VIC BULLUCK
As the Managing Director of Outreach and Workforce Development, Vic will champion inclusion strategies for Academy staff programs, as well as outreach, and philanthropic initiatives for the Academy. He leverages existing programs and accomplishments to maximize the Academy’s impact, and help develop the next generation of filmmakers and new audiences.
He brings a wealth of experience to the Academy and a reputation for being a thought leader. His experience spans production, marketing, promotion, sales, budget management, staffing, and operations. Vic was recently at the NAACP where he opened the Hollywood Bureau and served as Executive Director of the Bureau for the past 12 years. In addition, Vic was the Executive Producer of the NAACP Image Awards for 9 years and has been the Executive Producer of The Judge Mathis Show for 15 years.
He brings a wealth of experience to the Academy and a reputation for being a thought leader. His experience spans production, marketing, promotion, sales, budget management, staffing, and operations. Vic was recently at the NAACP where he opened the Hollywood Bureau and served as Executive Director of the Bureau for the past 12 years. In addition, Vic was the Executive Producer of the NAACP Image Awards for 9 years and has been the Executive Producer of The Judge Mathis Show for 15 years.
Deborah Calla
Deborah Calla is a writer/producer originally from Brazil.
Her feature highlights are: BEAT THE WORLD (Brazil producer); A BEAUTIFUL LIFE (producer/co-writer) starring Dana Delany, Debi Mazar, Jesse Garcia, Angela Sarafyan and Bai Ling; LOST ZWEIG (co-producer) starring Rudigler Vogler; DREAM HOUSE (producer) starring Justin Theroux and LEHI’S WIFE (producer) starring Kathryn Joosten. She is the writer of Romeo & Juliet Redux an MOW now in the development at ABC Family.
Live Events highlights: Award shows with Jimmy Kimmel, Bill Macy, John Hawkes and Jane Lynch, among others. “Out Of Silence: Readings from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project” at the Museum of Tolerance with Nancy Travis and Conchata Ferrell among others.
TV highlights: CARNIVAL IN RIO - 2004 (producer) Travel Channel documentary narrated by Anne Archer; CARNIVAL IN RIO – 2003 a co-production with Emmy winner Terry Jastrow; CHICANO ARTISTS (writer/producer/director) for HBO Latino.
Deborah is a contributor of to The Huffington Post, and has had several books published by Putnam and Scholastic.
She is the Chair of the Producers Guild of America Diversity Committee as well as the Chair of the Media Access Awards and a member of the WGA.
Her feature highlights are: BEAT THE WORLD (Brazil producer); A BEAUTIFUL LIFE (producer/co-writer) starring Dana Delany, Debi Mazar, Jesse Garcia, Angela Sarafyan and Bai Ling; LOST ZWEIG (co-producer) starring Rudigler Vogler; DREAM HOUSE (producer) starring Justin Theroux and LEHI’S WIFE (producer) starring Kathryn Joosten. She is the writer of Romeo & Juliet Redux an MOW now in the development at ABC Family.
Live Events highlights: Award shows with Jimmy Kimmel, Bill Macy, John Hawkes and Jane Lynch, among others. “Out Of Silence: Readings from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project” at the Museum of Tolerance with Nancy Travis and Conchata Ferrell among others.
TV highlights: CARNIVAL IN RIO - 2004 (producer) Travel Channel documentary narrated by Anne Archer; CARNIVAL IN RIO – 2003 a co-production with Emmy winner Terry Jastrow; CHICANO ARTISTS (writer/producer/director) for HBO Latino.
Deborah is a contributor of to The Huffington Post, and has had several books published by Putnam and Scholastic.
She is the Chair of the Producers Guild of America Diversity Committee as well as the Chair of the Media Access Awards and a member of the WGA.
DR. JOHN HAMILTON
Dr. John Hamilton has had a passion for hip-hop and other genres of music since he can remember. His greatest love remains for hip-hop, his connection grew after seeing Krush Groove and Beat Street on the big screen. Dr. Hamilton has taken his love for the hip-hop culture and his research on retention issues for students’ of color to examine how education and hip-hop can be prioritized to create options.
Dr. Hamilton’s passion led him to listen more to the lyrics to interpret the story and messages presented by hip hop icons from Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rahim, Jay Z, Nas, and Tupac to name a few. Because of his passion for music, you can often hear him playing Northern California’s rapper Paris or John Mayer in his Race, Class or Gender class to college students to interpret more meaning to the curriculum.
Hamilton has presented at numerous conferences and workshops on the plight of African American males. He is the author of Cinque: Rites Of Passage, The Elevator is Broken and Vainglorious: How Today’s Black Men Graduate from College. In addition, he is the Co-Publisher of The California Charter News a newspaper dedicated to empowering charter school parents.
Dr. Hamilton earned his Doctoral degree in Education (Organizational Leadership) from the University of La Verne, Masters of Education from Loyola Marymount University, and Bachelors in Sociology from San Diego State University.
