Spelman Arts and Entertainment Summit - Part B
View Session A Register for Both Sessions
Arts and Entertainment Session B Session: Sports & Entertainment
Location: Beverly Daniel Tatum Suites, After Dark Lounge
Moraima “Mo” Ivory, C’91
Mo Ivory is an accomplished attorney, law professor and the director of the Center for Entertainment, Sports and IP Law at Georgia State University College of Law. She is set to begin her tenure as Commissioner for Fulton County’s District 4 in January 2025. Ivory is deeply committed to community progress and engagement. She leverages her extensive knowledge in politics, law and media to foster informed dialogue and empower citizens.
Her media career includes hosting prominent radio shows on Atlanta’s V-103FM and 1380AM WAOK and providing political and legal commentary on major networks like CNN, HLN, MSNBC, and TVOne.
Ivory has also been a frequent contributor to Fox 5 Atlanta's "Georgia Gang." With over two decades of experience, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives focused on education, criminal justice reform, healthcare, employment, small business development, and voting rights in Georgia. Before joining Georgia State University, Ivory was an adjunct professor of entertainment law at Howard University School of Law. Her legal career includes roles at King & Spalding, Scientific-Atlanta, the American Cancer Society, and she provided counsel for Turner Broadcasting, SunTrust Bank, and Cisco Systems. Additionally, she had on-air shows at Sirius XM Radio and WHUR 96.3FM in Washington, D.C.
Ivory is also an entrepreneurial leader, having successfully launched several ventures. She is the principal of Ivory Consulting, LLC, where she provides legal, business and political consulting services. Her work focuses on cultural engagement, celebrity, and influencer partnerships, as well as media strategy. Her clients include local, state, and federal campaigns, along with various nonprofit organizations. Her extensive volunteer work reflects her commitment to leadership and community service. She serves as Chair of the Advisory Board for the Rialto Center for the Arts and is a member of the Admissions Committee at GSU Law.
Ivory is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (East Point/College Park Chapter), The Links Inc. (Dogwood City Chapter), and an associate member of the Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. Her professional affiliations include the Georgia Bar Association, the Black Entertainment and Sports Law Association (BESLA), and other professional organizations. Ivory holds a degree in political science from Spelman College and a law degree from Temple University School of Law. She resides in Atlanta with her husband, Robert, and their blended family of six children and three grandchildren.
Traci Bransford, C’85
Sports, entertainment and media clients turn to Traci Bransford for strategic counsel on the full range of their legal needs. She is the leader of Parker Poe's Sports and Entertainment Industry Team and has over 30 years of experience. Bransford focuses her practice on transactional law with an emphasis on clients in sports, music, television, film and literary publishing. She serves as outside general counsel and guides her clients through many aspects of their businesses, including intellectual property management, contract negotiation and brand strategy.
Her clients benefit from her multi-jurisdictional experience from California to New York, Minnesota and Georgia, as well as her commitment to the tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This background allows her to offer comprehensive solutions to key legal challenges. Traci frequently speaks before national audiences about entertainment, media, sports and celebrity philanthropy. She is a member of leading sports and entertainment law associations and serves on several nonprofit boards. Bransford earned her bachelor of arts from Spelman College in Atlanta and her juris doctor from New York University School of Law.
Session: Lights, Camera, and Action With Traci Blackwell, C’90
Location: Albro-Falconer Manley Science Center Auditorium, Room 134
Traci Lynn Blackwell is the head of targeted content at Amazon MGM Studios, where she and her team develop scripted series in all genres, including the launch of Prime Video’s first major original faith tentpole series, "The House of David," which will premiere in February 2025. Previously, she served as executive vice president of Scripted Programming at BET Networks. In that role, Blackwell led all of BET Networks’ Original Scripted Programming functions, including development, current programming, casting, and talent for the BET linear network and the company’s SVOD service, BET+.
Previously, Blackwell served as senior vice president of Current Programs at The CW Network, where she shepherded the day-to-day creative for some of the network’s biggest brands, such as Supergirl, Jane The Virgin, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Black Lightning, Roswell: New Mexico, Legacies, and All American. Blackwell’s TV programming credits include both award-winning dramas and comedies, among them the critically acclaimed Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Dynasty, The Carrie Diaries, Hart of Dixie, The Messengers, Life Unexpected, Beauty and The Beast, One Tree Hill, 90210, Everybody Hates Chris, The Game, Girlfriends, and countless others.
