12 minute read
Breaking Bland
BY [ Tanesia A. REED ] FORMER STUDENT LEADER CLIMBS TO HIGHER GROUND, NOW RUNNING THE SHOW IN HOLLYWOOD
JAMES BLAND is the creative genius behind the Emmy Award-winning drama series, Giants, which has gone from Issa Rae’s YouTube Channel to broadcast television on Cleo TV. The creator, showrunner, and star of his series, Bland has chosen to dedicate himself to accurately portraying the stories of Black millennials in a journey to adulthood series about three friends approaching 30.
Bland is a Titusville, Fla. native and 2008 business administration graduate of Florida A&M University. During his matriculation at FAMU, Bland was Freshman and Sophomore Class Vice President even after running as a write-in candidate, President of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society, and Student Activities Board Chairman. He was also Student Body Vice President during his senior year and a Spring 2006 initiate of the Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Through his college years, such prominent alumni in filmmaking as Will Packer, Rob Hardy, and Anika Noni Rose opened his eyes to the endless opportunities a FAMU degree can grant a Rattler.
“They [Will Packer and Rob Hardy] had gone to FAMU and they weren’t film majors — they were engineering majors,” said Bland. “Because they had left FAMU with engineering degrees and still were able to find success in Hollywood as filmmakers, I believed that I could, too.”
Bland met Packer during his junior year at FAMU. Packer advised him to make his very first film to show his seriousness about getting into the filmmaking. After spending his senior year creating his first film, Dreaming in Color, which was about two teenage best friends struggling to chase their dreams, and moving to Los Angeles, Bland was offered an intern position at Will Packer Productions. As an intern shortly after graduation, he maintained the office of the producer during the production of the 2010 action thriller film Takers.
“Because I’m a Rattler, I knew how to network and how to get people on my side,” said Bland as he talked about his internship with Packer coming to an end. “I made sure I talked to a few folks while I was his intern at the studio. So, when the internship ended and there were not any more opportunities to work with Will Packer, I started reaching out to people that I had met at the studio and (that) brought me back as a production assistant [at Sony Screen Gems].”
He later took a step further into the industry as an executive assistant at Sony Screen Gems in 2009, completing organizational tasks for company executives, as well as the digital producer for TV Land in 2014, where he produced the series The Soul Man and managed social media accounts. During this time, Bland produced impressive film content through different web series and short films. Afterward, he wrote, produced, and acted in his hit series, Giants, which was the first project Bland could completely call his own.
“I created Giants to really show the industry and the world what James Bland could do,” he said. “It made me a power player in the industry, and it made Hollywood care what James Bland had to say.”
Bland is now the founder and CEO of James Bland Productions, “a full-service production company focused on creating purpose-driven content for film, television and digital platforms,” according to james-bland.com.
He has also made time to give back to young, Black content creators through numerous educational and experience-driven programs. Through his “Creating a Giant” master class to his “Giants X LeadersUp Internship Program,” Bland has provided many opportunities for skilled youth interested in filmmaking.
Bland also worked with the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program’s HBCU in LA by supervising the final summer project — a 10-minute short film in 2019 called Uchawi. The film was about two sisters being forced to confront their past through miraculous powers and learning how to forgive.
Kenya Cummins, an intern during the HBCU in LA program who worked as a producer for the short film, expressed her gratitude for the program in a Making the Film | HBCU in LA 2019 video on Bland’s website.
“It was awesome,” said Cummins, a Hampton University alumna. “Just being in the mix you learn so much, so I’m really grateful.”
Alongside filmmaking, Bland has directed music videos for a new multi-genre music artist with a unique intergalactic sound, TeaMarrr. The Boston artist’s songs, Chasing Amy and One Job, are amongst the four videos directed by him. In My Mind by TeaMarrr was featured in Bland’s Giants television series and she is now signed to Issa Rae’s record label, Raedio.
