In order to capture the essence of HBCU Love, we worked alongside HBCU filmmakers to bring this project to life! Get to know them and learn what HBCUs they attended! 

Jonathan Aubrie Lewis

Jonathan Aubrie Lewis is an award-winning filmmaker who has been a professional director for the past eight years. His most recent film, “Sojourn,” (Vimeo Staff Pick) is an intimate exploration of Black male identity. It has screened at the Atlanta Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Raindance Film Festival, Holly Shorts, and most notably, The National Museum of African American History & Culture, a part of the Smithsonian African American Film Festival. At Jonathan’s core, he is rooted in the stripped-down raw fundamentals of storytelling; always stimulating the mind of the viewer- challenging them to step beyond their boundaries into his visual escapade. Because of this personal mandate, he has developed a reputation of creating bold visuals, interlaced with a thought-provoking story. Jonathan, who attended Clark Atlanta University, is currently developing a socially charged dance experimental film entitled, “We are THE BEAT.” 

Torell Shavone

Torell Shavone is a storyteller dedicated to highlighting authentic stories that feature women and people of color. She received her MFA in film from Howard University and her B.A. in journalism and mass communications from North Carolina A&T. Torell has written and directed several short films, including the 2018 short “Where The Water Meets The Sand,” which screened at festivals across the country, including San Francisco Black Film Festival and the African Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival. She is an associate producer on the 2019 independent feature “All In,” which won the 2019 Audience Award at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and premiered on BET Networks. She also associate produced the 2019 TV One feature film “Sinners Wanted.” Torell worked as a key member of the team for the 2020 BET Her Shorts Initiative featuring The Waiting Room and The Couch series, which focused on breast cancer awareness and brought attention to issues of mental health. Torell incorporated her passion for dramatic storytelling in her recently directed music video “Awakening.” She directed the 2020 music video “Clumsy,” which made its world premiere on BET Her, BET Soul, and BET.com.

Reginald Titus Jr.

Reginald Titus Jr. is an entrepreneur and filmmaker based in Dallas, Texas, who attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. He is the creative director and co-founder of Grind Over Matter Inc./Grind Over Matter Films and he’s known for his ability to make high-quality productions on smaller budgets that are profitable. His first feature film “NATURAL HAIR THE MOVIE” was produced with his wife and is currently being streamed on allblk.tv and Amazon. Though Reggie graduated from Northwood University, he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha while at Wiley College and worked as a radio personality for KBWC 91.1. Reginald has been producing videos professionally for clients since 2009.

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Celebrate your legacy. Click here to check out the rest of the HBCU Love Stories.