Theme: Breaking Barriers

We will have 5 fascinating speakers will share their viewpoints on the theme of “Breaking Barriers.” We will explore various aspects of this theme through talks about personal motivation, storytelling, and the limits of technology. The purpose behind the choice of this theme is to connect, celebrate, and share the stories of those who have crossed hurdles and gotten remarkable things accomplished.

This event will feature live speakers, live music, snacks, and refreshments.

MPC
8921 Lindblade Street
Culver City, California, 90232
United States

Andrew McGregor

Inventor, Non-Profit

Andrew has an eclectic background in the not-for-profit and social enterprise worlds drawing from his expertise as a filmmaker, inventor, writer, chessboxing champion, entrepreneur, frequent TEDx speaker, mentor, Highlands games athlete, photojournalist, and a founder of The Tiziano Project. He was named one of ‘LA’s 40 Most Interesting People’ by LA Weekly, was part of a team that won the SXSW Interactive Award for Activism, won the ‘Foreigner’ division of an Independence Day Chess Tournament in Kazakhstan, his work and speeches won MindshareLA’s ‘Showcase Series’, he was featured in the Sports Section of the ‘NY Times’, and he has even received a Certificate of Appreciation from LA’s City Council!

Angela Marie Hutchinson

Producer, Casting Director, Writer

Angela Marie Hutchinson is a writer, producer, casting director and former talent agent. She has authored six books available on Amazon, including a comedic adventure memoir, "BReaKiNG iNTo HoLLyWooD," and four children's picture books. Her first e-book, “DBA: Doing Business As,” was named by Rolling Out magazine as “the go-to guide for entrepreneurs to launch a business in 24 hours.” Hutchinson has been featured in several publications as a power player breaking barriers and empowering professionals to achieve their dreams. A Chicago native with 15 years of industry experience, Hutchinson has worked for MGM, Warner Bros. Television and the GRAMMYs. As a casting director, she has cast veteran actors such as Billy Dee Williams, Lynne Whitfield and Vanessa A. Williams. Hutchinson's first feature film that she produced, wrote and cast, "Hollywood Chaos," starred Vanessa Simmons and aired on Hulu. In 2016, Hutchinson directed and produced the PBS documentary, “H.U.S.H.,” about Hollywood’

Ben West

Director

Ben West Ben West is an award winning filmmaker and creative director. He has a Masters in directing, over 15 years experience in film, visual effects and design, worked on hundreds of commercials, television, features dark rides and virtual reality projects. He started his career as an Architect, studying at University of Technology Australia. As a designer with Cox Architects, Ben developed advanced techniques for filmmaking and Architectural design on many International projects including the 2000 Sydney Olympics. In 2015, Ben was featured by UNCUBE, CHAOS and the BBC as an expert in Architecture and filmmaking. He was also a studio advisor at University of California, Los Angeles, for the Suprastudio Architectural Masters programme. His recent work, a collaboration with architect Greg Lynn, is featured at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2016.

Semaj Clark

Student

Semaj grew up in the midst of violence, chaos and dysfunction in South Central Los Angeles. He was placed in various foster homes where he was emotionally and physically abused. With no guidance at home, he turned to life on the streets. As a teenager, his participation in two programs—the Brotherhood Crusade and BLOOM—inspired Semaj to get a high school diploma, attend college and engage in self-development. In October 2015, while attending a Juvenile Justice conference on community safety in Savannah, GA, a teenager attempted to rob Semaj and then shot him in the back, leaving Semaj paralyzed from the waist down. After rehabilitation for his spinal cord injury, Semaj returned to Savannah to live, study and help problem solve. His desire to run to the fire instead of away from it motivated him to create his own organization, F.I.R.E., which stands for Forgiveness, Introspection, Respect and Education.

Shira Myrow

Psychotherapist

Shira is a mindfulness-based Marriage and Family Therapist and Meditation Teacher who is deeply committed to helping people integrate painful experiences, adversity and dysfunctional relationships into secure, resilient narratives. With a masters degree in Clinical Psychology, Shira is the founder of Yale St. Therapy Group, a collaborative therapist collective based in Santa Monica, California. Shira is also a Curriculum Director and Meditation Teacher for Evenflow, a next-generation meditation app that combines meditation, technology and psychological insights. Shira’s clinical work focuses on helping couples and individuals work through co dependency, ambivalence and betrayal, as well as complex trauma in an age of anxiety and shifting cultural norms. Shira has a special focus in working with adult children of severely mentally ill parents who suffer from schizophrenia, bi-polar and borderline personality disorders.