8th Annual BRIC Media Maker Weekend: AI-volution | Day 1, Oct. 27

Datwon Thomas is the Editor-In-Chief of VIBE and Vice President of Cultural Media for Penske Media Corporation.

Datwon has held positions as Founder and Editorial Director of the men’s lifestyle guide, KING Magazine, the urban car enthusiast’s favorite, RIDES Magazine and was the
Editor-in-Chief of hip-hop’s street authority, XXL Magazine. In addition, he’s also presided as Founder/Editorial Director of XXL Presents Hip-Hop Soul, a publication dedicated to documenting the successful hybrid genre of R&B and Hip-Hop. These trailblazing information outlets boasted a collective circulation that climbed into the millions.

Datwon worked in the digital content space as Editor-In-Chief of the Sean “Diddy” Combs affiliated e-commerce and music news shop Hookt.com and was also the COO/EIC of Russell Simmons’ multicultural hip-pop website, GlobalGrind.com. He soon added television commentator to his list of talents as an entertainment lifestyle expert on VH1’s Fabulous Life of… series, various BET and MTV specials and numerous radio appearances. In recent years, Datwon has entered the live television space as consulting producer for Dick Clark Productions’ flagship programs including the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

A Brooklyn, New York native, Datwon lived in Japan and New Mexico and believes his many travels abroad helped shape his holistic perspective on urban/pop culture. Datwon resides in Queens, NY with his wife and three daughters.

Born & raised in Detroit, Michigan, Jazzie Belle first began her career as a glamour model and was featured in all the A-List entertainment magazines throughout the world! Determined to never remain stagnant, Jazzie took a path in media and received her big break by landing a co-hosting position at Eminem's Shade45 on SiriusXM. After 4 years at the very popular hip hop station, reaching millions of listeners daily, she felt compelled to create a platform that focused on the many talents, and influences from women that contributed to the culture that are oftentimes unsung & unappreciated. And with that in mind, the immensely popular, “Women in Hip Hop” Podcast was born.

Jazzie's mission with the podcast is to inspire women everywhere to overcome any obstacles & adversities faced in the workplace due to their gender; especially in a male dominated field. She had the pleasure in interviewing some of your favorite Women in Hip Hop such as, the pioneer of female rappers Roxanne Shante, West Coast star and protege of rapper/actor Ice Cube, Yo-Yo, Multi Platinum R&B superstar Faith Evans & "The Queen of all Media", Wendy Williams. Wendy went on record to say that she enjoyed Jazzie’s interview with her so much that she called her & I quote "The Next Generation.”

Soon after, the Daytime Diva invited Ms. Belle on her national syndicated talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, where Jazzie dished on the latest in entertainment news and celebrity gossip in the segment entitled "Inside Scoop”.

In 2018, Jazzie Belle was presented with The Trailblazer Award in radio/broadcast at The Black Women in Media Awards. Other honorees included fellow personalities Flo Anthony & Angela Yee. In 2019, Jazzie Belle was featured on E! True Hollywood Story: Does Hip Hop Reject Women, a special that discussed the evolution of female rappers. Currently, Jazzie Belle can be seen and heard discussing the importance of amplifying black women's voices and encouraging young girls to be self-sufficient and confident through the lens of hip hop.

You can also catch Jazzie Belle interviewing A-List celebrities such as Will Smith, Oprah & Martin Lawrence while covering Hollywood’s most prestigious events, press junkets and red carpets for vibe.com & for her highly respected media outlet TheInsideHollywood.com.

There’s no limit to what Jazzie Belle can accomplish, prevailing at any role given to her and continuing to evolve in her career. As media giant Wendy Williams put it, Jazzie Belle is and will be “The Next Generation” in media.

Mike IRAK / REHAB is an American multimedia artist and designer. He is one of the original founding members of the legendary IRAK CREW and also the founder of the brand PRICEBUSTERS. Alongside Kunle Martins and IRAK crew, they would redefine the faces of late 90’s downtown New York City art, Graffiti and Fashion scenes. Mike REHAB has had work featured at Superchief Gallery NFT, ALIFE, DDP Museum Seoul Korea, and Recently at Nox Gallery in Tokyo Japan.

