Courtney Sims is a film and stage actor turned screenwriter-playwright-director. She recently graduated May 2020 from Clemson University with her B.A. in Production Studies and Performing Arts, while also receiving minors in both Screenwriting and Film Studies. At Clemson, Sims had the privilege of acting in short films (Liar Liar, Love Needs No Light) as well as Clemson Player stage plays (John Proctor is the Villain, She Kills Monsters). She’s also written tv pilots and plays during her time at Clemson.

Growing up, her passion in life was always for the arts, whether it be for the film or the stage. Since then, this same passion has blossomed into her drive and hunger for telling the colorful, authentic stories of Black Americans through the lens of Black Americans. This is why Sims believes this documentary is so necessary to the times, and she is grateful to be a part of it.

Karen is a native of South Carolina, born and raised by her parents in Loris. She received her Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology at Clemson University in 2008. While at Clemson, Karen became drawn to research and joined a Creative Inquiry team in the Psychology department where she analyzed qualitative data exploring the identity development of young adult African American women. She went on to attend Clark Atlanta University, receiving her Masters Degree in Social Work with a focus on health and mental health in 2010.

Karen has been Whitney’s biggest critic and supporter since they entered into each other’s life 30+ years ago. Karen is also Whitney’s older, and only sister and morally obligated to help when called upon. She is excited to locate historical insights and gather data for this film. When Karen is not working she enjoys spending time with her 2 year old son, cooking, listening to comedy podcasts, and playing computer games with her husband. 

Stephanie Jones is a passionate storyteller hailing from Tulsa, OK. She is drawn to stories that explore black history and truly loves telling stories that are often overlooked. She started her career in marketing and is now transitioning to filmmaking, to create content about subjects that are dear to her heart.  She continues to develop her knowledge and skills through reading, higher education, workshops, and YouTube tutorials. She is currently attaining a Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Southern California.

A proud Chanticleer, she received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and holds a Social Marketing certification. During her undergraduate experience at CCU, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Qualashan hones her writing skills through freelance writing and marketing jobs. After graduating from Coastal Carolina University, she immediately obtained a position with Fuel Interactive agency as an intern for MyrtleBeach.com. She curated and managed web content and advertisements for special events throughout the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand areas. In 2015 she launched the I Journi blog, which focuses on Travel, Lifestyle, and Daily Inspiration. During the summer months, you can find her teaching English to international students.

India Y. Ali is a Georgia native, born and raised in the Lithonia/Decatur area. In addition to providing legal services, Ali is an entrepreneur, basketball coach, artist and philanthropist. Attorney Ali also manages a real estate investment company, Ali Investments and Consulting, LLC. She is heavily involved in her community, launching volunteer outreach programs and she currently offers donation-based legal seminars.

Attorney Ali is also a board member for The Starr Institute, an Atlanta based nonprofit organization focused on the prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation. With basketball and giving back being near and dear to her heart, she financially sponsors sports programs in Dekalb County and offers individual and team training sessions for student-athletes. Presently, Attorney Ali is the Assistant Basketball Coach of the Lady Panthers at her alma mater, Southwest DeKalb High School, in Decatur, Georgia.

She holds a Business Marketing and Fine Arts degree from Hofstra University where she played NCAA Division I basketball. Attorney Ali received her Juris Doctorate and Masters in Business Administration from North Carolina Central University School of Law and School of Business in 2013.

Raven-Symone Simon is a native of Timmonsville, SC, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a graduate of Clemson University.  While at Clemson earning a B.S. in Accounting, Raven developed a unique set of skills that helped propel her to leadership within the accounting profession at an early age. 

Raven’s fierce ability to understand accounting principles placed her at the forefront of introducing robotic automation which led to her spending time abroad in Europe while leading a small team in the US. She’s been employed by several Fortune 500 corporations such as Duke Energy in Charlotte, NC, and General Electric and Ernst & Young in Cincinnati, OH.

Raven currently resides in Cincinnati, OH where she manages her own technologically advanced CPA firm which has deemed her being regarded as “The Firm of the Future”