ABOUT

In 2012, Whitney Lee graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) with a Marketing degree and a Marketing Research Certificate. In 2020, Whitney earned her certificate in Nonprofit Management from UAB and Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. In January 2022, she began her Master of Community Planning with a Minor in Economic Development at Auburn University.

After a decade in retail management, Whitney began her career in the nonprofit sector as a Nonprofit and Cause Marketing Strategist. She partnered with nonprofit executives to grow their personal and professional brands, human-to-human. In 2018, she relocated to Auburn, AL to join the AmeriCorps Vista program. While at Auburn University, she has worked in Auburn Outreach, Auburn University Foundation, and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity. In November 2021, Whitney rejoined Auburn Outreach as the Outreach Programs Administrator in the Office of Public Service.

Whitney is dedicated to serving others in the community, from mentoring high school students to providing food and resources to families in need. Motto: “Success is on the other side of service.”

Jocelyn Moore was born and raised in Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, and home to many great leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. A Troy University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Mrs. Moore has volunteered for several local nonprofit organizations in her community. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she held many respected positions. Jocelyn Moore serves as the Vice Executive Director of Hiztorical Vision Productions. Her role is to use her skillset to protect the public interest in addition to maintaining the organization's mission, monitor production schedules, review several writing projects, and collaborate with committees but also monitor and strengthen them. As a student, Moore felt that African Americans' contributions to the fields of science, history, politics, and literature were often underrepresented in media, lectures, and textbooks. However, since joining HVP in 2017, she has had the opportunity to change that.

"African American history inspires me, and I feel that it is important for me to inspire others by sharing our history to equip them with the knowledge necessary to strive for excellence, leave a legacy, and motivate future generations." … Jocelyn Moore

"It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity, there is beauty, and there is strength." Maya Angelou

Stacey Pugh is a graduate of UAB, where she received a BBA in Business Administration and Management. She is currently pursuing her master's degree at Purdue University. Ms. Pugh has various certifications in the quality management and auditing sector in Manufacturing. Lastly, she has volunteered her services to other notable nonprofits in Alabama, such as the Aid to Inmate Mothers Inc. and the Junior League of Montgomery. She is the proud mother of one son, Jaison McKeithan, a sophomore student athlete at Mississippi College.

Dr. Derrick Brewster currently serves as the Chief of Staff/Higher Education Liaison for 525 Technologies. Dr. Brewster provides executive level leadership with full responsibility for driving innovation, operations, staff development and brand recognition across higher education institutions. Prior to that role, Dr. Brewster served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at his alma mater, Alabama State University. Dr. Derrick Brewster has also served as the Associate and Assistant Dean of Student Services at Troy University. As an ambassador for student services, he provides specialized services and support towards the success of transportation services, event management, student/campus engagement, judicial affairs, student counseling services, student health center, outreach coordination/Trojan Outreach, reservation services and serves on a host of university committees. He works closely with the senior administration at Troy University and manages a staff of directors, assistant directors, coordinators and student workers. He has 20 plus years of progressive administrative experience in higher education. Prior to serving those dual roles, he served as the Director of the Trojan Center, Assistant Director of Student Involvement & Leadership and Coordinator of Student Activities, all at Troy University.

Dr. Brewster received a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management in May 1999 from Alabama State University and subsequently received a Master of Science degree in Sport and Fitness Management in May 2006 from Troy University. He earned his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law in December 2019 from Alabama State University. His dissertation covered the Success of African American Male Students Attending a Predominantly White Institution as it Relates to Mentoring, Student Engagement and Self Efficacy.

Vanessa Echols retired in May 2022 after an award winning news anchor career at television stations in Tennessee and Georgia and most recently in Orlando, Florida. Vanessa is the recipient of three Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards.She also hosted an award winning podcast on race called Colorblind: Race Across Generations. While in Orlando, she also founded a nonprofit organization, Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach, which provided financial assistance to breast cancer patients going through treatment. Vanessa founded this organization after successfully battling breast cancer herself.

Vanessa grew up in Auburn and attended The University of Alabama, graduating with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Upon returning to Lee County, Vanessa has become involved in the community. In addition to Hiztorical Vision Productions, Vanessa is also on the Board of the Community Foundation of East Alabama, a member of the Mu Sigma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and an active member of her church, Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist.

Vanessa is also a published author of the book, WE’RE IN HEAVEN, AND I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

Monica Denise Riley is a community and electoral organizer that believes in the power of advocacy work.

"I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me." -Maya Angelou

Monica currently serves as the Alabama Grassroots Manager for the American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network. ACS CAN is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization working every day to make cancer issues a national priority. In this role, Monica recruits, trains, and manages all of the Alabama volunteers. Teaching people how to advocate for themselves and their communities always have and continue to be one of her top priorities.

Cheryl Ferguson, an archival assistant with Tuskegee University Archives, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Hiztorical Vision Productions.

As part of the Tuskegee University Archives team, Ferguson helps to preserve and promote the university’s rich history that spans more than 142 years. During her 12-year tenure with the university, she has developed areas of specialty that include archival research, digital preservation, digitization, outreach/development, and program management. She is a member of the Society of American Archivists, Society of Alabama Archivists and the Association of African American Museums.

Outside of her work, Ferguson is actively involved in the community. She is a Tuskegee native and graduate of Bethune-Cookman University. She serves on the Community Advisory Board for Forge Ahead Center and is a member of Tuskegee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Theo M. Moore II founded Hiztorical Vision Productions (HVP) in 2017 to educate the public on the untold inspiring history of African Americans in the South. Moore is from Anniston, Alabama, where he attended Anniston High School, where his love for history began. Moore earned a B.S. in History and an M.S. in Post-Secondary Education History at Troy University. Along with overseeing the daily operations of Hiztorical Vision Productions and being the writer and producer for each HVP film, Moore is the Ceo of Theo the Hiztorian LLC, providing producer and archival producer services to filmmakers and film companies. Also, under the umbrella of Theo the Hiztorian, Moore provides an online platform that educates audiences on preserving their property, saving their history, and getting funding to support preservation-related projects.

Moore has produced three award-winning films under the auspices of Hiztorical Vision Productions: Crown the County of Lowndes, Hobson City: From Peril to Promise, and Afrikan By Way of American. Also, Moore is the lead producer of film projects for the Bama Black History 365 Internship Program. All film projects have been screened in over 50 nationwide film festivals and screening events. Moore has received recognition from academic institutions, politicians, and community leaders for his efforts to celebrate African American history through the art of film-making. In December 2022, Moore became the first recipient of the David Brower Alabama Filmmaker Grant. Also, in May 2023, Moore received national recognition from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Theo M. Moore II was selected as a mentee for the inaugural PBS Ignite Mentorship for Diverse Voices.