The Visceral Glitch is the artistic alter ego of Daniel Kramer, a Brooklyn-based digital video artist. Growing up, Daniel experienced an unexplained sense of dread and imminent collapse, envisioning a chaotic world crumbling around him. It was only through a psychedelic experience that he made a profound connection to his deep-seated inter-generational trauma, inherited from his family's history of fleeing persecution and surviving war.

In 2018, Daniel began creating glitched-up and broken images, initially unaware of the underlying motivation behind his passion. However, he soon realized that his art served as a transmutation of fearful energy into something beautiful. By embracing destruction, Daniel found a way to create new worlds and share them with his audience.

His art process involves manipulating original photos of unconventional shapes, colors, and textures. Through a series of digital apps, pixels are manipulated, layers are torn apart, and broken landscapes emerge. Instead of representing death and chaos, these vibrant creations rise from the ashes.

Inspired by the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi, which embraces the beauty of imperfection, The Visceral Glitch celebrates the raw and messy aspects of art. It disrupts comfort zones and stimulates the mind, inviting viewers to explore a realm that transcends fear and leads to profound creativity.

In experiencing The Visceral Glitch's unique creations, Daniel hopes to challenge perceptions and evoke a visceral response. His art is a testament to the transformative power of embracing destruction, reminding us that destruction is never the end, but a gateway to new beginnings.

Through his glitched-up art, Daniel invites us to question our comfort zones and discover beauty in imperfection. Get ready to be captivated by the raw and thought-provoking world of The Visceral Glitch

LEOWUZHERE Studio was established in 2008 by Leo to offer bespoke creative services. They specialize in producing visually engaging content, including video, fine art projects, photography, and event documentation. Leo has over twenty years of experience in providing creative solutions for various industries, including corporate, fashion, entertainment, art, and non-profit sectors. His studio has collaborated with renowned brands like Unilever, Thomson Reuters, Nasdaq, Yum Brands, and Goodenough College in London. Leo's team offers comprehensive video production and training services, from ideation to delivery, as well as art creation using both physical and digital tools. They also specialize in creating effective marketing materials for organizations such as BAM, 351 ARTS, BRIC Arts Media, and Wide Awakes. LEOWUZHERE Studio has taught in after-school programs and community workshops for underprivileged areas in New York and London.

Valerie Viard is a researcher and writer born to Haitian parents in Queens, NY. Currently enrolled in Hunter College's Digital Sociology master's program, her research focuses on the ways in which Black people engage with and are influenced by the ever-evolving landscape of the internet and emerging technologies. To support her thesis, she conducted research that explores the profound effects of social media on the perceptions of relationships among Black people.

This work culminated in the publication of an essay called, “is this love real?”, accompanied by an engaging podcast. In her essay, she coined the term 'digital tie signs,' a concept she coined to blend the ideas of Erving Goffman's tie signs with the realm of digital love, shedding light on the complex dynamics of modern relationships.

In the summer of 2022, she worked with the Crypto Research and Design Lab, where she explored Black individuals' experiences within the evolving landscape of Web 3. The research explored issues of financial inclusion, the engagement of marginalized communities with new technologies, and the policy and social implications of the adoption and scaling of emerging technologies. She has presented this research to the staff of the CFTC, and the research has been cited in Congressional testimony and by Harvard and Columbia doctoral students. Her contributions to this field are pivotal in understanding the intersection of race and technology in the crypto space.

Her dedication to understanding and illuminating the intricate relationships between Black culture, emerging technologies, and her work stands as a testament to the power of research and storytelling in driving meaningful conversations about the digital age we inhabit. Currently, Valerie is channeling her energy and creativity into writing and directing her first documentary.

