Meet The Team

Antoinette Ellis-Williams, Visual Artist, Professor, Minister, Poet and Newark Resident.

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Founder Red Dirt & Pot Liquor, Memory & Legacy Project for Black Women 60+ years old.

Khadiyah Thomas is a Newark based producer that focuses on engaging Black stories that connect the community over the diaspora to impact social change notably working at with Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Pure Motion Pictures, Nickelodeon and the Emmy-Award Winning Dream Play Media.

She has worked in several productions as a creative thinker, cinematographer, writer, and producer. She began her career shortly after graduating from New Jersey City University as the 2018 Dr. Joseph Drew Award recipient for Excellence in Production for her film “Ma Liberia”.

Maxine Antoine is a freelance filmmaker that is passionate about magnifying the voices of the community through both documentary and narrative storytelling. She has been nominated for two of her films, "The Piece I Let Go" and "Let Your Hair Down" most notably by the Newark International Film Festival. When she is not working on media projects, she is focusing on her family and making an impact in her community.

Dominique Jean is a director, writer, editor and cinematographer based out of New Jersey. She is a recent graduate from New Jersey City University with a B.A in Media Arts. Through multiple mediums she is helping shine a light on stories existing in the margins.

Vanessa Arteaga is the Project Assistant for Red Dirt & Pot Liquor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts with a minor in Communication Studies from Montclair State University. Her interests lie mainly in creating accessibility in the arts, illustration, and graphic design.

A filmmaker and teaching artist in the Bronx, Corey has worked as a editor, producer, and gaffer on a feature film, several web series, and short films available on BlackOakTV, Tubi, and Amazon Prime. His most notable projects are Prospect Park Series (2021), Don’t Be Desperate (2021), and Delilah (TBA).

When he’s not filming, Corey is a Media Arts instructor at The Door - A Center of Alternatives in NYC. There he helps assist young people as they explore their interests in film and photography.

Denise Toney is a New Jersey multi-disciplinary artist who delves into fiber art, découpage, collage, mixed media, 3D art, and quilting using predominantly African, Aboriginal, and other imported and domestic textiles. She “paints” with the medium of fabric and is the owner of Denise Toney Designs, LLC – a full-service creative design company. She has been selected for several juried art exhibitions and appears in five publications.

LaVon E. Featherstone is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and coach who dedicates her time to empowering others to be the best versions of themselves through self-expression through the creative arts.