Carlos de Jesus is a storyteller and teacher who expresses himself through photography, film and writing. He is Associate Professor, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University and is a key participant on the First World Order Project, a long-term telecommunications project that focuses on traditional as well as contemporary expressions of African cultural practice throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, India, and the Pacific Islands. De Jesus’ film and video documentaries include The Devil is a Condition, Garifuna Nation, and That Old Gang of Mine which was broadcast on Thirteen/WNET (1996). His most recent artist’s book is In the Knot of Time (2015). And his photography and video project Amanié, What's New? was exhibited at the NYU Kimmel Center Windows (2017).

Nova Scott-James is a filmmaker, artist and community organizer from Harlem, NYC. Her work explores themes of individual and collective memory and trauma, surrealism, death, ritual and healing. Nova is an adjunct instructor at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, teaching in special programs including the Future Filmmaker's Workshop. Her workshop "Finding Your Voice" is designed to engage the high school age participants to illuminate what inspires them most, and support them in expanding their potential and exploring their unique creative voice. Two of her short films Handmade in Thamaga and My Third Eye have premiered at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in the New York African Film Festival in 2015 and 2017 respectively.