Prior to joining CW, Blackwell began her career with UPN, and during her tenure, she worked on the production of successful sitcoms The Parkers and Moesha. Earlier in her career, she served as an assistant to Academy Award-nominated producer/director Reginald Hudlin. Blackwell has been named to Power Lists, including Essence, Ebony, and the NAACP. She has also been honored by numerous organizations and institutions, including the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Los Angeles, Emerson College, and Black Women In Film. In 2018, she received the Humanitas Prize “Voice For Change” Award, making her the first person and first executive to receive this prestigious honor.
Blackwell sits on the Emerson College Board of Trustees, The Advisory Board of HBCU in LA and is the co-founder of The Career Advisory Network a mentoring organization at Emerson College. She is also co-chair of the Merge Summit, an organization and yearly conference that merges the worlds of faith and entertainment. A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, Blackwell earned a bachelor's degree in English from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and a master’s degree in Communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
D’Angela Proctor Steed, C’91
D’Angela Proctor is a rare media CEO capable of easily transitioning between the creative and business sides of media. Her career spans from being an attorney, entrepreneur and producer to a network, studio and media c-suite executive. Through her women’s and minority-certified production company, Undaunted Content, Proctor recently executive produced “Terri McMillan Presents: Tempted by Love,” which marks the first reunion of McMillan, Lela Rochon, and Loretta Devine since “Waiting to Exhale.”
Her projects also include "An Easter Bloom,” the first Easter movie under Hallmark’s DaySpring brand, "The Holiday Stocking" for Hallmark’s Mahogany brand, and "Line Sisters" for Lifetime. Additionally, she directed and executive produced “Keyshia Cole: This is My Story" for Lifetime. Her company is developing several new projects, including a modern-day adaptation of “The Women of Brewster Place” and collaborations with Netflix, Lifetime, and Hallmark. Under the Undaunted Content Consulting banner, Proctor has delivered consultancy services to clients that include Hulu, Ava DuVernay's Array Filmworks, Kendrick Sampson’s BLD PWR, and the Oscar-winning K Period Media. Additionally, she has advised multiple domestic and international studio projects and Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs).
Before founding Undaunted Content, Proctor was CEO of Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Entertainment, a social impact production company focused on branded content. Proctor led Wayfarer to procure a groundbreaking ideation and sponsorship agreement with P&G and the sale of a television series to the CW. Under Proctor’s leadership, Wayfarer won over 25 awards and honors for its branded content campaigns, including five Telly Awards. At the same time, she created and implemented her signature 4H virtue system (Honor, Humility, Hunger, and Heart), bringing the company’s culture in line with its vision to elevate humanity through storytelling.
Proctor served as the head of production and business development of Codeblack Films, a Lionsgate Company, and head of original programming and production at TV One, a cable television network. During her time as an executive at Lionsgate, Proctor streamlined Codeblack’s development slate and spearheaded a multi-picture deal with a major cable television network for several of the company’s legacy projects and worked with the international sales team to increase the revenue projections for Codeblack projects globally. As the programming head at TV One, Proctor overhauled its programming strategy, which led to a 47% gain in network revenue over three years and improved the network’s ratings performance by 36% in 2015, positioning it as a Top Cable Growth Network among competitors. She also maintained the creative and business affairs oversight of 44 original movies, 50 episodes of scripted comedies, 1000 + hours of news and public affairs programming, 240 hours of true crime & justice programming, 120 hours of reality programming, 5 NAACP Image Awards, and a host of other specials and programming initiatives. During her tenure, TV One programming earned seven NAACP Image Awards, a GLAAD Award, and NAMIC Vision Awards, among others. Proctor co-owned and operated Strange Fruit Media for over 15 years, preceding her transition into the executive ranks.
She created, developed, and produced music videos, documentaries, feature films, television series, live music and comedy recordings. On the film side, she raised millions of dollars for independent productions that sold to Lionsgate, Universal, Screen Gems, Magnolia Pictures, and others. In the television arena, Proctor served as an executive producer and creative consultant for Black Entertainment Television (BET), where she developed and/or executive produced multiple film and television projects, including “Sunday Best,” which earned the 43rd Annual NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Reality Series. She later created OWN’s first female-centric docu-reality series, “Love in the City." Before entering the media business, Proctor practiced labor and employment defense law at Reed, Smith, Shaw & McClay in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Spelman College and a Juris Doctorate and Master of Science in Leadership from Duquesne University.
