Festival host Mikki Hernandez

Mikki Hernandez

Mikki, a California native, is an LA-based actress. Recent credits include The Don’t Call List (Amazon Prime), Jealous (Pan African Film Festival) and voiceover for Target heard in stores and on screens nationwide. Mikki is a proud UCLA alum and enjoys traveling, dancing, writing, and sharing stories through her digital publication MixedKids&Co. Her first children’s book Cake Mix: Learning to Love All Your Ingredients is set to release in 2021.

World Premiere Opening Night

Leve Ross, Spoken Word “ You Hold The Key”

Leve Nathaniel Ross V, is a resilient victor of chronic trauma. He has survived difficult environments such as the childcare system, gang violence, and family brokenness which sought to stamp him as another wayward statistic, but God had other plans. Leve has channeled these stories of survival into excerpts of triumph shared through artistic and inspirational Spoken Word performances.  

More about Leve Leve Ross

 Guest Panelist Host Anthony Trucks

Guest panelist Host former NFL player, Anthony Trucks is not only physically strong but is tough-minded, as well. He was put into the foster system when he was just three years old. So, with his three siblings, the toddler had to learn just how difficult and unfair life could be. Trucks says that he felt “alone, unprepared for the future, unwanted, scared, unsure and essentially on an island.” Before his sixth birthday, Trucks was physically and mentally abused, tortured, starved, and treated like he was “less than human. ”He went to college and started playing football. He had a brief NFL career and retired at 24 with a shoulder injury. Anthony Trucks, is now a motivational speaker ,who encourages people to hustle and reach their full potential. Though battling with depression and nearly taking his own life, Trucks decided to take a different approach to life. He became an entrepreneur and opened a successful gym in the San Francisco Bay area, which he ran for six years before closing it down. Trucks then went on to pursue what he wanted to do: Inspire and motivate people. From his rough beginnings, Anthony Trucks travels around the world to give speeches, is an author, and a corporate consultant. He founded Trust Your Hustle, a three-step process for trainers to build a successful business. Anthony Trucks

 Guest Panelist Host Floria S. Smith

Floria S. Smith is an Entertainment Manager, Consultant, Producer and Motivational ‘Listener’. She is a 2016 graduate of Fullerton College with degrees in Business Administration and Economics. For 28 years, Floria has managed her son, Arjay Smith (The Journey of Allen Strange, The Day After Tomorrow, Perception, Sons of Anarchy, McDonald’s TV & radio voice overs). Floria has developed a passion for the entertainment business. She loves helping children and young adults grow their careers. Through her experiences, Floria has learned a lot and can offer advice on contracts, money management and the pitfalls of the entertainment business. She currently represents Ayaamii Sledge (2020 McDonald’s Spirit Riding Free commercial), Akira Evans (Bob Hearts Abishola, We Bare Bears, 2019 Subaru commercial & 2017 GE commercial) and is Business Manager for Theodore Barnes (Netflix’s The Prince of Peoria & ABC’s The Goldbergs). Floria has also ventured into producing with projects such as The Biz (2015) and Urban Press (2017). Floria’s other passion is “Social & Emotional Learning”. Young people today need someone to listen to them more than someone always talking to them especially about “stuff” that they currently feel is of no importance to them. She is a Motivational ‘Listener’ not a Motivational Speaker. The question she always asks is “How do you want to be remembered?”

 Guest Panelist Host Allen J. West

Allen J. West, Writer, Director, Executive Producer and Social Impact Entrepreneur

Allen began his career in the entertainment industry as the Music Supervisor for Emmy nominated TV One, four part original series hosted by Rev Al Sharpton titled Murder in Black & White. He was then the Producer for Mike Tyson’s event series, Iron Mike Productions, which aired on Fox Sports in 2014 and was the #1 rated show on the network that year. Additionally, Allen was the Creative Producer of the TV series titled GIVE which aired weekly on NBC in 2016 and 2017. Give won the 2017 Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series at the 44th annual awards program. Allen was also the Executive Producer and Supporting Actor of a SAG Independent full-length motion picture titled Life, Love, Soul which aired on BET Her October 12, 2018. Allen was most recently the Director and Executive Producer of a weekly docudrama titled Addiction Unplugged which premiered on A&E August 24, 2019. On February 7, 2019 Allen received the Newsmaker of the Year Award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America for his prevention and solution based Addiction Unplugged campaign. Allen views his most significant professional accomplishment as forming the Foster Dreamzzz Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization created to improve the lives of foster care youth aging out of the system. Allen J. West (allenjwest.com)

