writer + director

Larry is a Detroit-born storyteller whose first byline covering the Pistons for the Detroit Free Press came at age 13. A Howard University graduate in political science and English, he focused on equity in Black cities and later pursued an MPP at Michigan with additional study at Howard Law. He wrote for the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign, helping raise millions, and in 2023 became Howard’s senior communications specialist for presidential communications, where his work has earned national awards.

In 2016 Larry founded WHATSUITSHIM, a multimedia boutique spanning career consulting, podcasts, photography, and film. Now an MFA Film student at Howard, he unwinds with basketball, LEGO construction, and vinyl collection.

producer

Rachael is the founder and executive strategist of Rachael Payton Studios, a creative home for revolutionary artists, advocates, and world-builders advancing community-centered storytelling. She has directed documentary series for Dream.Org and serves as public relations lead and event host for CHOCOLATE, a 2026 DC/DOX and DC International Film Festival selection.

Rachael also founded BeGreatDC, a nonprofit that has invested more than $100,000 in Washington, D.C. communities through health, education, and youth initiatives. A recognized community changemaker, she holds a Bachelor of Science in corporate communications from Old Dominion University and is a Washington Media Institute alumna.

associate producer (detroit unit)

Bria is a Detroit-born producer and journalist with a track record in local news, brand campaigns, and live event production. She’s led projects for automotive, nonprofit, and creative clients, shaping stories from newsroom headlines to stage lights. Her work spans digital strategy, content creation, and on-the-ground production, always anchored in clarity and authenticity.

As founder of Piedmont Narrative, Bria partners with organizations to craft media strategies and experiences that resonate. Known for her precision and collaborative style, she brings a creative edge and operational excellence to every project, ensuring stories connect and leave a lasting impression.

thesis committee chair

Maha is an award-winning filmmaker with over 25 years of experience in editing, directing, and writing narrative and documentary films in the United States, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. 

She has co-directed and edited The Last Battlefront: Quest for the Vote in Washington, D.C., a feature documentary that aired on WHUT and WETA in prime time. She also edited On the Road in America, a twelve-part documentary-reality series that aired on the Sundance Channel.

Maha wrote, directed, and edited numerous other projects focusing on identity and women, and has finished her feature narrative screenplay The Great American Experiment. She is featured in the books Arab Filmmakers of the Middle East and Encyclopedia of Arab Women Filmmakers.

thesis committee member

Jami is an Emmy and International Award-winning filmmaker and educator. She is an associate professor in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, Department of Media, Journalism, and Film, where she also serves as the department’s assistant chair.

Jami holds an MFA in film production from Howard University and an MA in media studies from The New School.

Jami has worked professionally as a filmmaker, writing, directing, and producing narrative, experimental, and documentary film, music videos, and commercials. Her works have been screened at film festivals globally and on streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime. Having a passion for working with young people, she also serves on the advisory board for the Global Institute for Black Girls in Film & Media. 

thesis committee member

Shahriar is an award-winning filmmaker, scholar, and educator. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Film at the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, Department of Media, Journalism, and Film, where he is also the coordinator of the graduate film program. He specializes in Film Directing and Editing.

Originally from Iran, Shahriar launched his career as an independent filmmaker in the Middle East. He later pursued his filmmaking and academic career in the U.S., earning a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Arts and an MFA in Film from Ohio University.