Vanessa Butler

Vanessa Monique Butler was born and raised in Miami, Florida to Warren Williams and Ersula Butler.   She decided at an early age that she wanted to be a writer and entered the “Do the Write Thing Essay Contest” where she was among 25 finalists.  She then became involved in the theater program in high school by writing plays.  Vanessa Butler a junior Mass Communications major at Savannah State University where she has matured into a hardworking, goal driven, dedicated person. She volunteers with numerous organizations including but not limited to the Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club, the May Street YMCA, and Inner City Emergency Night Shelter; as well as volunteer projects including JET Magazine, Ebony Dream ESCAPE, and the Ronald McDonald House for World Kids Day. She is a very active member of numerous campus organizations including but definitely not limited to Student Orientation Leaders, the National Council of Negro Women, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Tiger Ambassador, Mass Communications Student Association, and the History Club.  Ms. Butler’s future goals are to become a scriptwriter and director.

Michael Cherry, Sr.

Born in Savannah Georgia, Michael A. Cherry was educated in the Chatham County Public School system. He was once told that “in life you have to do what you love and makes you happy”. The first born son of middle class working parents, Michael chose a career in the arts rather than follow in his father's footsteps. As a student at Savannah State University, he has mastered his technique under the tutorial of Professors R. Franklin and K.C. Walker.  Originally, he began honing his craft as a media consultant before specializing in Video and Audio production. He is best known for his directorial skills and an artistic eye, created with his exceptional videography skills. His works are exhibited in the relics of the Mass Communications department, and his work will forever live on.

Trina Samuels

Trina Samuels was born on February 17th 1985 to the parents of Livingstone Samuels, and Undray Peters in London, England. At the age of seven she migrated to the United States, where she and her family currently reside in Orlando Florida. Trina is the youngest of two sisters and one brother who she loves and admires dearly.  One of Trina’s most valuable roles in life is being an aunty of three nieces and one nephew. The unconditional love from Trina’s family and friends gives her the support and motivation to tackle obstacles and problems that she faces routinely.  In 2004 Trina enrolled in the prestigious “University by the Sea” also known as Savannah State University. Her chosen major is Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and Advertising, while also completing a minor in Sociology. Her earnest desire is to convey positive/ inspirational messages to the masses, while deconstructing demeaning stereotypes of the African American culture. Trina aspires to work at Ebony or Jet magazine in her near future.  At Savannah State University, Trina partakes in several leadership organizations, and functions. During the 2006 Spring Break, Trina was fortunate enough to be chosen to participate in the Alternative Spring Break program, where students and faculty members traveled to Mobile, AL to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. Ms Samuels is a member of  the Mass Communications Student Association, National Council of Negro Women, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Ladies of Venus and Elegance, Homecoming spirit committee while also serving as the current VP of the Student Orientation Leaders. Trina says “her involvement at Savannah State University has made her college experience exciting, but also excessively rewarding”. Working on campus in the office of Mr. Shed Dawson JR, the Assistant Athletic Director of Academics, the Y.M.C.A of Coastal GA as a youth instructor, volunteering at Backus Memorial Children’s Hospital, with Jet Magazine, and a volunteer basketball coach enables Trina to positively lead her mentees and peers.

Sharisma Sawyer

Sharisma Sawyer was born in Nassau, a small island in the Bahamas on December 28, 1985 as Sharisma Rhea Dojhue Precious Joy Sawyer. She is the third of six children and the only daughter to parents Shanala and Chester Sawyer.  Sharisma’s mother was an elementary public school teacher while her father, Chester Sawyer was an Art teacher at the publicly owned school, C.W Sawyer. Being an intellectual in high school for a number of years, gave her mother the dream of Sharisma having a career as a lawyer or doctor. However, Sharisma had acquired her creative and artistic capabilities from her father, thus giving Sharisma the vision of becoming a cartoonist and fashion designer. Though she was an erudite and studious individual, she still found time for her favorite movies and TV shows. In the eighth grade Sharisma had realized that she not only had immense love for film but she had also acquired her mother gift of writing stories. At the age of fourteen, she conceived her first film idea and entitled it, Secret on Sixth Avenue, ever since she realized that this is what she loved and she aspired to become a screenwriter. Throughout her high school years, Sharisma had realized that she also attained an interest in photography and visual effects. Upon graduation, Sharisma originally intended to attend The Savannah College of Art and Design with majors in Film and Television and Fashion Design and minors in Photography and Visual Effects. However, due to financial incapability, Sharisma instead attended Savannah State University to major in Mass Communications with a minor in Visual Arts and Business Administration. Ms. Sawyer now finds herself having great interest in war and non-fiction movies, and at least eight scripts that she conceived. She also possesses a portfolio of artwork and clothing designs that she hopes to someday create into the clothing line Noisiv Forego which means “Vision to go before”. She still seeks to attend Savannah College of Art and Design after graduation from Savannah State University to obtain her Masters Degree. Her goals are infinite and her determination is inexorable. She will be the first to ever become a Screenwriter, Director, Photographer, Visual Effects Artist, Fashion Designer and indeed an Entrepreneur.