A Conversation With host Floyd Marshall Jr

What does it take to build a successful career in film while staying true to your creative vision? In this episode of A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr. , co-hosted by Okema T. Moore , award-winning director, executive producer, and creative visionary Tia A. Smith shares her remarkable journey from an internship at BET to leading award-winning projects in film, television, documentaries, and b...

Award-winning filmmaker and director Christine Swanson joins A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr. for a powerful conversation about filmmaking, television directing, emotional storytelling, independent cinema, and surviving Hollywood as a Black woman director. From studying under Spike Lee at NYU to directing acclaimed projects like The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel and Basement Peop...

Actress and producer Dawn Halfkenny joins Host Floyd Marshall Jr. for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, professionalism, and building a lasting career in Hollywood. From working as a stand-in on Tyler Perry Studios productions to starring in hit projects like Saints & Sinners, Tales, and collaborations with Kountry Wayne, Dawn shares the real journey behind her success in film and...

What does it take to go from a teenage creator with a camera to an award-winning filmmaker, director, and CEO? In this powerful episode of A Conversation with Floyd Marshall Jr. , we sit down with Meosha Bean—a filmmaker, actress, entrepreneur, and founder of M.V.B Films Productions—to break down her journey through the film industry, creative ownership, and storytelling in the horror genre. From...

What does it really take to build a 40+ year career in Hollywood—and still evolve? In this powerful episode, host Floyd Marshall Jr. and co-host Okema T. Moore sit down with legendary actress and producer Anne-Marie Johnson to uncover the truth behind longevity in the entertainment industry. From her iconic roles in In the Heat of the Night, In Living Color, and Hollywood Shuffle to her transition...

What does it really take to break into the film industry with no experience? In this powerful episode of A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr. , actress Shalèt Monique shares how losing her teaching job led to an unexpected journey into acting — starting with a casting call that changed her life. “Somebody sent me a casting call and said you should do this… and I had no idea what I was doing.” Fr...

What does it really take to succeed as an independent filmmaker in today’s industry? In this episode of A Conversation with Floyd Marshall Jr. , award-winning filmmaker Eden Marryshow shares the real journey behind building a film career without waiting for Hollywood’s permission. From working in New York City public schools to winning at the American Black Film Festival, Eden breaks down how purp...

What does it really take to survive — and thrive — as an independent filmmaker? In this powerful episode of A Conversation with Host Floyd Marshall Jr. , we sit down with Nigerian-American filmmaker and Black Film Space co-founder Lande Yoosu f to unpack her journey from MTV executive to fearless indie creator. Lande shares the career setback that changed everything, the truth about industry gatek...

What do you do when HBO doesn’t pick up the phone? In this powerful episode of A Conversation with , host Floyd Marshall Jr. and co-host Okema Moore sit down with award-winning creatives Renee Wilson and Jana Naomi Smith to unpack the journey behind Red for Revolution — a Tribeca-winning narrative audio drama that began as a television pilot and evolved into a groundbreaking independent project. T...

What does it really take to make a meaningful film when the story is personal, the journey is long, and the stakes are real? In this powerful episode of A Conversation with Host Floyd Marshall Jr. , host Floyd Marshall Jr. and co-host Okema T. Moore sit down with Cori Robinson — singer, actress, and executive producer — for an unfiltered conversation every filmmaker needs to hear. Cori Robinson sh...

Amajae Hardy-Jones joins A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr. for a powerful, faith-centered deep dive into her journey from Philadelphia stages to Los Angeles film sets , proving what’s possible when purpose meets preparation. In this inspiring conversation, Amajae shares how early training in theater, her transformative experiences at the Kimmel Center, and a decade of mentorship prepared her...

In this episode of A Conversation with Floyd Marshall Jr. & Co-host Okema T. Moore , we sit down once again with Tracey Baker-Simmons — a 30+ year entertainment industry veteran, executive producer, and pioneer of reality television. From music videos and independent film to creating the iconic series Being Bobby Brown starring Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, Tracey has seen Hollywood transfo...

🎬 “A Conversation With Host Floyd Marshall Jr. & Co-host Okema T. Moore” dives deep into the spirit, vision, and impact behind the Micheaux Film Festival —one of the fastest-growing and most inclusive festivals in the U.S. Founded by Noel Braham and Courtney L. Branch , the festival champions independent filmmakers and celebrates diversity, community, and authentic storytelling. In this episo...