Dr. Hamilton’s passion led him to listen more to the lyrics to interpret the story and messages presented by hip hop icons from Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rahim, Jay Z, Nas, and Tupac to name a few. Because of his passion for music, you can often hear him playing Northern California’s rapper Paris or John Mayer in his Race, Class or Gender class to college students to interpret more meaning to the curriculum.
Hamilton has presented at numerous conferences and workshops on the plight of African American males. He is the author of Cinque: Rites Of Passage, The Elevator is Broken and Vainglorious: How Today’s Black Men Graduate from College. In addition, he is the Co-Publisher of The California Charter News a newspaper dedicated to empowering charter school parents.
Dr. Hamilton earned his Doctoral degree in Education (Organizational Leadership) from the University of La Verne, Masters of Education from Loyola Marymount University, and Bachelors in Sociology from San Diego State University.
Amber Raspberry
A USC graduate, Amber Rasberry began her career in music video & commercial production working with such directors as Paul Hunter, Little X, Hype Williams, David LaChapelle, and Sam Bayer.
Rasberry then transititoned to film with Naa’ila Entertainment with auteur Hype Williams working on videos for Jay-Z, LL Cool J, No Doubt, Jessica Simpson, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog and many others. While working with Mr. Williams she established a foundation within the film industry through his production deal with New Line Cinema. Concurrently she expanded her base in music video production as a freelance music video rep for A Few Miles North Productions, landing director Erik White’s first video for Epic recording artist PYT. Amber then joined the State St. Pictures team where she worked on the box office hits BARBERSHOP, BARBERSHOP 2 and ROLL, BOUNCE. As Production and Development Associate, Rasberry established the film development division of Simmons Lathan Media Group, a multimedia partnership between hip hop godfather Russell Simmons and legendary television director, Stan Lathan. She also managed music video director Little X and secured his feature film debut as 2nd unit director/director’s consultant for dance film HOW SHE MOVE
Currently, Amber is Director of Development at 34th St Films, a subsidiary of Tyler Perry Studios, where she identified Academy Award winning film, PRECIOUS, at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival for acquisition. She was a production executive on the feature film adaption of Ntozake Shange’s seminal play FOR COLORED GIRLS, and the PEEPLES with Craig Robinson, Kerry Washington and David Alan Grier.
Rasberry then transititoned to film with Naa’ila Entertainment with auteur Hype Williams working on videos for Jay-Z, LL Cool J, No Doubt, Jessica Simpson, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog and many others. While working with Mr. Williams she established a foundation within the film industry through his production deal with New Line Cinema. Concurrently she expanded her base in music video production as a freelance music video rep for A Few Miles North Productions, landing director Erik White’s first video for Epic recording artist PYT. Amber then joined the State St. Pictures team where she worked on the box office hits BARBERSHOP, BARBERSHOP 2 and ROLL, BOUNCE. As Production and Development Associate, Rasberry established the film development division of Simmons Lathan Media Group, a multimedia partnership between hip hop godfather Russell Simmons and legendary television director, Stan Lathan. She also managed music video director Little X and secured his feature film debut as 2nd unit director/director’s consultant for dance film HOW SHE MOVE
Currently, Amber is Director of Development at 34th St Films, a subsidiary of Tyler Perry Studios, where she identified Academy Award winning film, PRECIOUS, at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival for acquisition. She was a production executive on the feature film adaption of Ntozake Shange’s seminal play FOR COLORED GIRLS, and the PEEPLES with Craig Robinson, Kerry Washington and David Alan Grier.
CANDACE RODNEY
Candace Rodney, Esq. serves as the Director of Pay Television at Sony Pictures Television. In this position, Rodney oversees domestic Subscription Video On Demand licensing and marketing activities as well as domestic Pay TV licensing and promotional efforts. Rodney is on the forefront of the evolution of television, representing the studio’s current and library product from Columbia Pictures, TriStar, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Classics, and Stage 6 in digital mediums.
Prior to joining Sony, Rodney worked as a Business and Legal Affairs attorney at Lionsgate Television, where she negotiated development and production agreements for award-winning television shows including Mad Men, Weeds, Nashville and Boss.
Rodney's experience prior to the television industry was dedicated to entertainment and sports talent representation. As a member of the Business and Legal Affairs department at Creative Artists Agency, Rodney negotiated multi-million dollar agreements on behalf of over 500 world-class athletes including Derek Jeter, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Peyton Manning and David Beckman. Her knowledge and legal expertise has also guided the careers of J.Cole, Ludacris, Young Money and 8ball and MJG, as well as the plethora of artists during her tenure at Interscope, Geffen, and A&M Records.
Rodney is an alumni of Loyola University College of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor and earned a certificate in International Law. She graduated a member of the Lambda Pi Eta honor society at Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, concentration Radio/TV/Film with a minor in Spanish.
Rodney is an active member of the New York bar and a 2014 Entertainment and Media Master of Laws candidate from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California.
Prior to joining Sony, Rodney worked as a Business and Legal Affairs attorney at Lionsgate Television, where she negotiated development and production agreements for award-winning television shows including Mad Men, Weeds, Nashville and Boss.
