Mary J. Fears

Mary Fears, a retired Volusia County school media specialist, graduated from Bethune-Cookman College and Florida State University. After having earned a B.S. Degree and Masters in Library and Information Science, she has become a professional storyteller, genealogist, and author of four books: The Jackson-Moore Family History, Slave Ancestral Research, It's Something Else, Civil War and Living History Reenacting About ìPeople of Color" and Julie's Journey. The latter title is an inspirational memoir about the author's daughter, Julie LaVera Anderson. Most often expressed is the statement: "Julie's Journey is a book you cannot put down."

Knowledge gained from African-American history research is a vital part of every storytelling program. Mrs. Fears specializes in telling stories based upon historic documents rather than fictionalized versions of African-American history.

For over 30 years. she has presented storytelling performances in numerous schools, churches, colleges, universities, museums, and at historic sites sponsored and supported by civic, social, religious and educational organizations. She is committed to telling African-American history stories for the education of adults and students.

Mrs. Fears has presented genealogy lectures at local, state and national genealogy conferences and given storytelling performances in Washington, DC, in twelve Florida counties and four other states: Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina. Frequently, requests are received for repeat performances.

Tyrone Young

Tyrone Young has established himself as one of the premiere, up and coming filmmakers in the industry today.

Over the past two years he has worked relentlessly, proving himself as a forward thinking director with impeccable vision. His debut film, "TRUE ADVERSITY" is knocking down doors all over the industry. It has garnered the 2004 Best Drama Award at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, the 2004 Telly Award and has received a host of outstanding reviews from teenagers and adults alike.

Tyrone began his career in Hollywood working with great artists such as the late Tupac Shakur, the late Barry White, Gena Davis, Cake, Jewel, Producer Dr. Dre, Ice-Cube, Luther Vandross and many others.

In 1992, he began working as a production assistant in Los Angeles, where his dedication and hard work advanced him quickly in the production world. He became one of the most sought out First Assistant Directors.

He formed Ellavision Entertainment in 2001 to fund his own documentaries and to produce films independently. His ability to create and focus led him to direct and produce media for St. Mary's School, Mt. Sinai Hospital, The Guyanese Association of Florida, WorldNow, a pilot for UPN 69 "Twelve," television show "Everyday Verbatim," and many more. His debut film "TRUE ADVERSITY" speaks well of his well-rounded talent as a producer and filmmaker.

Tyrone trained as an actor at Weist-Barron and Hill acting studios in Burbank, California, which landed him a few acting jobs in Hollywood. He has several screenplays ready for production. For him the right time is only a few thousand dollars away, a solid production crew and a willing cast.

Tyrone has a reputation for making it happen.

Tyrone's Website: EllavisionEntertainment.com

Richard Pabis

Camera operators, writers, and actors play an important role in filmmaking, but ultimately it is the vision of the director upon which the success of the project rests. No matter how great the cinematography, how enjoyable the story line, nor how wonderful the acting, if a movie is conceptually weak, it will fail. Producer/Director Richard Pabis knows how important individual concepts can be.

Born and raised in Poland during “Cold War” occupation by the Soviet Socialist Red Army, Richard found himself a highly creative mind in a utilitarian society. "I was always being told not to ask too many questions," recalls Richard. "They wanted me to conform to 'their' vision of society. But I saw so much more than they did... their way didn't make sense."
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Richard's Website: FloridaTravelChannel.com

Donovan C. Muir, Sr.

Jamaica born, New York raised.

Donovan was only nine or ten years old when his brother, Girvan gave him his first camera . . . a 120mm point and shoot film rig. This was the foundation of his career in photography and video production.

Donovan attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, took correspondence photography courses with N.Y. Institute of Photography and worked as a electronics technician while in New York.

Donovan has worked on countless video projects with companies such as Universal Studios, Discovery Health, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Florida Travel Channel, WMFE TV24(PBS),etc.

These companies and their various projects, represent a small cross section of his work in the broadcast industry.

Donovan is grateful to be a part of the "Filling The Gap" production team, as we turn back a few pages in history and illuminate the various contributions of those who paved the way for us.

Trevor Brown

Trevor Brown is originally from Wichita, KS. Graduating in 2005 with The Advanced Achiever Award from Full Sail in Orlando, FL, Trevor earned an Associate's Degree in Film and a Bachelor's Degree in Entertainment Business. Soon after graduating, Trevor formed Monkey's Uncle Production, LLC which is a one stop multimedia production business specializing in creativity. Trevor has worked on many projects as a writer, editor, webmaster, producer, multimedia consultant, 1st AD, graphic artist, and sound engineer which has made Monkey's Uncle Production, LLC one of the most recognized multimedia production studios in Orlando, FL. Trevor's all inclusive, well rounded, and creative experience in multimedia production identifies him and his business with a new breed of polymathic production.

Trevor's Website: MonkUncPro.com

Vincent A. Malcolm

Vincent A. (Vinnie) Malcolm was named vice president/general manager of KTLA-TV (CW5), Los Angeles, in March 2004. He is responsible for all aspects of the station.

Previously, he was station manager from 2002 to 2004. He was responsible for overseeing the sales, production, news, engineering and creative services departments, and for developing the station’s strategic and operating plans.

From 1998 to 2002, Malcolm served as general sales manager at KTLA, responsible for the station’s sales and marketing functions, including local and national sales and research. He was the station’s local sales manager from 1994 to 1998, after serving nine months as regional sales manager upon joining KTLA in 1994.

Prior to KTLA, Malcolm held account executive positions at KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, from 1990 to 1994; KIIS-FM, Los Angeles, from 1987 to 1990; and WYNY-FM, New York, from 1983 to 1985. He began his career as a media buyer at Grey Advertising in New York in 1980.

Born August 9, 1958, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Malcolm holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising from Baruch College in New York. He serves on the board of directors for the Los Angeles Minority Advertising Training Program, The Los Angeles Urban League, Junior Achievement and the California Broadcasters Association.

Joel V. Fears

Joel V. Fears, Sr. is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas. After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, Fears was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at Johnson Space Center as a Telemetry Systems Engineer in the Flight Control Division and afterwards at the John F. Kennedy Space Center where he worked as a systems engineer with the Operations Division Gemini rendezvous radar and in the Design Engineering Directorate Gemini and Apollo spacecraft instrumentation and telemetry systems ground support equipment. He also supported the Space Shuttle Program as a telecommunications engineer for Paging and Area Warning System and voice communications systems, analog and digital. Prior to retirement in 1995 after 30 years as an employee of NASA, Fears served as a project manager in the NASA Project Management Branch.

During his employment Fears did advanced study in job related courses from the University of Florida and University of Central Florida. Further training was also received from U.S. Government Technical and Management Training courses.

After retirement Fears was employed by Daytona Beach Community College as manager/coordinator of a National Institute of Health (NIH) Grant, Initiative for Minorities in Mathematics, Science and Technology.

He is a Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the National Technical Association (NTA).

His non-professional activities have included lectures on genealogy and family history research, newsletter editor, website design and he is a Civil War re-enactor.

Joel Fears is a photographer and technical consultant for the historical docudrama, Filling the Gap.

Sheila P. Williams

Sheila P. Williams worked on Filling the Gap because she believed her heritage has been hidden from her people and she respected the project's intent to fill in what has been missing from her history.

Wife, mother, minister of the gospel, and office administrator.