OUR BOARD
Who We Are
Johntrae Williams, M.Ed. holds a Masters of Education in Communication and Media Studies from Cabrini University. He is currently an Executive MBA candidate at Howard University, with a focus on Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services.
He is a hands-on motivator who is passionate about community and has a hunger for excellence. With over 15 years of experience in project management, he has a strong skill set for turning ideas into high-quality finished products
Johntrae specializes in providing media production with a keen focus on telling stories from marginalized communities, as well as utilizing data and proven strategies that build audiences and tells their stories.
ANWAR CURTIS
Secretary
A native of Harrisburg, PA, Anwar always respected his hometown, realizing its potential as a "small city with big city ambitions.” In 2011, Anwar began working in the education field, mentoring children from the City of Harrisburg.
Anwar is a founder of the Harrisburg Music Festival, founded in 2012, and The Weekender in 2018, which are annual events that give local businesses and entertainers the opportunity to be seen on a major platform. He is also one of the masterminds behind Levels Ready Entertainment, an entertainment company, which showcases and develops original content and events. Anwar Curtis has advanced his career by being an opinion contributor for publications such as Penn Live, Pennsylvania Capital-Star, and Soul Pitt, and enjoys informing the world about his perspectives.
Michael DePiero
Director of Fundraising
Michael A. DePiro is the CEO and founder of [Untitled] Productions Company, LLC. With over 15 years of experience in Film & TV Production and Live Event Management. He holds a Masters in Entertainment Business and Global Media Marketing from Full Sail University.
Michael excels at turning creative ideas into reality. Notable projects include "No Game Like Foxes" (2019) and "ZERA & The Thieves Of The Light" (2023). In addition Michael has been a producer and director on the touring show DePiro’s Divas since 2020. He's collaborated and managed projects with industry giants like Red Bull, Netflix, Hulu, Bravo TV, VEU, Inc., and The Imaginarium Studios in London.
Michael works to support other producers and directors in various aspects of their projects, from securing investments to managing contracts and dealing with SAG-AFTRA regulations.
His current focus is on the development of filmmaking in Central, PA.
Tatiana Esh
Director of Programming
Tatiana Esh. Artist, writer, filmmaker. A graduate of Cornell University’s Africana Studies Program, Tatiana currently works as the sole project manager of the Diaspora Solidarities Lab, a multi-institutional Black feminist partnership that supports solidarity work in Black and Ethnic Studies. Her experience has included organizing group travel, planning retreats, producing digital/in-person events, and fostering community amongst the fellows.
Prior to the DSL, she coordinated programs and curated an exhibition for Dark Laboratory, managed a student run café called the Green Dragon, and served as Creative Director of Collective X, a fashion magazine committed to highlighting marginalized communities. Currently, she’s focused on writing and illustration, finding joy in poetry and her watercolors.
Rhanisha Hill
Director of Festivals
Rhanisha’s journey embodies the spirit of resilience and adaptability. A proud native of Harrisburg and an alumna of Scit-Tech High School, she discovered her passion for science at Clarion University of Pennsylvania (now Penn West University), where her chemistry studies paved the way for a successful career as a chemist in a prominent paint manufacturer.
After five years immersed in scientific exploration, Rhanisha embraced change and transitioned to the dynamic world of sales. This bold move propelled her on a decade-long adventure, exploring diverse cities and cultures, until fate guided her back to her roots amidst the challenges of the pandemic.
Her pivot from the lab to sales was both demanding and enriching. Leveraging her scientific foundation, Rhanisha excels in cultivating creativity and effective communication, skillfully bridging the gap between innovation and practical application.
Now, as the Director of Festivals at FACTS, Rhanisha’s passion for cinema extends beyond entertainment—it’s a tribute to the beauty of diverse stories, reflecting her own journey. Embracing Shirley Chisholm’s wisdom that “service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on earth,” Rhanisha embodies this philosophy through her unwavering commitment to volunteering, seeking to nurture and uplift her community through the impactful work of FACTS.
TRISHA GOLDSBOROUGH
Director of Content Engagement
Trisha Goldsborough was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. She produced and starred in two independent short films while attending High School. Goldsborough's educational journey led her to Temple University. At Temple, she worked as a camera operator for the TUTV program, 'Temple Tonight', and a Key Grip for the Wandering Studios production 'SPIN'. Expanding into activism roles, Goldsborough worked as campaign coordinator with the Student Public Interest Research Group (Student PIRG) engaging in campaigns that promoted environmental justice.
After graduation, Goldsborough transitioned back into the professional world of film and entertainment. She embarked on her career with a role as a set production assistant on the SAG-AFTRA-approved film 'Dream Devil'. Trisha continues to make strides in her career, partnering with various organizations to assist with social media marketing and content engagement.
Marquis Lupton
Director of Public Relations
Marquis Lupton, a native of Lancaster, and a graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School, is an On-Air Host/Producer for WITF. A graduate of Shippensburg University (undergrad), and graduate of Morgan State University (graduate), Lupton is happy to bring his unique delivery and background back to Central Pennsylvania. Previously, Marquis worked as a board operator and Club DJ for FM97 WLAN, and later decided to switch gears to pursue television.
Switching from radio, Marquis got his start in television working for CNN as a control board operator for the Situation Room and later as an assistant field producer for CNN’s Pentagon Unit. Post-CNN, Lupton decided to get in front of the camera, and became a reporter/anchor making stops at CBS 21, WMDT ABC 47, and NBC 40 in Atlantic City. With a journalism career spanning over a decade, Lupton has had the opportunity to interview people like Sen. Corey Booker, former Gov. Chris Christie, Shaq, Oprah Winfrey, and a lengthy list of Senators, city council members, and State representatives.
Marquis also ran a digital media company for 5 years, called TCP Media Group, which was a media company aimed at giving marginalized groups in Pennsylvania a voice. Marquis returned to radio in 2022, and is excited to be back “home” with radio.
Shelby Wormley
Director of Work Force Development
Shelby Wormley is a Photographer, Visual Storyteller and Co-Founder of WE&Company. She is a native of York Pa. and has been living in Lancaster City for seven years. For the last decade she has worked in both print and broadcast news; using her camera as a tool to gather, document, learn and engage within her community.
She has been able to photograph people, cultural celebrations, ceremonies, and witness the many ways one can live. She considers herself to be a “concerned photographer” (Cornell Capa) and uses her camera and creative eye for education and change.
Saba Williams
Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion & Access
Saba Williams is a filmmaker, screenwriter, and award-winning social entrepreneur who blends creativity with social impact. Her journey in the non-profit sector ignited a commitment to use leverage business for social activism. In 2016, she cofounded the social impact beauty brand, Melanin Essentials, to address the inequities experienced by persons of color within the beauty industry.
As a former B Corp champion with a deep passion for sustainability and racial, social, and environmental justice, she has taken that same passion for equality in the beauty industry and has allowed it to fuel her endeavors in the entertainment industry, aspiring to shape an inclusive and equitable economy for all in film.
Saba specializes in the camera department primarily as an Assistant Camera on-set but also serves as a Camera Specialist at a rental house, servicing freelancers and production companies with equipment needs for seamless productions.