I’m both a fine art and commercial photographer, operating from my base in Brooklyn, NY. Besides my core photographic endeavors, I am also privileged to instruct aspiring photographers at BRIC Arts in Brooklyn. Before stepping into the world of professional commercial photography, I honed my skills at the School of Visual Arts and gained industry experience as a photo editor in various photo agencies. My fervor for creating arresting visuals isn't limited to still photography, as I’ve also ventured into professional filmmaking. The works of classic photographers like Bernice Abbott, Walker Evans and Saul Leiter (to name a few) fuel my inspiration. My wide-ranging portfolio embraces subjects in both black and white as well as color. I staunchly stand by the idea that a great photo isn't dependent on the equipment but the eye behind it, leading me to shoot with an array of gear, from high-end Fujifilm cameras to the ever-reliable iPhone. Parallel to my photography journey, I co-host the well-liked podcast "Street Shots," dedicated to the art of photography.

Amy Andrieux is an award-winning media executive, curator, writer, and educator grounded in global arts and culture programming.

Over the years, her creative talents have helped to shape media companies like TRACE, The Source; Red Bull Media House, and MTV World where she became Viacom’s first Black Editorial Director in 2012. As a storyteller, Amy has interviewed an array of notables including Spike Lee, Pharrell Williams, Wangechi Mutu, Shepard Fairey, Edwidge Danticat, Ishmael Reed, Donald Glover, Rem Koolhaas, Ishmael Reed, Bethann Hardison, and countless others.

As Executive Director and Chief Curator at The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art (MoCADA), Amy's work celebrates the artistic and cultural breadth of Africa and its diaspora while advancing conversations about issues impacting Black communities worldwide. Through exhibitions, special public art commissions, community gatherings, workshops, and more, she amplifies “voices” that are central to the Black experience to transform people and neighborhoods near and far.

In 2020, Amy was honored with a Trailblazer Award from The 400 Years of African-American History Commission, and more recently, received a proclamation by NYC Council's first Black woman Speaker, Adrienne Adams.

Always dedicated to service, Amy is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Integrated Design Strategies program at New School University, Parsons School of Design, where she guides students building projects at the intersection of social impact and art & design. She is a staunch
supporter of the United Order of the Tents (the oldest Black sisterhood in the US), and a former mentor at New Inc, an arts business incubator of the New Museum. Amy also serves as a board member of New Yorkers for Culture & Arts (NY4CA) as well as the Downtown Brooklyn Arts
Alliance. She is also the Founder of the Arts Alliance of Africa and the Diaspora, a network of arts leaders dedicated to the lasting legacy and preservation of Black arts + cultural institutions worldwide.

During her down time Amy is a filmmaker who is developing a historical fiction loosely based on her family's migration from Haiti to America. The special project has received support from WarnerMedia OneFifty.

Kim Marshall, Director & Founder, Wilson Marshall PR & Special Events

Kim Marshall is the award-winning Director + Founder of Wilson Marshall PR+Events, a New York City based boutique communications company performing influencer relations, public relations, social media and special event services. Established in 2012, her company specializes in providing communication services for enterprising entrepreneurial companies + personalities and engaging non-profit organizations. In 2020 Ms. Marshall introduced a new division, WM Experiences, for hospitality and lifestyle clients.

Ms. Marshall is a native New Yorker and has twenty years and counting of communications experience within the for profit and non-profit sector across New York City.

Ms. Marshall is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY) and attended Brooklyn College and Parsons School of Design.

Ms. Marshall is the 2023 Crain's New York Business Notable Leader in Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, 2023 NYC Celebrates Women honoree, 2022 Power Women of Manhattan by Schneps Media award recipient and 2020 Trailblazer of the Year award recipient by Harlem Fashion Week. She received a 2021 Ragan PR award nomination for “Best Media Relations Award” campaign. Ms. Marshall has been featured in various media outlets including: Black Food Folks, Industry Standard, Publicist, PR Girl Rant, Self, Vogue and has spoken on several career panels for The Event Planner Expo, CommGenius, Luminary NYC and NYC Celebrates Women. She is a member of Forbes BLK, Women in Hospitality United, Women in PR and Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership Success Circles.

She is a proud Board member of New York City Children’s Theater. Ms. Marshall is former Co-Chair of the Student Leadership Team at the Locke School of Art & Engineering (PS 185M).

Ms. Marshall lives in New York and loves her family, especially her awesome son, Mandela.