Seith Mann, Morehouse College, C‘95
Seith Mann is an award-winning writer, director and producer. He directed and executive produced every episode of the multiple Emmy Award-winning series #FREERAYSHAWN starring Laurence Fishburne, Stephan James and Jasmine Cephas Jones. He was the co-creator/co-showrunner/executive producer of the scripted series, THE BREAKS. He also wrote, directed and executive produced the original TV movie on which the series THE BREAKS was based. To date, he has written and directed one pilot and directed another four – all of which have gone to series. He has directed over fifty episodes of television, including episodes of THE WIRE, THE WALKING DEAD, RAISING DION, and HOMELAND. He has been nominated for a DGA Award, an Independent Spirit Award, a Gotham Award, six NAACP Image Awards and won two NAACP Image Awards. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and the Grad Film Program at NYU.
Derek ‘Fonzworth Bentley’ Watkins, Morehouse College, C‘96
Derek 'Fonzworth Bentley' Watkins is a dynamic artist, author, and strategist celebrated for his influence in fashion, music, and entertainment. GQ magazine has honored him as the “Crown Prince of Style” and the “First Gentleman of Hip Hop.” A Morehouse College graduate with a degree in biology, Watkins began his career at Ralph Lauren, quickly rising to become the top salesman in the Southeast region. This success led to his move to the iconic Polo Mansion on Madison Avenue in New York City, New York, where he continued to refine his fashion expertise at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
Watkins expanded his influence into media and entertainment. He produced and hosted MTV’s hit show From G's to Gents, which became a global success, topping ratings in 40 countries. As a New York Times best-selling author of "Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence and Style to Get Ahead," Watkins provided a modern etiquette guide to personal and professional development. On-air correspondent for Access Hollywood and guest appearances on major talk shows such as The Today Show, Late Show with David Letterman, and Jimmy Kimmel Live showcased his versatility as a media personality. As host of Lift Every Voice on BET, Watkins relished the opportunity to inspire his viewers with uplifting and in-depth conversations with top entertainers and thought leaders. His creative talents extend to acting and production, with credits in films such as "Think Like a Man Too," "Honey" and "Fat Albert."
He served as executive music producer and choreographer for the Emmy-winning Juneteenth episode of Blackish, earning the Guild of Music Supervisors Award for Best Original Song, which he co-wrote and produced. Additionally, he was the artistic director and choreographer for the American Music Awards opening sequence, hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, and the producer and creative director for the global worship movement Sunday Service. Watkins is a Grammy-nominated writer and producer, co-producing the Grammy-nominated single "Ultralight Beam," co-writer on "Waves," contributing to Kanye West’s "The Life of Pablo" and "Life of the Party" featuring Andre 3000. His original song and video "Everybody," featuring Kanye West and Andre 3000, was Apple Music’s first video spotlight. Watkins was also awarded an MTV Moonman for Fade by Kanye West feat. Teyanna Taylor, and served as producer for the operas Mary and Nebuchadnezzar, which debuted at The Hollywood Bowl and Lincoln Center.
Watkins has also collaborated with artists like Chance the Rapper, Cordae, and 2Chainz, and served as creative director and choreographer for projects such as Grown-ish and The Wedding Year, directed by Robert Luketic. His commitment to inspiring others is driven by his faith and dedication to philanthropy. He has been involved in the White House Fatherhood Initiative, is a board member of the Joseph E. Lowery Institute, and championed the UNCF Empower Me Tour, guiding future leaders. He has lectured at over 100 universities, including Morehouse College, Clemson University, Penn, LSU, and Harvard, inspiring students to pursue success. He also mentored aspiring media professionals through the Chevrolet Discover the Unexpected Fellowship Program and served as an advisor for STEM education programs in the Bahamas.
His passion for giving back is evident in his role as a host for charity events, including Morehouse College’s Candle in the Dark gala and producer of the HBCU Power Awards. Derek Watkins brings a rare blend of timeless sophistication and forward-thinking vision to every endeavor, setting the highest standards of creativity, innovation, and elegance. His broad experience across fashion, music and entertainment continues to shape cultural trends and inspire future generations. Watkins resides in Georgia with his wife, Faune and their two children.
Brittany Inge, C’2001
Brittany Inge is a multi-hyphenate artist and activist from Laurel, Maryland. She is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. and Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia — where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Inge moves proudly between stage and screen projects, having recently made her Broadway debut in the Kenny Leon-directed revival of “Home” by Samm-Art Williams. Her TV/Film career has included roles on Atlanta (FX), Dynasty (CW), The Game (Paramount+), and The Resident (FOX)— as well as the feature films, “Lethal Legacy” and “The Hate U Give.” Brittany spent two seasons portraying Crystal Garrett on Boomerang (the series); executive produced by Lena Waithe and Halle Berry. Currently, Inge can be seen portraying Ashley James — the eldest child of the title character on the 3x Emmy-nominated sitcom, The Ms. Pat Show, streaming now on BET Plus!
