The Gathering Spot—a new contemporary space in Los Angeles—hosted a showcase curated by the Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab on Thursday, Oct. 20. Ignited creatives presented their mastery of the arts while celebrating their capstone at Hillman Grad Productions.
Accredited experts, Hillman Mentees, and industry elite were able to explore the multiple dimensions The Gathering Spot holds from the lacquered bar, live DJ mixes and multiple rooms hosting visual projects from recently graduated creatives.
The elevated audience witnessed sequences of video recordings of monologues and interviews from graduating group of creatives.
Lynnese Page, Hillman acting mentee, reflected on her experience and stated, “One word that comes to mind is definitely community.” Shifting thoughts, Page continued, “I think this experience was absolutely necessary for me to reconnect to my process as an artist and I am truly grateful for the community.”
Diving deep into expressing gratitude for producer and Emmy-Award winning writer Lena Waithe, Page acknowledged her labor in creating a physical space where people of color are not only invited to the table, but “building their own stools, tables, and chairs.”
Waithe collaborates with film producer and writer, Rishi Rajani, to create art that “redefines the status quo by providing a platform for BIPOC and underrepresented voices across all mediums.” Page expressed that she felt a rise of what “Black Hollywood” looks like today.
The Mentorship Lab projec was launched by Waithe and Rajani’s development and production company, Hillman Grad Productions in 2020. It offers opportunities for underrepresented storytellers and creatives to network, develop, and advance their careers in television and film.
With its expansion into six divisions—TV, Film, Music, Books, Podcasts, Branded Content and Mentorship—Hillman Grad has the entertainment industry looking out for what they produce.
The following creatives were among this year’s mentees who celebrated concluding the nearly 8-month program: (Acting) Donnevan Tolbert, Jonny Williams, Kashayna Johnson, LaNora Terraé Hayden, Lee Hubilla, Lynnese Page, Michaela Obro-ababio, TJ Chester, (Writing) Abi Rich, Blake Williams, Charlene Little, Cydney Fisher, Emily Teerasuphaset, Luveza Mubashar, Rubén Mendive, Van Newman, Victoria George, (Executive Development) Andy Park, Franco Chacon, Geralyn Smith, Jocelyn Waddell, and Wai Wing Lau.
