engagement. Holding degrees in Theology and Biblical Studies from New Life Theological Seminary, Pastor Derrick has dedicated his life to mentoring emerging leaders while advocating for mental health awareness, educational access, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

Beyond ministry, Pastor Derrick has led numerous community initiatives focused on mentorship, violence prevention, leadership development, and restoration. Alongside his wife, Lady Trista Abraham-Boseman, he has helped create programs that empower youth and strengthen families throughout Middle Tennessee.

Today, Pastor Derrick serves as Principal and Co-Founder of Boseman Family LLC, a company centered on storytelling, cultural legacy, and community impact. He is also preparing for the release of his upcoming memoir, a deeply personal reflection on faith, resilience, brotherhood, and the life lessons shared with Chadwick throughout their journey together.

Kevin Boseman is a New York City-based theatre performer, choreographer and director. Classically trained in both dance and voice, he also studied acting at the esteemed Atlantic Acting School. He was most recently seen onstage in the seventh edition of 54/54/54 at the legendary 54 Below.  

Mr. Boseman began his professional career dancing soloist roles with the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company and dancing principal roles with the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He made his Broadway debut in the revival of Equus, and he has been featured in the Broadway National Tours of Disney’s The Lion King, Shrek The Musical, and The Color Purple among others. He has choregraphed and directed productions at South Coast Repertory Theatre, Barrington Stage Company, National Black Theatre, Ojai Playwrights Festival and Syracuse Stage.  

Mr. Boseman has served as guest lecturer in prominent university arts programs, including CalArts, Howard University and Purchase College. In November 2025, he launched Dark Mondays with Kevin Boseman, a weekly podcast that examines how theatre reflects the world around us. Dark Mondays can be found on Apple Podcast, iHeart Radio, Spotify and YouTube. Mr. Boseman most recently collaborated with Shakespeare’s Globe (UK) to present Deep Azure by Chadwick Boseman for their 2025-26 season.

As Principal and Co-Founder of Boseman Family LLC, Mr. Boseman helps lead the family’s creative and philanthropic initiatives across entertainment, publishing, education and community impact, with a focus on legacy-building, artistic excellence and cultural stewardship. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY where he is working on a memoir.  

An entertainment industry professional with over 29 years of experience across marketing, production, sales and branding, Brett Dismuke currently serves as General Manager of AMC Networks brands ALLBLK and WE TV. Prior to being appointed to this role in December 2020, Dismuke served as Chief Content Officer of ALLBLK where he oversaw content acquisition and development of original programming.

During his tenure as Chief Content Officer, Dismuke’s focus on original programming spawned several breakout hit series for the streaming service including nighttime soap opera, A House Divided, and action-packed thriller, Double Cross. 

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Before returning to ALLBLK (formerly UMC) to helm the subscription video on demand platform, Dismuke maintained his own entertainment outfit, So Chi Entertainment; served as President/COO of The Swirl Group, President of Moguldom Entertainment, and as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Urban Programming for RLJ Entertainment’s One Village studio.

 Max Fata is a Nashville-based film entrepreneur, producer, and content creator specializing in scripted short-form entertainment. As the founder and CEO of Amazing Things Media and HelloDrama, Max develops original microdrama series designed for today’s mobile-first audiences, combining emotionally charged storytelling with the fast-paced viewing habits of platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. 

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Before moving into film production, Max built a digital media career creating viral entertainment content and growing online communities to hundreds of millions of viewers. His videos on social, especially on Meta, have generated over a billion views. That experience gave Max a deep understanding of the hooks, characters, and cliffhangers that turn casual viewers into loyal audiences. 

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Today, Max oversees the development, financing, production, and distribution of original scripted series, working with actors, filmmakers, brands, and entertainment partners to bring ambitious stories to life. Through HelloDrama, he is helping build a new model for independent filmmaking, producing compelling, high-quality entertainment at the speed of social media while keeping strong characters and accessible storytelling at the center of every project. 

 Eric Hamilton is an award-winning filmmaker, AI visionary, and technology executive who is redefining how feature films are conceived, produced, and distributed through artificial intelligence. As the Founder, President, and Executive Producer of EHAMX Studios, Hamilton has established one of the industry's most ambitious AI-native film studios, creating cinematic stories that combine cutting-edge generative AI with traditional filmmaking principles. 

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In just a short period, Hamilton has completed five feature films, secured four distribution agreements, and earned fourteen international film awards. His films have been recognized for excellence in science fiction, action, dramatic storytelling, and independent filmmaking, including Best Film at the LA Sun Film Festival. His work has also received honors from the New York International Film Festival, LA Film Awards, The IndieFEST, Best Shorts Competition, International Movie Awards, World Class Film Awards, and numerous other festivals around the world. 

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He has also co-authored a major mental health collaborative journal with the former President of The National Medical Association, (MD) Dr. Rahn Bailey.

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Dr. T has provided a broad range of consultations to several NBA players, Hollywood’s elite, and currently does several live podcasts (with over a million followers and supporters) and relationship team-building webinars to be able to continue to reach those who wish to improve their working and/or personal relationships with others, despite new challenges faced in our changing world.