Session: Behind the Scenes With Ariana Gibbs and Carl Ulysses Bowen
Location: Beverly Daniel Tatum Suites, Private Dining Room
Ariana Gibbs is an attorney with eight years of legal experience. Currently, she practices at Gibbs Travis law firm, where she specializes in civil litigation. Gibbs is also a stylist and 705 costumer. She has worked with artists such as Khalid, Kofi Soriboe, and Wanda Sykes. Ariana also has credits working on television shows such as "Presumed Innocent," "Unprisoned," '"The Upshaws," and "Reboot." Additionally, in 2024, Gibbs started Ari G LLC., which provides image consulting and personal styling services to help individuals look their best for any occasion. Gibbs graduated cum laude from Spelman College with a Bachelor's Degree in English and earned a J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2016. During her matriculation at Spelman College, she joined the MuPi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., was a member of the P.U.L.S.E. Programming Board, served as a Spelman Ambassador, and was a tutor in the Writing Center. In her free time, Gibbs enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and searching for her next fashion find.
Carl Ulysses Bowen, Morehouse, C‘2005
Carl Ulysses Bowen has always been fascinated with what he could create with his hands. As a child, in his hometown of Riverdale, Georgia, he could be found breaking things down, only to build them back up again. In grade school, he was an avid artist and could be seen drawing portraits, in his own sketchbook. The school administration would also request that his work be exhibited in hallways in the form of murals. In high school, he played numerous instruments in the jazz band and the marching band while also spending his free time playing varsity baseball, basketball, and running cross country.
Although adversity changed the course of his hopes and dreams to play in the MLB, Bowen received a partial baseball scholarship to compete at Morehouse College. When not in the field, he excelled in laboratories, dissecting animals and studying the human body with hopes of becoming a pediatrician. It wasn’t until the second semester of his junior year that he decided that medicine was not for him. While modeling and sketching garments never before seen, he took a chance on a basic construction course at Clark Atlanta University and fell in love with the art of sewing. From that day on, he began his journey with the dying art of tailoring. Soon after completing his matriculation at Morehouse College, Bowne was blessed with a tailoring apprenticeship, where he learned the tailoring techniques that he utilizes today.
After the three-month apprenticeship, young entertainers like Janelle Monae and Fonzworth Bentley believed in him so much that they granted him some of his first tailoring jobs, contracts, and projects. In 2009, Bowen moved to New York City, where he resided for five years, tailoring for both celebrities and personal clientele. In 2013, he returned to his home state of Georgia and tailored for his first film, "Barely Lethal." Since then, Carl has made his mark in the film industry, working as a tailor for more than 50 television shows and films, with the Oscar-award-winning Black Panther being the most prestigious film that he has been blessed to be a part of. Some of his custom garments can be seen in films where he helped the position of head tailor, such as They Cloned Tyrone with Jamie Foxx, Emancipation with Will Smith, and The Color Purple Musical, which won the NAACP Image Award for Best Costume Design.
In 2017, the Carl Ulysses Showroom opened to the public. Located within walking distance from The Shoppes at Buckhead, the CU showroom served as a place of business where alterations were completed for both men and women, garments were constructed for films shot throughout Atlanta, and custom suiting and shirting were designed and tailored for personal clients. After six years, Bowen married the love of his life, Mikhol. Together, they decided that the business should move in another direction and focus on its personal celebrity clients. Over the last three years, Bowen has worked on the Mariah Carey tour and the Neyo tour served as Jeezy’s personal tailor and is one of the current tailors for Usher’s "Past, Present, and Future" tour. He is also diligently working on releasing capsule collections next year. The garments and accessories that will be included in these releases are watches, driving gloves, shoes, suits and also casual clothing.
“Do your work and let it speak for you!” – Carl Ulysses Bowen
Session: Industry Insight With Cici Kelly, C’2022, Director Spelman Dance Theatre Cici Kelley, a dynamic force in the world of performance arts, has etched her presence across diverse stages, be it in theaters, studios, concert venues, or even on the vibrant canvas of a football field. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia and honing her skills under the tutelage of renowned dance educators at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, she has crafted a versatile career that transcends the boundaries of dance genres and extends into various industries.