 Joy Maxwell Filmmaker

Special Inspirational Workshop with Joy Maxwell, Filmmaker

You won’t want to miss this workshop to hear the fantastic journey of how Joy was able to complete and distribute her feature film THE COMING now available on Amazon. A journey that began when she was 13 years old. With little financing and the miraculous assistance from over 200 volunteers, she finally not only completed the film but received a distribution deal with Greenapple Entertainment with distribution on Amazon, Comcast, RCN and soon will be available at Walmart. Join this workshop to meet Joy and gain insight into what motivated her to keep believing and never giving up on her dream.

 Minister Sherry Traylor’s Zoe Expression Dance Company with Psalms Dance and Creative Arts Network

World Premiere Special Dance Performance by Minister Sherry Traylor’s Zoe Expression Dance Company with Psalms Dance and Creative Arts Network.

Their mission is to collaborate with schools, community leaders, and faith-based organizations throughout the US and around the world to inspire creativity and appreciation for the arts, help students and communities discover and develop their own passions, strengths, and gifts and to transform lives of people by providing access to creative arts programs and events as well as various educational programs that will help improve the next generation. Sherry has taken over 300 Dancers to share their gifts to nations such as South Africa, Jamaica, Mexico Brazil, Bahamas, Japan, Barbados and Costa Rica sharing this beautiful and expressive dance with over 4000 youth and children. You won’t want to miss this special performance premiering at the Nehemiah Film Festival.

 Special Musical Guests - Native Latina (feat:Jasmine,Nana & 3:16)

Special Musical Guests - Native Latina (feat:Jasmine,Nana & 3:16)

In 1993 Native Latina 1st began expressing her everyday life experiences & emotions growing up thru poetry. She was inspired by many great artist such as Janet Jackson, 2pac, E40, Mary J. Blige,etc...mixing her hip hop skills with soulful R&B, Native Latina extends her music 2 an even larger demographic w/her latest album ~NO Blind Story Told~ Feat artists such as LaTrice Christine, Ambussh, Swift, Ambrozha,& more.Regarding her approach to this album, she stated, " I wanted to show more of my versatility" Native Latina live performance range from 20-45 minutes & include special appearances of some of the talented features. She has done some charitable events 4 the American Cancer Society @ Cal State University S Bdno(Relay 4 life),Sherman Oak High School 2 help inspire the kids,Opened up 4 artist such as Brenton Wood & former singer of Pussycat Dolls Kaya Jones,the Tukut Lounge at San Manuel Casino, the Joint in BeverlyHills, the Cat Club in Hollywood,Tap Daddys in San Jacinto,Royal Fantasies Car show,club Hollywood in Victorville, 09'L.A Marathon,Compassion Cup event in Sacramento,Dream Worldwide Television at Time Warner Cable studios in Inglewood & w L.A, Then & Now Gospel t.v etc....just 2 name a few the list goes on. 

Throughout the course of her musical career, Native Latina has won over the hearts of music lovers from all walks of life. Performing at a variety of venues, making dozens of appearances, all the while recording new singles, Native Latina has earned the admiration and affection of countless fans, serving as both inspirational, motivational & simply mind blowing. Native Latina | Native Latina

 Michael Jr. Stand Up Comedian

Michael Jr. Stand Up Comedian Special Performance at the Nehemiah Film Festival Awards Gala

Known as one of today’s most gifted comedians, Michael Jr. brings laughter and understanding to audiences all over the world. Michael has performed at the legendary Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, “Just for Laughs” comedy festival in Montreal, The Tonight Show, The Late , Late Show, Oprah, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central, TedX Talks and has been keynote for Fortune 500 Companies. He also makes laughter commonplace in uncommon places such as homeless shelters and prisons, in addition to appearing in Sony Pictures’ feature film War Room as well as a starring role in Selfie Dad and MORE THAN FUNNY. With comedy from Michael Jr. the Nehemiah Awards Gala will be fire!