 Kyla Jade is a powerhouse vocalist, producer, arranger, and storyteller whose career spans Broadway, television, symphony stages, and concert halls across the country. Best known as a finalist on Season 14 of NBC's The Voice and for her portrayal of both Evillene and Aunt Em in the First National Touring Company of The Wiz's 50th Anniversary on Broadway, Kyla has captivated audiences with her extraordinary vocal ability, authentic storytelling, and dynamic stage presence. 

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Kyla has toured and shared the stage with legendary performers, including Patti LaBelle, EGOT Jennifer Hudson, Wynonna Judd, and many others. As a longtime featured soloist on B.E.T’s “Bobby Jones Gospel her face and sound have graced numerous live shows and recordings. Her signature blend of Gospel, Soul, Jazz, R&B, and Broadway continues to connect with audiences of all backgrounds. 

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In addition to her performance career, Kyla serves as a producer, vocal arranger, and arts advocate. She is currently a member of the SAG-AFTRA Nashville Local Board and the founder of Love Jade, Inc., a creative entertainment company dedicated to producing impactful musical experiences and supporting artists. 

 Terra Strong Lyons is an accomplished actress, acting coach, wife, mother, and proud SAG-AFTRA member whose career spans television, film, theater, and digital media. Her television credits include FBI, 9-1-1: Lone Star, Law & Order: SVU, NCIS: Los Angeles, Bosch: Legacy, and Netflix’s Beauty in Black. Her theater work includes productions of Once on This Island and Pearly.

As an acting coach and mentor, Terra specializes in self-tape preparation, audition technique, and helping actors deliver authentic, compelling on-camera performances. Having experienced firsthand how self-tapes have transformed the audition landscape, she is passionate about helping performers remain visible, versatile, and prepared as the industry continues to evolve across film, television, voiceover, digital media, and emerging platforms.

Terra is also the host of the Mommy Actor Podcast, a platform exploring the unique experience of building a career in entertainment while navigating motherhood. With deep ties to Tennessee and a growing presence in the state’s entertainment community, she is passionate about creating opportunities, sharing knowledge, and helping performers build sustainable careers—while continuing to pursue her own work across the industry.

Carolyn McDonald began her film industry career in the advertising/publicity division of Warner Bros Television, before joining Cinecom Entertainment as a Creative Executive. She served as Executive Vice President of Danny Glover’s Carrie Productions, where she was the executive producer of TNT’s Emmy & Image Award-nominated “Freedom Song” (written & directed by Phil Alden Robinson) and HBO’s “America’s Dream”, co-starring Wesley Snipes & Jasmine Guy, which won 4 Cable Ace Awards and an NAACP Image Award for Best Made-For-TV Movie. McDonald also produced, co-wrote, and directed “P.N.O.K.”, featuring Glover, Elle Fanning and Tina Lifford, and co-wrote “Return of the Sweetbirds” for 20th Century Fox. She now creates, write and produces a diverse array of projects in various mediums & platforms. 

A passionate youth arts advocate, Carolyn ran ‘Livin’ Reel’, the Nashville Film Festival’s At-Risk Teen Film Program, and was a teaching artist at the Cinema High School in Bronx, NY, and at the Gathering of Native American Youth Arts Camp in Sonoma County, CA.

She was a featured panelist and lecturer at the Nashville Film Festival, Film-Com, the International Black Film Festival of Nashville, and New Filmmakers LA Festival. She has also been a judge at the Nashville Film Festival, the Calgary Film Festival, the Reading Film Festival and was the jury’s Features Chairperson at the Slemani International Film Festival in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan. Carolyn is also a host of the New Filmmakers LA Festival-Moviemaker Magazine web series, “Stage 5”, where she interviews an array of international indie filmmakers.

In New York Film Academy’s Screenwriting Department in Los Angeles, Carolyn teaches Online Screen Story & Structure, Adaptation, Story Generation, and the Business of Screenwriting. While developing her own projects, she is growing her SOAS (Soul of a Story) writer community, as source of inspiration, delight and enrichment for lovers and creators of stories.

Wendy Moten is a genre-defying vocal powerhouse known for her stunning performances on NBC’s The Voice and her signature hit “Come In Out of the Rain.”

A Memphis native, she has toured globally with legends like Kirk Whalum, Michael McDonald, Julio Iglesias, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, John Oates, and Vince Gill. She has been a member of the Grammy winning Texas swing band , The Time Jumpers for six years and has performed over 35 times at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

A Memphis Beale Street Brass Note honoree and newest inductee into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Wendy blends soul, style, and timeless talent. Whether singing soul, jazz, country or pop, she continues to captivate audiences with her grace, power, and unforgettable voice. 

Indiana native Angela Northington is a seasoned entertainment executive with an extensive background in content strategy, content acquisitions, production, programming and multiplatform distribution.  Having served on the Board of Directors for Indianapolis Film Project/Kan-Kan Cinema for nearly two years, Angela recently transitioned into the role of Executive Director. 

