MITRA I. ARTHUR (Writer, Director) is a native of both Upper Marlboro, MD and Columbia, SC. She is a graduate of Columbia College, SC. Mitra channeled her love of the performing arts into tenures with New Dramatists, New York Stage & Film, Capital Jazz Productions and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. While with the Kennedy Center and Capital Jazz Productions, Mitra spent her time connecting audiences with opportunities to actively engage and explore the performing arts. She is the Writer/Director of Énoument and served as a Producer on Riverment. Mitra is currently pursuing her Masters of Fine Arts in Film and Electronic Media at American University. The Beauty in Trying will serve as her graduate Capstone project. 

SHAYLA RACQUEL (Producer) is the quintessential creative – born and raised in South Carolina but currently living in the city of Washington, DC. Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at birth and having a stroke at the young age of 12, her childhood battle with the disease is what brought her closer to the art of storytelling and the love of filmmaking. Shayla Racquel is the creator of the award-winning webseries Quarter Century and short film Life’s Checklist. Her most recent film, Riverment, discusses intergenerational trauma while comparing and contrasting Black empowerment movements. It is currently wrapping up the film festival circuit – 30 official selections and fourteen awards to date including a Student Emmy in the category of fiction long-form. The film was acquired by cable television network Aspire. Shayla Racquel bleeds Orange & Green, holding a Bachelor of Science  from the illustrious Florida A&M University. In 2018, she received her Masters of Fine Arts in Film & Electronic Media from American University. More information on Shayla Racquel’s various film projects can be found on shaylaracquel.com.

AIDEN KOROTKIN (Cinematographer, Producer) is a DC-based award-winning Director of Photography and Editor.  He graduated from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. Aiden has won two awards for his editing: a Gold Hermes Award for his documentary on the Vermont Healthcare system for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and an Honorable Mention Hermes Award for his promotional video for Calvary Women’s Services. Aiden has shot films for ESPN, MSNBC, National Geographic Channel, TNT, MTV, VOX, Fusion Media, Capital One, The U.S. Department of State, PBS, AFL-CIO, Everytown for Gun Safety, and for musical artists such as The Knocks and SHAED. He has worked on shows such as the Netflix show “Rotten” and A&E’s “America’s Most Wanted.” Aiden also worked on the award-winning feature documentary, TransMilitary, that premiered at SXSW in 2018. It is currently available for streaming on iTunes and Amazon Prime. More information on Aiden Korotkin's work can be found at aidenkorotkin.com. 

AMY K. BORMET (Composer) is an in-demand pianist, vocalist, and composer. The quintet from her debut album, Striking, was featured as part of the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center. As an advocate for women in music, Amy created the Washington Women in Jazz Festival in 2011 and continues to serve as executive director. Along with her performance career, Ms. Bormet is a prolific composer frequently combining improvisation with concert music. She has been commissioned to write for Wild Up’s Work concert for classical bassist/vocalist Maggie Hasspacher, the Capital City Symphony, the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Afro-Blue, Howard University Jazz Ensemble, and the Brad Linde Ensemble among others. In addition to her albums, Amy’s recorded music can be heard in short films, radio dramas, and audio books. Amy is an alumna of the Kennedy Center’s residency program for composer/performers, Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, the inaugural Mary Lou Williams Emerging Artist Workshop, and the Jazz Composer’s Orchestral Institute (American Composer’s Orchestra). She received her Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies/Piano Performance from the University of Michigan, and her Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Howard University. More information on Amy Bormet can be found at amykbormet.com.

MALEEK WASHINGTON (Choreographer), a native New Yorker from the Bronx, is a performer, choreographer, and teaching artist. He began his dance training at Harlem School of the Arts, Broadway Dance Center, and LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, and attended the Boston Conservatory before beginning his professional career with CityDance ensemble (Washington, D.C.). Upon his return to New York City, Washington collaborated with MacArthur Genius Awardee, Kyle Abraham, and his company Abraham.In.Motion for four seasons before becoming the first African-American male to perform in the critically acclaimed immersive show Punchdrunk’s SLEEP NO MORE. He has also performed for musical sensations, such as Sia, Phish & Rihanna for her immersive ANTIDIARY campaign. Washington’s performance and commercial choreographic talent has been recognized nationally at prestigious venues such as The White House, The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts and Jacob’s Pillow, and internationally in Australia, Jordan, Mexico, and Sweden. In addition to his performance career, Washington is a sought after national and international teaching artist at The Joffrey Ballet School, LaGuardia High School For The Performing Arts, Broadway Dance Center, and Brent Street in Australia. As a choreographer, his work has been seen at the Boston Dance Festival, Pepatian and BAAD!, Periapsis Dance and  “Noesis”, and at Judson Church. Washington was also a 2017-18 Dancing While Black Top 10 Choreographic finalists. Alongside his creative work, Washington has entered his second season with Camille A. Brown & Dancers. Recently Maleek was part of the ensemble for NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” starring John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Brandon Victor Dixon, choreographed by Camille A. Brown. More information on Maleek Washington’s work can be found at maleekwashington.com.