“There’s a trend when you look at it. Any of the videos that James [Bland] has directed are at a million-plus views. Where the others … aren’t. James [Bland] has this magical, physical touch to my brand,” said TeaMarrr. “If a video is not directed by him [Bland], it’s because we asked him first and he couldn’t do it. No disrespect to the other directors I have worked with because they’re amazing, but James [Bland] is my go-to.”
TeaMarrr describes Bland as a “thoughtful dude,” who thoroughly listens to her music to visualize a video content that is always spot on with her creative vision. The artist hopes to arrange more of her music videos to be directed by Bland in the near future.
Bland plans to continue living his dream of creating content full-time with bigger budgets on larger platforms. Ryan Coogler, Angela Bassett, and many other film icons are on his radar as he works toward making James Bland a household name and representing the Black community in his work.
New Faces, NEW PLACES
FLORIDA GOV. RON DESANTIS APPOINTS THREE TO FAMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Three alumni are the newest members of the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees. During this academic year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Otis Cliatt II, Michael Dubose and Kenward “Kenny” Stone to serve on the 13-member Board.
Their appointments were confirmed by the state Senate on March 30, 2021.
Cliatt of Dove Canyon, Calif., has been president of Pacific Harbor Line since 2012. The FAMU Bachelor of Science graduate has more than two decades of experience in the railroad industry specializing in railroad operations, safety, and labor relations. A military veteran, Cliatt served with the U.S. Army’s elite Special Forces Command and with the Special Operations Command.
In 2019, the former football player was honored by the National Alumni Association among that year’s class of Distinguished Alumni.
Dubose, of Alpharetta, Ga., is president of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Healthcare Market Division. Previously, he held leadership positions with W.W. Grainger, Staples, Alliant Foodservice and Baxter Healthcare. Dubose has volunteered his time with the National Sales Network, Boy Scouts of America, Executive Leadership Council, and the Community Achievement Center of Atlanta. Dubose earned a bachelor’s degree at FAMU. He is also president of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Nation-al Foundation, where he administers a $10-million scholarship fund. Under his leadership, as part of The Just Project, Thermo Fisher Scientific donated $2.5 million in supplies and equipment to enable FAMU to set up a COVID-19 testing lab that will serve students, faculty and staff from FAMU and Florida’s other three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HB-CUs), Bethune Cookman University, Edward Waters College and Florida Memorial.
Stone, co-chief executive officer of Broughton Pharmaceuticals, was appointed by DeSantis in November 2020.
A resident of Savannah, Georgia, Stone graduated from the FAMU School of Business & Industry (SBI) with a bachelor’s in business administration in 2009. He later completed an MBA at Harvard University. Stone is co-founder and managing partner of SL Group Investors, New York. His career in the financial sector includes stints at Barclays Bank and Citigroup.
Otis Cliatt II Michael Dubose
Kenny Stone
JOHNSON NAMED SCHOOL OF NURSING DEAN
Shelley Johnson, Ed.D., joined the University as the dean for the School of Nursing on July 1, 2020.
Johnson has designed, implemented, directed and taught undergraduate and graduate nursing programs for approximately 20 years. Her experience includes serving on the administration teams for Chamberlain, Lincoln, Rutgers and La Salle universities as well as the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
While at Lincoln University, Johnson served as the founding director and chair of nursing and health science. Johnson’s professional specialties include curriculum and instruction, assessment and community health. She is also a certified nurse executive, nurse educator and a comprehensive systematic reviewer.
A native of Barbados, Johnson received a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix, a master’s degree in community health nursing from Pennsylvania State University, an executive Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. She has also received a certificate in educational leadership from Harvard University and an equity, diversity and inclusion certificate from the University of Michigan.
MILES NAMED TO PERMANENT POST AS DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Keith Miles, former FAMU Alumni Affairs director and longtime voice of Rattler football, was named director of the Office of Communications on January 8, 2021.
Miles had served as interim director since Feb. 1, 2020.
In announcing the appointment, President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., said under Miles’ leadership, the Office of Communications has performed as a very cohesive unit leading the University’s internal and external communication efforts under difficult circumstances, specifically the global pandemic.