Angela has held previous posts in traditional distribution, linear TV and OTT environments on the cutting edge of diverse and niche content, with a specialty in building content libraries, and leveraging that content through various distribution windows---including theatrical, broadcast, streaming & digital rights licensing.  Prior to officially joining the IFP/Kan-Kan’s board and taking on the Executive Director role, Angela previous served in a dual role as Senior Vice President of Content Acquisitions & Programming for RLJ Entertainment, as well General Manager of the company’s subscription VOD platform UMC (Urban Movie Channel), and leading up to the company's sale to AMC Networks. As GM, Angela oversaw operations, scheduling, marketing, app development & rollout strategy across devices and platform distribution partners.
 

Angela was honored in 2016 by Broadcasting & Cable/Multichannel News with the Content Acquisitions Executive Award.  With multi-decade experience in creative development and production, Angela started in the business as producer and has previously worked as both a creative & production executive.  During the pandemic, Angela founded ENTertainment Speakers Bureau, a digital speakers platform for diverse, cutting edge industry veterans at the intersection of Entertainment, New Media & Technology.

A member of the Producers Guild of America, Angela has served as a mentor and co-chair for the PGA Power of Diversity Master Workshop.  A graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts (formerly School of Cinema-Television), Angela is also a member of Colour Entertainment, Alliance for Women in Media, and Women in Film Los Angeles.

Valerie Jane Parker is an actor, writer, and producer whose work spans independent film, television, and original storytelling. Her screen credits include Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, opposite Austin Butler, as well as Nashville, Dynasty, The Resident, Wrong Turn, and two seasons on Oprah Winfrey’s Greenleaf. As a filmmaker, Parker is the founder of Preacher’s Daughter Pictures, a production company dedicated to bold, character-driven stories that explore the complicated truths beneath carefully constructed surfaces. She wrote, executive produced, and stars in the psychological thriller SHED, which grew from an acclaimed proof-of-concept short that earned ten festival selections and four nominations. The feature will make its world premiere at the 2026 Nashville Film Festival. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and raised in the American South, Parker brings a perspective shaped by an international upbringing, a career on both sides of the camera, and years spent between Nashville and Paris. She is also an active SAG-AFTRA board member and is passionate about creating more equitable, sustainable opportunities for artists while championing filmmakers who tell ambitious stories on their own terms. 

Abigail Smith is a 15 year old mental health and youth activist and passionate reader. Reading inspires her creativity and keeps her connected to the emotions and issues teens face today, which is why she became a voice for those experiences. She believes in using her platform to spark change, create safe spaces for honest dialogue, and break the silence around conversations many are too afraid to have. Through her advocacy, Abigail works to empower young people, challenge stigma, and inspire others to embrace openness, resilience, and growth.

Kaleisha Walker is an unapologetic Christian and a Nashville-based casting director, producer, actress, director of production, and entertainment professional with experience spanning film, television, marketing, radio, and media. She currently serves as the Casting Director, Producer, and Director of Production for HelloDrama, a Nashville-based micro-drama production company, where she has been an integral and instrumental part of the company and its growth for more than two and a half years. 

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Kaleisha has contributed to countless productions and has appeared in 100+ acting projects, ranging from background and supporting roles to lead roles. Her experience on both sides of the camera gives her a unique perspective and a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to bring a project from concept to screen – especially in the rapidly evolving vertical drama industry. 

She is also the founder and owner of K-Walk Film Production Services, where she passionately helps filmmakers cast talent for their productions. In addition, Kaleisha is a local television host for “Bless Your Heart,” as well as a red carpet host, which affords her the opportunity to interview celebrities, actors, artists, filmmakers, and entertainment professionals at various events. 

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A 2011 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Kaleisha earned her bachelor's degree with a major emphasis in Public Relations and a minor emphasis in Fashion Merchandising. She is a humbly proud first-generation college graduate. 

Originally from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Kaleisha made a faith-driven move to the Nashville, Tennessee area in 2021. She is passionate about storytelling, helping others, developing creatives, and building meaningful industry connections. Her personal mission is simple: use her God-given gifts, experience, and platform to encourage, connect, educate, inspire, and empower others to pursue their dreams and bring visions to life. 

Bobby Yan is an eight-time Emmy Award winning director, writer, visual effects artist and editor. First getting his start in music videos, Bobby directed some of the world’s biggest music artists in numerous genres from Hip Hop, Pop, Rock to Gospel, working with major labels such as Sony, Warner Bros, and Universal Records. He has directed over one hundred music videos and commercials.

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A child of Chinese immigrants, Bobby was born and raised in New York City, before later moving to New Orleans, LA. The juxtaposition of these two different cultures and environments became a heavy influence in Bobby’s style and expression. From his love of music to videogames and pop culture, his work has a highly visual and fun aesthetic style that pops out on the screen, while his personal and more intimate work in his short films tackles topics and stories from a world view perspective, often exploring topics of ethnicity & heritage, gender & sexuality and self-identity.