Nikki O’Connor

For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.

For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.

For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.

Name: Kristin Valentine

What’s your job? Assistant Picture Editor

List the credits you’re most proud of. “What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali,” “Euphoria,” “Dune”

What are you working on right now? Indie Comedy Feature written and directed by Lena Dunham

Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? My parents are my biggest inspirations and influences. Aziza Ngozi and Joi McMillon, ACE are my mentors and biggest supporters. Both are women whose professional and personal successes and overall character I aspire to.

What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? I’m reading “Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life” and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” (for the first time!). I’m excited about “Snowfall,” love “The Crown,” obsessed with “Succession” and dying to see “Judas and the Black Messiah!”

What would be your superhero name? Math Maniac lol

What are your Black History Month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? I did a presentation on Angela Davis and her book “Women, Race and Class” during black history month in high school. It was my first introduction to intersectionality and how blackness and gender equally contributed to my experience in the world.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Don’t let the bad in the world compromise the good in you.

If you could time travel, when would you go and why? I’d travel to the 70s for the fashion, to party with my parents, and see the hype around Studio 54 and Woodstock lol.

What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I worked for the Department of Defense, love math and can talk like Donald Duck lol.

What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? Martin proposing to Gina with Brian McKnight #Swoon.

What’s your personal/professional mantra? Pursue your interests, but only commit to what you love

What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? What would be your dream project to work on? “Uncut Gems! I think my heart is still racing lol. My dream projects are authentic dramatic narratives with unconventional story elements. Specifically, magical realism. “Beasts of the Southern Wild” is my ultimate dream project.

For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.

For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.

Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier into Major League Baseball has become an American tale of perseverance and strength. But the story of African Americans in baseball did not begin or end there. For players of Robinson’s caliber to rise, there needed to be a forum where their skills could be showcased for the Nation. 3,400 players were given that opportunity from 1920-1948 in the Negro Leagues.

On February 13th, 1920, at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri, Andrew “Rube” Foster, a former flame-throwing right-handed pitcher now club owner, and seven other team owners banded together to form the Negro National League. At this meeting, Rube was elected President of the league and given the task of managing every aspect of the game.

1976’s “Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings” centers on a Negro League pitcher who takes a page out of Rube Foster’s book by starting his own barnstorming team out on the road. This Motown production stars Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones, and Richard Pryor. The film successfully made $33 million from a budget of $9 million. While also winning a Writers Guild Award for Best Comedy and an NAACP Image Award for Mr. Williams. Former Negro League players participated in not just game action but additional stunts throughout the film. Mr. Williams and Mr. Jones’ characters were loosely based upon former Negro League stars Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson.

Speaking of Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson, the athletes found themselves along with Jackie Robinson to be the focus of 1996’s “Soul of The Game.” Starring Delroy Lindo as Paige, Mykelti Williamson as Gibson, and Blair Underwood as Robinson, this HBO production focuses on the impending break of baseball’s color line. As the stars of the Negro League position to be the first Black baseball player, friendships are tested to their limits. At its core, “Soul of The Game” confronts racism head-on. However, the film does find time to address other issues such as ageism and mental health from an African American viewpoint.

None of these amazing stories are possible without the drive of one Andrew “Rube” Foster. We here at the AASC admire the moxie it took to get the job done.

By Wellington Harrison

For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.

For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.

Name: Alain Fleury

What’s your job? Picture Editor

List the credits you’re most proud of. “Transformers: Robots in Disguise.” It was my first union credit, so it’s special to me.

What are you working on right now? Nickelodeon’s “Toymation.” We recreate popular scenes from Nick shows like “SpongeBob” and “Rise of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” using live action toys. It’s silly, cute and fun.

Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? Toussaint Louverture, Barack Obama, John Singleton, Dave Chappelle, Robert Rodriguez.

What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re  excited about? I’m currently reading “Ready Player One. I’m excited for any shows or movies that are part of the Marvel cinematic universe.

What would be your superhero name? McFleury

What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical  impacts on your life? In 1804 Haiti became the first Black Republic. A group of Haitian freedom fighters defeated Napoleon and his army to gain their independence. This is one of the most defining moments for Africans across the world. They are my heroes.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Do something you love so you don’t ever have to work a day in your life.

What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I’m fluent in French.

What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? On “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” when Will had to confront the truth about his father.

Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career? “El Mariachi” and “Boyz N the Hood.”

What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? “Avengers: Endgame”

What would be your dream project to work on? “Black Panther”