Society Talks

US Gold-Certified and Juno Award-nominated music producer, audio engineer, and musical prodigy Akeel Henry is making a name for himself in the industry, working along such illustrious artists as Grammy-nominated Desiigner, Shawn Mendes, Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremiah, Trey Songz, Toni Braxton, Swae Lee, and Daniel Caesar. Toronto-native and Los Angeles-based Henry trained under Noah ’40’ Shebib of OVO Sound, the record label co-owned by Drake, and is currently signed to R&B singer Babyface’s record label Laface.

Henry got his musical start in the church where he played the drums, keys, and later bass at age 5. He attended the prestigious Metalworks Institute, during which he interned at Phase One Studios and gained the opportunity to work with Drake’s producer Noah ‘40’ from OVO Sound. Akeel also worked frequently with Toronto producer DZL on a number of tracks, including Too Lit by Kid Ink, Got Me by Roy Woods (whose album reached the number two slot on the iTunes R&B charts), One of Them by Eric Bellinger (whose album climbed to number fourteen on the Billboard R&B Albums chart), and Wild Ting by 11:11.During this time, he also supplied his piano skills for Universal Music recording artist, Shawn

Mendes at his Pickering, Ontario ‘Leadership Benefit’ concert.

More recently, Akeel received a production placement on the US Gold Certified track Don’t Get Much Better featuring Jeremih, Ty Dolla Sign and Sage the Gemini, which is highlighted on the soundtrack of the latest installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS. This year, Henry has been nominated for two 2021 Juno Awards, “Jack Richardson Producer of the Year” for his work producing Trey Songz’ “Rain (feat. Swae Lee)” (co-producer Mike ‘DZL’ Holmes), Trey Songz’ “BACK HOME”, and Toni Braxton’s “Spell My Name” (co-producer Antonio Dixon), and he is credited as a composer on Savannah Ré’s album Solid which is nominated for “Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year”.

Henry’s instinctive passion for music doesn’t stop at his own, having opened his own recording studio in Toronto where he is currently developing new artists including LOONY. In his free time Henry enjoys playing basketball and supporting the Toronto Raptors.

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Niko Guardado exhibits a relatable magnetism, connecting to audiences in every role. Whether it be as a recurring guest star on ABC's hit The Goldbergs since 2016 or as a lead on FREEFORM's 2020 Party of Five reboot, he taps into the human experience at its purest. He kicked off his career in print advertisements at just eighteen months, building up an extensive resume. He landed a major breakthrough with a 2013 guest spot on Nickelodeon's Sam & Cat. As his profile rose, he appeared on popular programs such as The Fosters, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, and mini-series Lost in the West before joining the cast of The Goldbergs as real-life MLB player and general manager Rubén Amaro Jr. 2019 saw him join Party of Five in the role of Beto Acosta. Outside of acting, Niko remains active and heavily involved in non-profit 501 (c) (3) The Eddie Guardado Foundation-launched by his parents Lisa and former Minnesota Twins All-Star Eddie and raising awareness for autism. It was founded following his younger sister Ava's diagnosis with autism at age two and continues to do great work for children everywhere.

Find Niko on Instagram: @nikoguardado

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Marshall Cook is the writer and director of the Indie Favorite "FILM FEST". "FILM FEST" premiered at the AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL and is coming to Amazon and iTunes on March 2nd, 2021. "FILM FEST" is a fun look behind the curtain of what it’s really like for filmmakers and critics alike at the perceived glitzy film fest world. The film features Matt Cook (“Man With A Plan”) and Diona Reasonover (“NCIS”), as well as other familiar faces, including Will Sasso, Ellen Wong, Rachael Leigh Cook, and Laird Macintosh. Follow @thismarshallcook on Instagram and check out the official teaser trailer on Marshall Cook’s YouTube page. Marshall found his passion for film at age 9 while completing video projects for school. Born in Santa Rosa, California, Marshall graduated from Occidental College, Los Angeles, with a degree in Film and New Media Production, minoring in Theater. When he was 27, he directed, co-wrote, produced, edited and starred in his first feature film, Division III: Football’s Finest. He has directed, written and produced over 50 commercials (for broadcast and digital distribution) with producing partner Tyler A. Hawes, through their production company, Convoy Entertainment. When he’s not working, he loves doing DIY home improvement projects around his home – a fixer upper that he purchased with his wife. He has a bleeding heart for animals and donates to dog rescue organizations.