In this inspiring episode, Eunice Smith-Shelley — filmmaker, strategist, and industry disruptor — shares how she’s redefining storytelling from concept to production. With over 30 years in corporate leadership and creative entrepreneurship , Eunice blends business strategy with cinematic vision to empower underrepresented voices in film. As the founder of Word Smith Studios , she’s built a creativ...

Step into the world of Hollywood storytelling with Kevin Eugee Wilson—Showrunner, Director, Executive Producer, and CEO of Sylver Lining Media . From producing the BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and Soul Train Awards to creating hit shows like Laugh Tonight with Damon Williams and Known Cap TV, Kevin’s career spans Netflix, Lionsgate, BET, Nike, and more. In this candid conversation with hosts Fl...

NAACP Image Award-winning filmmaker, writer, and producer Ericka Nicole Malone joins hosts Floyd Marshall Jr. and Okema T. Moore for an inspiring conversation on creativity, resilience, and representation in film and theater. From writing plays in college to founding Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment , Ericka shares her journey of self-financing projects, creating opportunities for women of color...

Award-winning cinematographer, director, screenwriter, and author Steven Bernstein ( Monster , White Chicks , SWAT , Like Water for Chocolate ) joins host Floyd Marshall Jr. for an in-depth conversation on filmmaking, storytelling, and the creative process. Bernstein shares how he broke into the film industry, why he avoids traditional outlines in screenwriting, and how he builds authentic, emotio...

Go behind the scenes with veteran filmmaker Derrick Hammond — a director, producer, writer, cinematographer, and editor with over 20 films under his belt. Hosted by Floyd Marshall Jr. with co-host Okema T. Moore , this conversation dives deep into the realities of independent filmmaking: from learning the craft on big-budget sets, to mastering sound , navigating distribution, building strong crews...

🎬 In this episode of "A Conversation With," host Floyd Marshall Jr. and co-host Okema T. Moore welcome the dynamic Jalene Mack—renowned entertainment attorney, actress, author, producer, and leader in the Houston film industry. Jalene brings decades of experience in film production, law, and creative business to the table, sharing actionable legal tips for filmmakers, screenwriters, pro...

In this powerful episode, hosts Floyd Marshall Jr. and Okema T. Moore welcome multiplatform TV executive and creative force Donna Marie Reid. Go behind the scenes as Donna Marie pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to thrive in today’s unpredictable film and television industry. Discover candid stories and practical advice about navigating industry shake-ups, pitching your ideas to netwo...

Step into the world of international film with Yolonda Brinkley—global disruptor and founder of the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase. In this powerful episode, Yolonda shares her inspiring journey, from breaking down barriers at the Cannes Film Festival to championing true inclusion for marginalized voices in cinema. Discover what it takes to build a global movement, empower Black women in...

In Episode 147 of A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr. , hosts Floyd Marshall Jr. and Okema T. Moore sit down with groundbreaking reality TV pioneer Tracy Baker-Simmons—“Master of the Unscripted .” With over 30 years in the industry, Tracy has produced iconic projects like Being Bobby Brown , Welcome to Dreamland , and The Houstons: On Our Own , forever changing the landscape of reality televisi...

In this unfiltered and thought-provoking episode of A Conversation With... , host Floyd Marshall Jr. and co-host Okema T. Moore are joined by industry veterans Patrick Coker and James Moorer for a real talk on the state of Black storytelling in film. They dive into: Why original Black stories still matter and how Sinners proved it The myth of “one script success” and the reality of long-term creat...

In this eye-opening episode, Floyd Marshall Jr. and Okema Moore sit down with genre-breaking filmmaker Nace DeSanders. Known for her bold and artistic work in experimental horror, Nace shares how a passion for storytelling and a global perspective —from New York to Madrid to South Africa—inspire her deeply impactful films. The conversation explores her unconventional journey from volunteering at f...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Emmy-winning filmmaker and former world champion flair bartender Deborah Richards to explore her bold journey from behind the bar to behind the camera. 💥 Topics Include: How Deborah turned flair bartending into award-winning filmmaking The making of her documentary Shaken and Stirred Gender dynamics in male-dominated spaces The art of pivoting on set Wh...