 Awards Gala Host Carol Ross-Burnett - Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer, Author and Speaker

Carol Ross-Burnett Closing Night Awards Gala Host

Carol Ross-Burnett is a woman of faith who brings a unique blend of creativity, expertise and experience to her professional and creative endeavors. She is a singer, songwriter, music producer, author and speaker with insights into what both aspiring and experienced creatives want and need. Carol sings with the praise and worship outreach ministry of Billy Davis, Jr. and Marilyn McCoo of Fifth Dimension fame. Carol founded and hosts the annual Platform Workshop for Christian Artists to help singers, songwriters, authors and speakers develop their gifts and talents. Her published works include stories in the best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul book franchise’s first books in the series written by and about Black people. Carol’s stories were among those selected from over 5,000 submissions for each book: “You Go Salt & Pepper” in Chicken Soup for the African American Soul (an Essence Magazine Bestseller), and “Forgiving Daddy” in Chicken Soup for the African American Woman's Soul. Her work as a DEI professional and consultant is driven by her dual lived experiences growing up in the Jim Crow South, and then in Berkeley, California. Through her company, CRB Global LLC, Carol now helps organizations identify biases and structural racism, and educates them on ways to reduce and eliminate such bias in individual behavior and institutional systems. www.carolrossburnett.com.

Guest Panelist Kevin Toney - 2x Grammy Nominated Award Winning Pianist, Composer, Author, and Speaker

Guest Panelist Evan Wright - Film Composer

Kevin Toney - Film Scoring, What? How? Why? Workshop

Kevin Toney, a 2x Grammy-nominated award-winning pianist, composer, author, and speaker, is a truly modern music renaissance artist. Kevin Toney's breakout album, Lovescape, released in 1994, featured his compositions "Kings" and "Aphrodisiac." Kevin's solo career and sound grew on Ichiban Records and Shanachie Records, with albums like "Pastel Mood," "Extra Sensual Perception," "Strut," "Sweet Spot," and "110 Degrees And Rising" receiving critical acclaim. Among the awards he received was the selection of his 2001 album Strut as "official music" alongside Paul McCartney and Alicia Keys by the 2002 Winter Olympics Committee. Heart of Gratitude and New American Suite are two of Kevin's most recent CDs. Beyond his music, Kevin has performed with Aretha Franklin, Sonny Rollins, Nancy Wilson, Frank Sinatra, George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Shania Twain, Isaac Hayes, Sonny Stitt, Carl Anderson, Shirley Caesar, Oscar Brown Jr., Edwin Hawkins, Pink, Ray Parker Jr., Andrew White, Bobby Womack, Norman Brown, Clifton Davis and more. Kevin's film and television credits as a composer include Craig Ross Monogamy Seasons 1, 2, and 3, "Kings Of The Evening," Darkness Reigns, Da Capo, and Clarissa's Gift. He served as conductor, arranger, and music director for theatrical productions of Ain't Misbehavin', Five Guys Named Moe, Sophisticated Ladies, ), James Brown: Get On The Good Foot (Apollo Theater, and Porgy and Bess. Composing and arranging for Diana Ross and new arrangements and orchestrations for a bold jazz interpretation of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," are among Kevin's recent projects. The LA Philharmonic commissioned him to write "Fireworks Celebration Suite 2018." The composition received its world premiere at the Hollywood Bowl with Thomas Wilkins conducting with Diana Ross's band. With an outstanding career spanning four decades and two Grammy nominations, three RIAA Gold Record awards, Hall Of Fame Inductee to California Jazz and Blues Museum, a NAACP Image Award, National Endowment For The Arts Fellowship Grant, Kevin continues to delight audiences everywhere. www.kevintoney.com

Evan Wright - Film Scoring What? How? Why? Workshop

Evan Wright is a 22 year-old composer of film who got his start in music at the age of 8 singing negro spirituals at his home church in south Los Angeles, Second Baptist. Evan quickly became a lover of jazz music during his high school career at the L.A. County High School for the Arts. While there, he wrote compositions for big band and small ensembles performing them live at numerous jazz clubs in the area. After his acceptance as a Jazz Composition major at the New England Conservatory of Music, Evan was introduced to film scoring during his junior year studying as a composer and jazz vocalist. Evan has performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and has had his original big band works featured in the New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston. Since earning his BA in 2020, Evan has scored a number of independent films and is actively working as a composer in the Los Angeles Area. www.theevanwright.com