Rodney's experience prior to the television industry was dedicated to entertainment and sports talent representation. As a member of the Business and Legal Affairs department at Creative Artists Agency, Rodney negotiated multi-million dollar agreements on behalf of over 500 world-class athletes including Derek Jeter, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Peyton Manning and David Beckman. Her knowledge and legal expertise has also guided the careers of J.Cole, Ludacris, Young Money and 8ball and MJG, as well as the plethora of artists during her tenure at Interscope, Geffen, and A&M Records.
Rodney is an alumni of Loyola University College of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor and earned a certificate in International Law. She graduated a member of the Lambda Pi Eta honor society at Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, concentration Radio/TV/Film with a minor in Spanish.
Rodney is an active member of the New York bar and a 2014 Entertainment and Media Master of Laws candidate from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California.
DANA SIMS
Dana Sims is an agent in the motion picture talent department at ICM Partners, a talent and literary agency representing clients in the fields of motion pictures, television, publishing, music, theater branded entertainment and digital media. ICM Partners, a privately held corporation, is one of the predominant agencies in the United States and Europe, with its principal offices in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C. and London.
Ms. Sims joined ICM Partners in 2009 as a talent agent, where she oversees, develops, and guides client’s careers. With her powerful list of relationships, and unique and innovative ideas, Ms. Sims has a strong hand in the strategic growth of ICM Partners’ music department, working as a liaison between the talent and music departments where she has secured prolific roles for the agency’s clients including Kendrick Lamar, J-Cole, Cyndi Lauper, Elle Varner, Estelle, Travie McCoy, Nelly, Keri Hilson, Kelly Rowland, Trey Songz and Machine Gun Kelly.
Ms. Sims began her career in the entertainment industry at William Morris Agency, where she was quickly promoted to Talent Agent and later served as Vice President for four years. During this time her clients included Ludacris, Rihanna, Jill Scott, Nelly, Common, and Keri Hilson.
Active in organizations both within and outside the film industry, Ms. Sims serves as a board member for My Friends Place, a nonprofit resource center that offers free services to thousands of Los Angeles’ homeless youth each year. Ms. Sims is involved in organizing various events to raise awareness and monies for the foundation. Ms. Sims is a graduate of The University of Southern California where she received her degree in Communications from the Annenberg School of Communication.
Ms. Sims joined ICM Partners in 2009 as a talent agent, where she oversees, develops, and guides client’s careers. With her powerful list of relationships, and unique and innovative ideas, Ms. Sims has a strong hand in the strategic growth of ICM Partners’ music department, working as a liaison between the talent and music departments where she has secured prolific roles for the agency’s clients including Kendrick Lamar, J-Cole, Cyndi Lauper, Elle Varner, Estelle, Travie McCoy, Nelly, Keri Hilson, Kelly Rowland, Trey Songz and Machine Gun Kelly.
Ms. Sims began her career in the entertainment industry at William Morris Agency, where she was quickly promoted to Talent Agent and later served as Vice President for four years. During this time her clients included Ludacris, Rihanna, Jill Scott, Nelly, Common, and Keri Hilson.
Active in organizations both within and outside the film industry, Ms. Sims serves as a board member for My Friends Place, a nonprofit resource center that offers free services to thousands of Los Angeles’ homeless youth each year. Ms. Sims is involved in organizing various events to raise awareness and monies for the foundation. Ms. Sims is a graduate of The University of Southern California where she received her degree in Communications from the Annenberg School of Communication.
DR. JOHN SPRUILL III
Former recording artist turned Professor, Hampton alum Dr. Spruill, received a degree in Political Science, Dr. Spruill remained at Hampton to complete a Master’s Degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. He then went on to Purdue University to complete the nation’s first and only dual-title doctoral degree meshing Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Gerontology, and then returned to his beloved Hampton University to teach in the Communicative Sciences and Disorders department for two years. Dr. Spruill then relocated to Los Angeles, where he now teaches at California State University, Los Angeles, as well as California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Dr. Spruill remains a creator of music, but now puts more emphasis on the overall preservation of the hip-hop culture, specifically by injecting it with responsible contributions. While higher education has allowed him to become co-author of several published research studies, and a presenter at various conferences, he has most recently served as chief editor of the highly acclaimed “Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind, and Naked” by Gene Thornton, formerly known as “Malice” of the Grammy-nominated group, Clipse.
Dr. Spruill is also currently involved in developing shows, and several other culturally-based preservation projects, one of which is documenting the unsung history of the influential Solar Records, and another which focuses on the hip-hop history of Los Angeles.
Dr. Spruill remains a creator of music, but now puts more emphasis on the overall preservation of the hip-hop culture, specifically by injecting it with responsible contributions. While higher education has allowed him to become co-author of several published research studies, and a presenter at various conferences, he has most recently served as chief editor of the highly acclaimed “Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind, and Naked” by Gene Thornton, formerly known as “Malice” of the Grammy-nominated group, Clipse.
Dr. Spruill is also currently involved in developing shows, and several other culturally-based preservation projects, one of which is documenting the unsung history of the influential Solar Records, and another which focuses on the hip-hop history of Los Angeles.