Born in Brooklyn raised in Queens, Esther knows the importance and value of representation in the world. Having formerly sat as an Education City Council Representative for District 29, Lelievre worked to make equitable changes in the education system by collaborating with councilmembers of various districts. Esther is the CEO of MWBE Queen Mixxy Media and Founder of The Lelievre Foundation.

With a history in serving the needs of youth through education and media training, Esther has organized 4 youth programs on Career/Business Exploration, Entrepreneurship, Cannabis Education, and Financial Literacy. Esther’s passion for youth education is highlighted by Queen Mixxy Media’s work with local nonprofit & the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. For three years Esther organized the operation of the Mermaid Parade as well the youth-education program Behind The Sideshow, a STEM Workshop focused on disability access in science. I have honored to receive BRIC B Harmonious award and Hometown Media Awards.

Through strategic partnerships with IS 98, Staten Island teachers, Emblem Health, Essentia Water, AYR Wellness, and the West Indian American Day Caribbean Association (WIADCA) she has organized book distribution, 5 back to school drives providing backpacks to more than 2,000 students within the 5 boroughs & with disabilities. As a proud member of the Haitian diaspora, I often travel around the US, the Caribbean, and Europe speaking directly to people involved in their local communities to develop documentaries, manage programs, and learn. She has been featured on BRIC TV “Catching the Vibe at the New York Caribbean Carnival and VP Records “On the Riddim” for my media work producing video and music content covering music, food, art, and the Carnival circuit.

HI, HOLA, OI!

I’m a trilingual, first-generation NYC-native. A proud product of Romania meets Curação. I’m also a Columbia University-trained landscape designer, who ended up in Cuba managing Havana’s 1st independent urban music label and producing a variety of music-related audiovisual projects. I bet I can put you on to some dope music you've never heard of, and you’d probably be impressed with my ability to parallel-park a 17' landscaping box truck in Manhattan.

Life unfolded in unexpected ways, and despite majoring in cultural anthropology at Wesleyan University, I ended up becoming a self-taught entrepreneur and taking over my family business at the age of 23. A Goldman Sachs accelerated MBA program helped me grow the business and eventually sell it six years later, leaving me with important business development, management and strategy skills that I’ve carried with me throughout my professional career.

At 37 years around the sun, I feel I’ve already lived several lives across several continents, and have a portfolio of albums, music videos and cultural reporting that I’m proud to have been a part of. I've conducted business in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and I am now back in NYC after a 6 year hiatus.

Today, I am a passionate advocate for independent artists and the democratization of the music industry, and my focus remains on empowering independent musicians and providing them with the resources they need to create their own success.

Music has allowed me to combine my past experience with my creative passions, and I’m now using my unique skillset to help other musicians achieve their goals. I'm thrilled to be part of a movement of music makers helping to build a more equitable and sustainable music industry and I'm excited to see where my journey will take me next!

Matthew Allen is an award-winning music journalist, TV producer, and director. He is the founder and co-producer of BRIC Media Maker Weekend. As a music journalist, he's interviewed the likes of Quincy Jones, Jill Scott, Smokey Robinson, and more for publications such as TheGrio, Ebony, Jet, The Root, Village Voice, Wax Poetics, Revive Music, Okayplayer, and Soulhead. His video work can be seen Brooklyn Free Speech TV, BRIC TV, and PBS/All Arts.

I've captured images for almost 20 years and I live, eat, and breathe photography. I enjoy observing frozen moments in time and capturing the very essence of beauty in literally everything. Photography is an art form that started as a hobby and throughout the years I've evolved creatively and mastered the craft. Today I offer my love for photography, my passion, my eye for composition, and my technical skillset to you. As an artist, I innerstand the importance of conveying the image of who you are. I have photographed many different subjects, scenes, and moments all over the world. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and so I invite you now to look through my frozen moments in time.

Eric, a native New Yorker, is an Art Director and Motion Designer with a passion for crafting captivating video experiences. He's a devoted father of two, a handball enthusiast, and a skilled drone photographer, capturing the city's beauty wherever it's permitted.