W. Paul Coates is the founder and principal of Black Classic Press, which specializes in republishing obscure and significant works by and about people of African descent. A leader in the field of small publishers, Coates founded BCP Digital Printing in 1995 to produce books and documents using digital print technology. Father of Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Baba Nati Nataki-Kamau is the co-founder and proprietor of Everyone’s Place African Culture Center, on North Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland, which, at more than 30 years old, is one of the longest continuous runs of a Black bookstore in the nation. He is also the founder of Afrikan World Books, one of the country’s oldest, largest and most influential distributors of Black books.

Judy Richardson in 1968, shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., along with other former SNCC staffers, founded Drum and Spear Bookstore in Washington, D.C. It became the largest Black bookstore in the country, with Richardson as the children’s editor of Drum and Spear Press.[8] Richardson said about the bookstore’s name that the drum symbolized “communications within the diaspora” while the spear suggested “whatever else might be necessary for the liberation of the people.”

Simba Sana is the co-founder of Karibu Books, the largest black- owned bookstore chain in the United States before closing in 2008, and the author of Never Stop, a memoir. Sana graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s University with a double major in accounting and business and holds two master’s degrees: one in African Studies from Howard University, and one in liberal arts from St. John’s College.

Karim Ali will serve as Co-Executive Producer and research contributor. Karim will provide overall media expression direction which will encompass aspects of the cinematic approach, photography, music/scoring, editing, writing and design production. Karim has had a long career in Media Expressionism and storytelling with socially conscious institutions, organizations.

Sadiq Ali will serve as Co-Executive Producer and Co-Director for the project. Sadiq will also be responsible for casting and overall artistic direction. Sadiq is an author, speaker, social impact sector leader and entrepreneur who grew up in a household filled with books by a father who founded and owned Black bookstores.

Dr. Joshua Clark Davis will serve as lead historian for the project. As he has led extensive research on the film’s core subject area, Dr. Davis will support in casting. He also serves as assistant professor of American history at the University of Baltimore focusing on social movements, policing, capitalism, and African American history

Dayvon Love, Director of Public Policy, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (Baltimore, MD) will serve as Cultural and Historical Consultant for the project. A historian, author and national champion debater and coach, Dayvon will provide historical context and analysis. Dayvon’s work has been featured heavily across national media.

Marcel Martin bka “Kariz Marcel” is a New York-born, Baltimore-Virginia raised music producer and social entrepreneur. His roots sprouted from 90’s Hip-Hop, Go-Go (DC) and Baltimore Club Music. In 2008 he founded Kariz Kids Youth Enrichment Services, an afterschool program focused on music production that ran for over 10 years. In 2018 he landed a major music placement on Jidenna’s ‘85 To Africa’ album with the song ‘Sou Sou’. It was co produced by 7G, a young prodigy that was once his student in Kariz Kids.

Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Gabrielle Yasmeen is an emerging photographer and director whose work explores the rich cultural landscape and vibrant communities of her hometown. Her photography delves into themes of identity, heritage, and the intersection of tradition and modernity within the South. Gabrielle holds a BA in political science which enables her to create work that not only reflects but also contributes to ongoing conversations about identity, culture, and community. Her images create space for deep conversations and reflections around the complexities of Black diasporic life, and enduring.

Blair McQueen (she/her) is the Social Media Consultant for NDR. She brings years of experience in digital communications, campaign strategy, and creative storytelling across mission-driven organizations. Her background spans work with the Open Government Partnership, MENTOR Maryland | DC, and other civic and media institutions, where she led community management, content development, and digital analytics across multiple platforms. Blair leads the digital engagement strategy—building awareness, driving crowdfunding, and connecting audiences to the film’s story of culture, equity, and legacy.

Francesca Sharper (she/her) is an emerging Brooklyn-based editor. After starting her career in ads and reality TV, she has spent the last six years focusing on documentary storytelling. Her credits include the 2021 Peabody winner High on the Hog, the 2022 SXSW Grand Jury winner Master of Light, and the 2024 Emmy-nominated film Stamped From the Beginning.

Chicago-born and Milwaukee-raised creative, Jerrold Daniels began his career as a graphic and web designer before transitioning to videography and photography. A Florida A&M University graduate in Graphic Communication, he later studied Digital Film Production at Clayton State University, gaining hands-on industry experience. Known for his clean, sophisticated, and stylistic work, Jerrold approaches every project as an artistic expression—creating visual stories that connect both intellectually and emotionally, blending technical skill with heartfelt creativity.