The Office of Communications manages the University’s marketing, creative services, the president’s communications, media relations, publications and special events.
A former general manager of WANM 90.5 Radio, Miles managed internal communications for the Office of Communications prior to his appointment as interim manager. His responsibilities have included writing speeches for the president, commencement ceremonies and other major events. He has been a FAMU deputy athletic director, and from 1988 to 1991, legislative liaison and spokesman for the Governor’s Energy Office and director of Alumni Affairs from 1991 to 1999.
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TITLE III PROGRAMS COMES ABOARD FROM TEXAS
Erick Akins, Ph.D., is the new executive director of Title III Programs. He comes to FAMU after working years at Alamo Community Colleges with 10 years at St. Philip’s College as the Title III Director.
Akins spent 16 years teaching urban-related courses at the University of Texas at Austin and two years teaching graduate courses in public administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Akins is currently serving his second term as president of the National Association of HBCUs Title III Administrators.
As Executive Director of Title III Programs, Akins will have administrative and operational duties over the $14.1 million per year in Title III funding received by FAMU. After spending 36 years in Texas, Akins has high expectations of taking on a new position and living in new city.
“I feel honored and thankful for the opportunity to work for such a great institution. I see great things in the horizon and great things happenings in the future. I am grateful for the opportunity to work and support the mission, vision and values of FAMU.”
Akins earned his bachelor’s in music education from Southern University (Baton Rouge, La.) and his master’s in Urban Studies from Trinity University (San Antonio, TX). He earned his Ph.D. in Human Services from Capella University (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Gibson, continued from page 42
the execution of the strategies that we put in place. Our efficiency in doing things faster and better was important.”
The directors used the assessment results to design a workstream to improve on all of the parameters. Then, they executed their plan. Two years later, the Board took the survey again, and their scores improved across the board.
The Foundation Board is developing strategic plans that will allow directors to better leverage their knowledge and networks.
“This board is committed to leaving it all on the yard,” said Gibson, quoting the University’s president, Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “We’re very
fortunate to have Dr. Robinson’s leadership, which will allow our Board to get into a steady rhythm of sourcing and stewarding donations. I’ve also got a great collaborative partnership with Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud, vice president of University Advancement and dean of the School of Business and Industry. She has a very hardworking staff that supports our Board.”
Friday-Stroud expressed her gratitude for Gibson and the unified team working toward a common goal.
She said, “It is a pleasure to work with Chair Gibson as he continues to lead the FAMU Foundation Board to greater effectiveness, efficiency, and engagement; but I cannot do it by myself. I am so thankful for our awesome University Advancement team that works extremely hard to not only meet President Robinson’s fundraising goal, but that works equally as hard to support the work of Chair Gibson and the Foundation Board.”
Gibson and his family have supported many organizations around the country that focus on improving the lives of families and children, especially those impacted by drugs and addiction. His oldest daughter, Iman Gibson, is a FAMU senior. “My father has always exceeded my expectations of success,” said Iman Gibson. “To be a part of his legacy at FAMU is very rewarding and it allows me to understand that the world is filled with limitless possibilities. I love my HBCU.” Gibson shares his life’s challenges and successes as a motivational speaker and in his memoir, Drugs: My Curse My Savior. The former U.S. Army officer is a life-long learner and attended the Harvard Business School Exec-
utive Education on Governing Non-profits for Excellence. He has also earned a master’s degree in management leadership and will complete studies for his MBA in the spring.
Gibson is excited to continue using his diverse educational and leadership experiences to support FAMU. The FAMU Foundation Board will meet with the Foundation’s staff and President Robinson in May to discuss how it will help the University meet fundraising goals.
“We have more contacts and connections in the donor space and look forward to fulfilling our commitment to helping the University achieve its fundraising goals through a continuous collaboration. There are some exciting announcements that will be coming over the course of this year.”
Although the pandemic disrupted the implementation of some of the Foundation’s strategies, Gibson said Foundation operations are stronger, and the Board is in a better position to help raise funds and steward the money.
