Black Women Film Network Marks 15 Years

 ATLANTA -- Celebrating nearly 15 years, the Black Women Film Network will hold its annual Untold Stories Luncheon on March 11, at Atlanta's Marriott Marquis to recognize an array of all-stars.   The honorees represent the best in the industry at the art of telling or selling untold stories.

"Our Untold Stories Luncheon is a vehicle for showcasing excellence," said BWFN Founder Sheryl Gripper. "We are excited about these individuals making important strides in film and new media on all fronts."

Honorees:

Cassi Davis, a Spelman alumna, is a thespian of stage and film, appearing in many Tyler Perry Productions, including Madea Goes to Jail, Daddy's Little Girls and Madea's Family Reunion.  Additional appearances include Living Single, Chicago Hope and School Daze.  Davis won a NAACP Theater Award for best supporting actress in 2004 in Los Angeles.  

Chip Fields is an early groundbreaker —both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.  An actress, director, consultant and dialogue coach, her resume includes Good Times, Days of Our Lives and The Amazing Spider Man TV Series.  She's directed episodes of One on One, All of Us, Girlfriends and The Parkers.  Also, Fields appeared in Facts of Life and Living Single, playing the mother of characters portrayed by her real-life daughter, Kim Fields.

Kim Fields played indelible roles on both Facts of Life and Living Single, and she has built on this legacy by adding producer, author and director to her resume.  She has directed episodes of Living Single, Kenan & Kel and The Jersey for Disney Channel.  Currently, she directs episodes of BET's Let's Stay Together.  For her work on The Vanities, she won a NAACP Theater Award.  

Keisha Knight Pulliam left a mark in the minds of the American public when she appeared as Rudy on the long-running Cosby Show.  The Spelman College alumna became the youngest actress ever to be nominated for an Emmy Award, best supporting actress, at age six.  She played Keisha on Sesame Street at age three.  Currently, she stars on House of Payne, which won her NAACP Image Awards for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series in 2009 and 2010.

Deanna Nowell, CEO of the Edit Factor, is one to watch in the realm of television, documentaries and film. The Atlanta-based, post-production expert has put finishing touches on projects for Turner Studios, TNT and TBS.  Her film works include The World of Julia Peterkin for Lightfoot Films, Three Can Play that Game for Sony/Screen Gems.

Terri Vaughn has a host of roles on her resume, but is widely known for her portrayal as high school secretary on the Steve Harvey Show. She's also appeared in Daddy's Little Girls and Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.  Vaughn currently stars on Meet the Browns.

Tirrell Whittley is the CEO of Liquid Soul Media, a go-to marketing source for film and television studios such as Disney, Warner Brothers and Tyler Perry Studios.  The company has worked on seven number-one box office films such as The Princess and the Frog and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  LSM won an Effie Award for its work on CNN Presents Black in America in 2008.