Our Team
Kyle Marshall
Kyle has a wealth of diverse experience in Operations, Information Technology, Customer Service, Sales Management, Business Process and Program/Project Management. He has worked for several Fortune 250 companies in key leadership positions. Kyle’s leadership has allowed him to play an instrumental role in helping these companies become more efficient and effective through leading enterprise wide programs/projects, driving global process improvements that drives sustainable results for the organizations.
Starr Gadson
A VIP Experience Executive, specializes in creating custom packages that fit the specific needs and goals of each client, whether they are looking to boost morale, host an appreciation event, plan a fundraiser, or enjoy a night out.
President, Dark Berry Distribution
Ken Hoyd, received a Juris Doctorate from DePaul College of Law and practiced Sports and Entertainment Law for 15 years prior to pursuing his passion for writing and producing. In 2010, he and partners formed an independent production company and produced and distributed several projects including several music videos, television show “The Cultural Xchange”, documentaries “Gonein an Instant” (2024), “Advice From Survivors of the Jheri Curl Era” (2025) and feature films “Mollywood” (2018) and “Long Division” (2024).
Mike Abrantie
Vice President of Production
A well experienced, resourceful, and imaginative creative professional with 8+ years of experience locally and internationally. Versed in the areas of both digital and live production, content development & strategy, creative direction, logistics management, creative marketing, and all around management of the creative process across applications. With a focus on client and team facing interaction I'm seeking a position that provides the opportunity to innovate the way consumers engage brands.
Portia King
Executive Media Advisor
Portia King is a media enthusiast with experience in on air broadcast and production in TV and radio. Portia's confidence and enchanting personality have allowed her to work with various local and national outlets.
Ken Hoyde
Charles Borg
Director of Development & XL Lab
Charles Borg is an award-winning writer/producer with an MFA in Screenwriting from Chapman University. He's co-written/co-edited a number of feature films, including Three Worlds (AppleTV), MAN (Tubi - winner of the CICFF's "Golden Fox Award"), as well as Caiman and Young Ali (both in post-production). He runs "Smash To: Script Consulting" and has worked with creatives from likes of Pixar, Disney, Bad Robot, Nasdaq Studios, FUSE, and Circle of Confusion. Charles crafts feature film treatments, Bibles, and pitch packages, as well as ghostwrites feature scripts and pilots.
Patrick Wimp
Development & Production Executive
Patrick is the first MFA graduate from DePaul University Digital Cinema. Throughout his career, he has written and produced films, commercials, and TV series all over the world. Pat is the co-founder and owner of Digital Hydra, an Emmy award-winning production company that has crafted commercial and creative content for a variety of major brands and entities including Facebook, HBO, McDonald's, The Chicago Bulls, Cubs, and Blackhawks. It is also one of the largest content producers in Middle Eastern markets.
Dani Jackson
Director of Brand Partnerships
Dani Jackson-Smith is an award-winning creative powerhouse and a passionate advocate for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion both in the industry and beyond. With a career spanning major milestones, Dani has made her mark as a leader who not only drives innovative campaigns but also ensures that diverse voices are represented in every project.
NK Gutierrez
Director of Festival Programing
Gutiérrez herself brings a strong background in multiple facets of the entertainment industry. As an actor and onscreen presence, her multiple credits include the likes of Showtime’s The Chi, NBC’s Chicago Fire and her 4th run of the hit show, La Gringa, at the 2022 Puerto Rican International Theater Festival in San Juan. Additionally she has served as an Intimacy Coordinator on film & TV sets as well as teaching mindful employee care practices in the corporate and nonprofit space. Gutiérrez serves as the co-chair of the Black Harvest Film Festival, Head of Programming for the XL Festival and Lead of the Film Club at Soho House Chicago.
ryan tippery
Creative Executive
Creative Associate
LaTaryion Perry aka L.T. was born and raised in the Midwest in Gary, IN and currently a resident of Chicago, IL. He started out in film as a teenager doing various extra work & PA gigs as they came in while in high school. During his senior year of high school is when everything got more serious, He got his first speaking role on Showtime network “The Chi” executive produced by fellow Chicago native Lena Waithe, and business partners Elwood Reid, Aaron Kaplan. Through hard work and this amazing opportunity led LaTaryion to numerous other television and movie gigs.
Jordan Sweet
Digital Engament Strategist
Jordan Sweet is a digital marketing strategist and content creator with a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Illinois Chicago, specializing in Digital Marketing & Promotions. He has secured notable partnerships with brands like Marc Nolan, Levi’s, and was selected as a Hoorae Media x Walmart Creator Kit recipient. Currently a Digital Engagement Specialist at the American Planning Association, Jordan drives innovative strategies that enhance consumer experiences and elevate brand engagement. With expertise in content creation across all social channels, he crafts compelling campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. As a signed model and actor with BMG (Chicago, LA, ATL), Jordan blends creativity and strategic thinking to help brands influence culture and stand out in today’s digital landscape.
Tippery makes stuff look dope.
LaTaryion PERRY “LT”
Troy pryor
Founder & CEO
TROY OSBORNE PRYOR IS A MEDIA PRODUCER AND HOST WITH THE SUPERPOWER OF CONNECTING WITH WIDE AUDIENCES.
Pryor serves as Vice President of SAG-AFTRA Chicago & founder of Creative Cypher, a portfolio of media entertainment brands, including XL Film Fest, Dark Berry Productions, Cypher Live & more. Pryor’s directorial debut on TV One’s Change Agents led to a host of award-winning collaborations across multiple platforms. He was nominated for ADColor Innovator of the Year and most recently won a Telly Award for the film “An Outfit.
Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Events
Braintrust
-
Lamorne Morris
Actor, Producer
-
Robin Robinson
Journalist, Host
-
Louis Carr
President, BET Media Sales
-
TATEMEN ENTERTAIMENT
Larenz, Laron, Lahmarrd Tate
-
Diallo Riddle
Writer, Actor, Producer
-
Bashir Salahuddin
Writer, Actor, Producer
-
Cynthia Kaye McWilliams
Writer, Actor, Producer
-
Regina Taylor
Director, Writer, Actor, Producer
-
DAVE JEFF
Brand Architect
-
Yolonda Ross
Writer, Actor, Producer, Designer
-
Pemon Rami
Director, Producer, Author
-
Alessandra Pinkston
Writer, Actor
-
Kurt Cherry
Founder, Fertile Ground Factory
-
Dana Gills
Vice President, Monkey Paw Productions
-
Brenda Gilbert
Producer
-
Chris Baccus
Financial Advisor
-
E. Micheaux
Creative Consultant
-
Vee L. Harrison
Journalist
-
Qadree Holmes
Founder, Quriosity Productions
-
RJ Inawat
Legal Advisor
-
Lynn Solar
Live Event Producer
-
Zena Tuitt
Operations & Strategy Advisory
-
Danita Patterson
Founder, Destiny Outreach
-
Cesar Rolan
Founder, Imagen Consultants
-
Erica Duffy
Co-Founder, Camera Ambassador
-
Kelley Kali
Director, Writer, Producer
-
Sean Harden
Political Advisor
-
Teri Arvesu González
Vice President, Univision