The new cohort of 10 mentees came together following a global search for emerging storytellers across the Black diaspora.
Their varied perspectives and diverse backgrounds are just what this industry needs.
Im confident that theyll accomplish many things both in and out of the program.
Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative’s 2025 classEric Strong
Read on to learn about the 2025 fellows.
Abraham Adeyemiis a multi-award-winning writer-director from South London.
His directorial debut No More Wings world premiered and won best narrative short at Tribeca Film Festival.
David Anthony Barbier Jr.is a writer-actor of Cuban/ Haitian descent.
Deion Higginbothamis an Oakland-born self-taught screenwriter who amplifies the Black experience through his unique blend of genres.
His work has screened at several Academy Award-qualifying film festivals across the United States.
Paige Elsonis a writer-actor-comedian from Stockton, California.
Paige often explores themes of unconventional families, female friendships, and intersectional identities in her work.
Randi Tyre McCrayis a screenwriter and 10th-grade English teacher.
Her passion for screenwriting started with a spec script in the 4th grade.
Semi Olokois a first-generation Nigerian-American writer from Boston, MA.
She worked in literary management prior to becoming a showrunners assistant at End of Episode.
Her writing embraces the absurd, tackling race and identity through a comedic lens.
Talia Caldwellis a former pro basketball player turned comedy writer from Los Angeles.
