NEEMA BARNETTE

Writer, Producer, Executive Producer of BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS.

Prominent, innovative and prolific, director and producer Neema Barnette has engaged audiences with a body of compelling socially- and politically-charged work that defies the narrow stereotypes of African-Americans usually depicted in entertainment. Working in both television and film, Barnette has earned the respect of peers and critics alike by winning countless accolades.

Neema changed the game by becoming the FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN IN TELEVISION TO DIRECT A SITCOM and the FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO RECEIVE A THREE PICTURE DEAL FROM A MAJOR STUDIO in history. Neema has directed over 50 hours of network television, 10 movies for television and four feature films including CIVIL BRAND and WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED ON THE 7th DAY.

Neema Barnette has won many Best Directing awards including a EMMY AWARD and several Emmy Nominations, a Directors Guild of America Award, an NAACP Image Award & 3 Nominations, the Delta Lilly Award, an Adelco Award, a International Monitor Award for THE COSBY SHOW and the PEABODY AWARD.

Her most recent feature film “WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED ON THE 7th DAY” recieved an NAACP IMAGE AWARD nomination for BEST INDEPENDENT FEATURE in 2012 Neema’s feature films have also garnered awards. CIVIL BRAND won the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) HBO Audience Blockbuster Award, the Urban World Film Festival Audience & Best Picture Award and was an official selection of both the Sundance & AFI Film Festivals. In addition, Neema is the very proud receiptant of The Peabody Award, An Reel Sistas Trailblazer Award and the Sojourner Truth Award at Cannes.

Click to watch clip’s from some of Neema Barnette’s Film’s

REED R. McCANTS

Creator, Producer, Writer, Director, Editor, Narrator of BACK HISTORY MINI DOCS

Reed, a 30-year veteran of film, television and stage, has always been committed and devoted to preserving and nurturing the Arts in the Afro-American community. A product of Harlem in New York City, Reed feels "It is essential to give back". Subsequently he has created or co-founded three theatre companies in New York and Los Angeles. The Renaissance Drama Company (1981- 1985), Rainbow Connection Theatre (1986 - 1988), Rebirth Drama Company (1989 - 1993) and he is the founder of the Live Theatre Gang (1996 - 2006). During these tenures, he has produced and or directed well over 200 plays. In Los Angeles, at the Rebirth Drama Company, Kym Whitley (Next Friday, Raising Whitley), AJ Saunders (A Different World) and Tommy Ford (Martin) are among some of the actors who received their first acting lessons from Reed and co-founder Juney Smith. He was also the coach for Keshia Knight Pullium and other young actors on “The Cosby Show” during its last three seasons.

He appeared in over 50 television commercials with leads in Xerox, Humira, McDonalds, Budweiser, General Motors and the first Diet Coke commercial for television. As a actor Reed has appeared in Hill Street Blues, A Different World and several films for television included Disney's Justin Case, Run for the Dream: The Gail Deavers Story and Road Raiders costarring opposite Bruce Boxleitner. Reed has also starred in such feature films as "Project X" starring Matthew Broderick, "Civil Brand" which also stars Mos Def and "Woman Thou Art Loosed: On The 7th Day”, produced by T.D. Jakes and starring Blair Underwood and Pam Grier. Reed’s directorial debut was "Cuttin Da Mustard", the award winning comedy self-bio film featuring Brandon T. Jackson (“Tropic Thunder”), Keshia Knight Pulliam, (The Cosby Show”, “Madea Goes to Jail”), award-winning actor Charles S. Dutton, and Comedian Sinbad. Currently Reed is the creator of BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS and a comedy web series spinoff of his feature film “Cuttin Da Mustard” entitled “40 and Leroy”.

AH-KEISHA McCANTS

Writer, Producer, Narrator and Chef Editor for BHMD Blog

Ah-Keisha is senior editor at Duende literary journal. Her bi-coastal NYC/LA upbringing prepared her well for being married with kids in the city-burbs of PA. A poet, filmmaker, playwright, and songwriter, Ah-Keisha has written for television, film, and recording artists Olu Dara and Cassandra Wilson. She’s inspired by the work of Lorraine Hansberry, Bertolt Brecht, Tennessee Williams, Toni Morrison, and Amiri Baraka. She has been featured in Source Magazine, Village Voice, Backstage and the Courier Post. Ah-Keisha enjoys mini adventures with her kids, pointed discourse, laughter, and proudly boasts she’s never had a cavity.

WHAT IS BHMD?

Legendary Producer and Filmmaker Neema Barnette (Civil Brand, Women thou Art Loosed: On The 7th Day) presents Black History Mini Docs. These are a fast and entertaining way to educate young and old about the varying contributions of Blacks in American history. Think of it as the "Cliff Notes" for the digital age.

Barnette teams up with her husband Reed R. McCants (Cuttin’ Da Mustard), also an award winning filmmaker. Reed brings his unique style of storytelling to chronicle the many contributions and achievements of the African-American throughout history.

The series will feature the stories of Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Madam CJ Walker and Malcolm X along with great living legends like Muhammad Ali, Angela Davis and Harry Belafonte. Contemporary heroes like Tupac Shakur will be included as well as everyday un-sung heroes in the Black community who have devoted their life’s work to upholding the race and giving back.

Black Mini Docs is designed as a crash course in Black history. It meets the demands of our fast paced digital age by using quick cuts and cinematic savvy. Designed for easy access, the series will be used on smart phones, computers and all media outlets. Black Mini Docs is a commercial for REAL HISTORY.