From the realm of sports to the dynamic arena of advertising and the captivating world of entertainment, Kelley's influence resonates far and wide. Kelley's dance journey reached iconic heights as she shared the stage with Beyoncé, leaving an indelible mark on the Radio City Music Hall stage. Her participation in Beyoncé's "Get Me Bodied" music video and the electrifying performance of the chart-topping "Single Ladies" at the 2009 MTV VMAs solidified Kelley's presence among the elite in the world of dance. Her artistic footprint extends beyond the confines of the dance floor, gracing theatrical stages across the United States in a myriad of productions. Noteworthy among these are captivating performances in acclaimed stage shows such as "The Wilson Pickett Project," "The Satin Dolls: A Duke Ellington Review," and Je’Caryaous Johnson's spectacular "BAPS Live: The Musical."
Kelly's talent caught the discerning eye of film director Jon Turtletaub, who entrusted her with dance directions for the multiple award-winning actor Morgan Freeman in the blockbuster hit "Last Vegas" and the film "BOLDEN," directed by Dan Pritzker. Kelley's artistic contributions can also be noted in the Netflix movie, "The Outlaws," featuring a star-studded cast including Pierce Brosnan, Nina Dobrev and Adam DeVine. In each endeavor, Kelly's work resonates with a distinctive blend of creativity and precision, leaving an indelible mark on both stage and screen.
Kelley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography from Spelman College, a professional certification in trauma and resilience-informed pedagogy for college student wellbeing from Florida State University, Women In Leadership from Emory University (completion November 2024), and a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of the Arts, where she further honed her scholarship and research. Beyond the accolades of placing her choreography on numerous stages, film productions, and with various artists, Kelley is deeply committed to shaping the future of dance. Her specific research interest dives deep into the theory of diasporic spidering, and the kinship of Black womanhood through griot communication and Sankofa theory and practice.
Currently serving as a senior lecturer, first-year advisor, and director of Spelman Dance Theatre, she plays a pivotal role at her alma mater, Spelman College. In the Department of Dance Performance and Choreography, Kelley imparts her wealth of knowledge and experience to eager dance students, contributing to their growth and development. Through her multifaceted roles, Kelley not only continues to excel in the world of dance but also invests in the education and mentorship of the next generation of performers at Spelman College and beyond.
Session: Taking Labels Off With Tanell Vashawn Allen, C’2009
Tanell Vashawn Allen knows how to take the labels off. In her book "From Special Ed to Spelman," Allen shows how she fought against the odds to achieve her dream of attending Spelman College, despite being labeled as having a learning disability and an emotional disorder. She explores the impact of labels that the educational system assigns to students with disabilities. She challenges her readers to re-examine how we choose to label students as “other” who may have a “different” or alternative learning style, or a style that does not fit into the “banking system” of learning.
Allen also shares some tips and resources she used to help her excel and accomplish her dreams. These useful tips may also help others with disabilities level out the playing field in their everyday life, school, or work. In sharing her personal story, she illustrates how her faith in God motivated her to fight against the odds. She provides her readers with more “pearls of wisdom” to help them strive to be more confident in their intellectual and creative abilities. Allen challenges her readers to take the labels that have been placed on them or to flip the label to “make the label work” for them without restricting the greatness inside of them. Tanell Vashawn Allen is an author, preacher, television host, poet, plus-size model, international and national motivational speaker, life coach, and advocate for students with disabilities. Tanell grew up in Dade City, Florida. She started public speaking at the age of fifteen. She has spoken at youth events, inspirational women's luncheons, spoken word (poetry) nights, community events, and international women's conferences.
Allen graduated from Spelman with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and has an MDiv from Mercer University. She taught at Peking University in Beijing, China, and os Mocha's founder and CEO of My Coffee. Allen also founded the Latté Project, which mentors teen girls, helps foster positive self-esteem and self-awareness, and develops leadership skills to hone the greatness inside of them for the next chapter of their lives. She has hosted a preaching and motivation broadcast on the Daily Gospel Network and worked at Restoration Economic Solutions, a non-profit organization in Brooklyn, New York, that teaches financial literacy to close the wealth gap for minorities.
Allen also co-owns Mocha’s Treats, which specializes in Southern comfort desserts and pasties. She is passionate about hosting national and international empowerment conferences, inspiring others to cultivate the greatness inside of them, and hosting “Mornings with Mocha.” She currently resides in Dade City, Florida, and works bi-vocational at Everyday Blessings Inc. as the program coordinator.
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