“What tiles are to mosaics, stories are to narratives. The relationship is symbiotic.”
Who We Are
SHONTINA VERNON, Executive PRODUCER/ Head of content development
Shontina is a dynamic multi disciplinary artist, filmmaker, and producer. Her work experiments to disrupt narratives of erasure and to investigate representation and power at the intersections of race, gender, and class. She has served as an advisor for the Arthouse Convergence and Alliance for Action, working to advance racial justice in film. Currently, she is a Creative Capital Fellow, and an Art for Justice grantee. Her work has also been the recipient of the Conductive Garboil Award for challenging the limits of creative discourse beyond accepted limits to engage audiences outside of the aesthetic industrial complex.
LARA DAVIS, impact PRODUCER
Lara is a demonstrated leader in the arts and cultural sector with experience implementing large-scale collective impact and social justice initiatives, developing innovative programs, facilitation and public speaking. She is a recipient of the National Guild for Community Arts Education Service Award, the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader Award, and a German Marshall Memorial Fellowship. As an artistic collaborator, Lara has contributed to numerous audio and media production projects. In addition to her role as producer, Lara’s work at VJS focuses on impact programs for emerging filmmakers and advocacy partnerships that support community engagement and intersectional storytelling.
Erinn anova, associate producer
Erinn Anova aspires to create and engage in projects that elevate the creative and musical talents of mulit-generational Black artists. As Associate Producer with Visionary Justice StoryLab, Erinn supports intersectional content development and the production of television and film projects. She is also a seasoned actor, singer, and writer.
Amina Blyden-Guillory, Designer
Amina Blyden-Guillory is a multi-disciplinary creative director and designer with roots in both Sierra Leone and the United States. Drawing upon the imagery, color, and patterns that define West African art, she infuses the Visionary Justice StoryLab brand with elements of rich cultural heritage.
Leah Franks, Editor
Leah Franks is a filmmaker working in editing, videography, and still photography. She has run the gamut through corporate, nonprofit, narrative, documentary, and live events on various projects throughout her career. In her primary work as an editor piecing narratives together, learning more about the stories, themes, and topics being explored is a great joy, along with conveying clients' visions to viewers and creating collaborations that are greatly cherished. She also loves to get behind a camera to capture moments and experiences first-hand, whether on video or in photos. She is based in Seattle, WA and work with clients all over the greater metro area, as well as with folks who have spread out across the country.
Artist Collaborators
Alexxiss S. Jackson, SOC
Alexxiss Jackson is a Director of Photography and Camera Operator, as well as Cinematography Professor at Spelman College. She has served as Director of Photography on narrative features, narrative shorts, commercials, music videos, and more; including work for Vogue Magazine, Google, BET+, VH1, Tyler Perry Studios, Sony Pictures, Uber, Kroger, and Ulta Beauty.
Kiah Clingman
Kiah Clingman finds purpose in uplifting the voices of the unheard and bringing awareness to ignored and misunderstood topics. Born in Cincinnati and adopted by Atlanta in 2016, Kiah is a passionate advocate for telling stories about her second home and making sure her crew and talent on screen reflects the city.
Kanani Koster
Kanani Koster is a Kanaka Maoli writer and director currently inhabiting LA. Trailer-raised and working class-bred, she champions blue comedy where working women take the mic - and don’t give it back. She is a ‘24 American Film Institute Directing alum, 2024 ‘Ohina Lab Fellow and ‘23 Punky Aloha Scholar for Kanaka 'Ōiwi and Pasifika Creatives.
Ebony Blanding
Ebony Blanding is a writer and director with deep Southern roots and a passion for telling the stories of Black people navigating the world and internal discoveries. She explores the complexities and possibilities of Blackness and female relationships on screen through narrative, experimental and documentary film.