Creative Cypher is an entertainment ecosystem founded by Troy Pryor.

Established as a dynamic collective of 30 Black storytellers in Chicago, Creative Cypher has grown into a global network of entertainment partners. Its mission is to “eliminate the need for permission” by producing, consulting, and operating a diverse portfolio of media and entertainment ventures. The organization serves as a resource bank for visionaries, fostering organic collaboration among hundreds of diverse creators and providing access to industry professionals who guide and empower independent artists.

TROY PRYOR

FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN

Troy Osborne Pryor is a 2 x Emmy-Nominated, 4x Telly winning, creator and radio host. Pryor has spent the better part of two decades not just navigating the entertainment industry as an actor & producer—but reshaping it. A media producer, host, and visionary strategist with the innate gift of connecting with diverse audiences, Pryor built a legacy rooted in access, authenticity, and audacious innovation.

As Vice President of SAG-AFTRA Chicago and the founder of Creative Cypher—an expansive network of ventures including XL Film Fest, Cypher Newsroom, Dark Berry Productions, and catalog of media ventures—Pryor crafted a new structure in entertainment. One that feels like the golden era of Hollywood deal-making, but with a bold, inclusive twist. Through Creative Cypher, he doesn’t just make content—he builds communities, championing BIPOC creators and bridging overlooked talent.

Leadership