ESSENCE HOLLYWOOD HOUSE

FEBRUARY 28

10am - 6pm (PST)

To Altadena With Love honors the resilience of those impacted by the California wildfires, offering a space of inspiration, connection, and support for creative professionals in the film and television industries. Originally established in 2020, this premier event has evolved into a community-driven experience designed to empower both emerging and established talent. Attendees can engage in thought-provoking panels, a community resource hub, exclusive screenings, and meaningful networking opportunities. With a renewed focus on creativity and compassion, ESSENCE Hollywood House provides a nurturing environment for actors, directors, writers, producers, and other industry professionals to grow, collaborate, and pursue their artistic dreams while standing in solidarity with those rebuilding their lives.

  • 11:00 am -
    11:00 am -
    Hollywood and Altadena: A Shared Legacy
    Hollywood and Altadena: A Shared Legacy

    Dominique Fluker in conversation with Floyd Norman and Etienne Maurice

  • 11:35 am -
    11:35 am -
    AI In Action: The Next Era Of Jobs In Film
    AI In Action: The Next Era Of Jobs In Film

    Nandi Howard in conversation with Shavone Charles and Maya Smith

  • 12:30 pm -
    12:30 pm -
    Lights, Camera, Content: The Future of Storytelling
    Lights, Camera, Content: The Future of Storytelling

    Darron Ricks in conversation with Andrea Okeke, Karen Civil and KevOnStage

  • 2:00 pm -
    2:00 pm -
    WBTV Presents All American - Tackling Authentic Black Stories
    WBTV Presents All American - Tackling Authentic Black Stories

    Brande Victorian in conversation with Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Michael Evans Behling, Greta Oniegou, Bre-Z and Nathaniel McIntyre

  • 2:45 pm -
    2:45 pm -
    Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City presented by AT&T Dream in Black
    Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City presented by AT&T Dream in Black

    Donye Taylor in conversation with D Smoke, Olympia and Dj Hed

  • 3:15 pm -
    3:15 pm -
    Office Hours: The Power Of The Pivot
    Office Hours: The Power Of The Pivot

    Michele Ghee

  • 3:45 pm -
    3:45 pm -
    Costume & Culture: The Art of Styling Black Stories - SINNERS
    Costume & Culture: The Art of Styling Black Stories - SINNERS

    Okla Jones in conversation with Ruth E. Carter and Wunmi Mosaku

  • 4:30 pm -
    4:30 pm -
    No Small Parts: Elevating Every Audition
    No Small Parts: Elevating Every Audition

    Kory Jarvis in conversation with Raamla Mohamed and Lena Waithe

  • 5:20 pm -
    5:20 pm -
    Rebuilding Together
    Rebuilding Together

    Ms. Dupont Walker in conversation with Zaire Calvin, representatives from Our Own, Neighborhood Survants and Flintridge Center

PANELIST

  • ANDREA OKEKE
    Host, Entrepreneur & Content Creator
  • Dj HED
    Media Personality
  • D Smoke
    3x Grammy Nominated Musician, Actor, Author
  • Etienne Maurice
    Actor, Founder of WalkGood LA
  • FLOYD NORMAN
    A Self-Proclaimed Cartoonist
  • Karen Civil
    Founder & Strategist of Always Civil
  • KEVONSTAGE
    Multi-Hyphenate Entertainer, Comedian & New York Times bestselling Author
  • Lena Waithe
    Writer, Producer & Actor
  • Maya Smith
    Co-Founder, CEO & Creative Director
  • Raamla Mohamed
    Creator, Writer & Executive Producer of Reasonable Doubt
  • RUTH CARTER
    Two-Time Oscar-Winning Costume Designer
  • SHAVONE
    Musician, Technology Executive & Founder, Future of Creatives
  • Wunmi Mosaku
    BAFTA Award-Winning Actress

SPEED MENTOR: SESSION 1

  • ASHLEY CALLOWAY
    Manager & Producer at ColorCreative
  • BRITTINEE ROYES
    Vice President of Unscripted Programming at NBCUniversal
  • Elon D. Johnson
    Vice President of Development at Tyler Perry Studios
  • Kelli Dunson Buchanan
    Head of Nonfiction, Proximity Media
  • MARQUIS PHIFÈR
    Award-Winning Strategist & Brand Architect
  • Michael Barclay II
    EVP of Experiential at Sundial Media Group
  • SUMMERLYNN POWELL
    Publicity Specialist, Amazon MGM Studios + Prime Video

SPEED MENTOR: SESSION 2

  • CHERISSE MCKENZIE
    Vice President, Production (Branded) at Fullwell Entertainment
  • DJ NINA 9
    Host, "The Ride" on Hip Hop Nation
  • Erica Tucker
    Co-Head of Talent at AM PR
  • Tressa Azarel Smallwood
    Founder & CEO of MegaMind Media
  • Yasmine Pearl
    Talent Agent UTA

Host & MODERATORS

  • SCOTT EVANS
    TV Host & Executive Producer
  • Brande Victorian
    Freelance Entertainment Journalist
  • DonYe Taylor
    Creative Expert & Cultural Architect
  • NANDI HOWARD
    Vice President of Content, ESSENCE
  • Okla Jones
    Contributing Entertainment Editor, ESSENCE

experiences

  • PANELS

    Insightful discussions focusing on topics relevant to success in Hollywood.

  • OFFICE HOURS

    Ready to give your purpose the push it needs? In these intimate small-group sessions curated just for you, you'll hear the unfiltered truth about what it's like to build a career in the film and television industries from the pros who have walked the walk.

  • SPEED MENTORING

    Make life-changing connections to help you successfully navigate the film and television industries at the Essence Hollywood House speed mentoring sessions, where you'll gain valuable advice and insights from key players on how they went from chasing their dreams to making them a reality. 

  • ACTIVITIES

    Fun, engaging interactive activations.

Hollywood House is an event open to emerging and established individuals within the TV and movie industries, including creators, actors, directors, producers, visual storytellers, agents and behind the scenes professionals. It is a safe space for insightful conversations and networking.

Prohibited Items include:

  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Animals (except service animals)
  • Backpacks, Bags or Purses larger than 10 x 10 x 16
  • Balls, Frisbees, or other projectiles
  • Bicycles, scooters, skateboards or skates
  • Firearms, knives, no weapons of any kind, or other items considered dangerous by security or law enforcement personnel (ex: pepper spray, tasers, stun guns, brass knuckles, handcuffs, etc.)
  • Fireworks or other incendiary or flammable devices
  • Food and Beverages (except those sold by event vendors)
  • Glass bottles or containers
  • Ice chests and coolers of any size
  • Drugs, drug paraphernalia, or illegal substances
  • Laser Lights/ Pointers
  • Smoking or the use of E-cigarettes, sticks or poles
  • Unauthorized literature or promotional giveaways, soliciting, or unlicensed vending of any kind. Any items deemed unsafe or a potential annoyance to staff or guests

Unauthorized professional filming or photography is prohibited during the event.

Hollywood House is free to the public. Registration is required but there is no guaranteed admission to the event. Space is limited and registrants will be admitted on a first come-first served basis. There is no re-entry.

Hollywood House is open to attendees of all ages however, we will be diving into mature topics. Individuals younger than 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. A valid ID is required upon entry.

No outside food or drinks are allowed into the Hollywood House venue.

There is no required dress code for Hollywood House. Please dress to ensure your comfort.

621 E 12th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
**Entrance is located in the alley - off of 12th Street between San Julian and San Pedro

Check back here soon for announcements.

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