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Cuban actress, writer and fitness expert Bevin Bru is lighting up television screens across the nation on CW’s hit series “Batwoman” as Angelique Martin, Batwoman’s ex-girlfriend. Now in its 2nd season airing on Sundays at 8/7c, and just recently renewed for another season as reported by Deadline. Born and raised in Miami, FL, Bevin fell in love with being on stage and acting at the age of 8 years old when she started doing community plays. From that point on, she had one goal, and that was to make it to New York City and Los Angeles when she was of age to pursue her dreams of making it in the entertainment business. Surrounded by love from her siblings and her two moms, Bevin was always supported in pursuing her dreams. At the age of 18, Bevin moved from Miami to NYC to attend AMDA to further her education. When she first arrived in Los Angeles, Bevin took on many odd jobs to make ends meet before teaching fitness classes in Santa Monica, which she still does from time to time when she isn’t filming. From there Bevin began going out for auditions and booking commercials before landing her role as “Camille” in the horror film HEAD COUNT. Bevin is also known for her roles in series and films such as “Don’t Look Deeper, METRO, and “Private Sales.” When Bevin isn’t in front of the camera, she can be found working out on her Pelaton, lifting weights, teaching fitness classes through IGTV, taking spin classes, or practicing Qigong exercises. Bevin is also an active member of the LGBTQIA+ community having gay parents, a gay brother and being bi-sexual herself, the community and representation of said community has always been a big part of her life.

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TV Actress and Vegan/Animal Rights Activist Justina Adorno is returning to screens as she is set to play an edgier role in the third season of FX’s Mayans M.C.(Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT on FX and next day on HULU). Known for her fiery personality, the show will introduce her character to the Mayans Motorcycle Club in the same fictional universe as “Sons of Anarchy.”

Mayans M.C. follows the life of Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (JD Pardo), a newly patched member of the Mayans M.C. charter on the Cali/Mexi border. Once the golden boy with the American Dream in his grasp, EZ and his brother Angel (Clayton Cardenas) are closer than ever after uncovering the truth behind their mother’s murder while their father Felipe (Edward James Olmos) struggles to reconcile the choices he and his sons have made. Additionally, the Mayans seek vengeance on their rivals, the Tijuana M.C. Vatos Malditos, after a surprise attack on their club. When the smoke clears, they discover the body of a Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original – there will be hell to pay. Michael Irby, Raoul Max Trujillo, Richard Cabral, Emilio Rivera, Sarah Bolger and Sulem Calderon also star in the gritty motorcycle drama. Mayans M.C. was co-created by Kurt Sutter and Elgin James. The series is executive produced by James, Michael Dinner and Sutter.

Season 3: Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW5uBPniHRs

Born in the Bronx, NY to Puerto Rican, Adorno got nullher elementary education as a student in Catholic school where she developed the understanding that the world was based on storytelling, either in a religious or a non-religious way. As a pre-teen she moved with her mother to South Carolina and attended a magnet program for acting called PCA (Palmetto Center for the Arts) where she fell in love with theater and later auditioned and attended South Carolina Governor School for the Arts and Humanities to fully begin her pursuit in acting. She attended Coastal Carolina University, graduated with her BFA in Acting and moved back to NYC. While in NYC, Justina booked a couple of national commercials and appeared in NBCs 2016 Diversity Showcase.

She landed a few roles, one of them being the crime drama Netflix series, based on the Russian film The Major, “Seven Seconds,” where she played ‘Jasmine,’ a reoccurring role. In 2019, she joined the Eva Longoria produced provocative drama, “Grand Hotel”which aired that summer on ABC. While being a short-lived show, Justina enjoyed playing the role of ‘Yoli,’ a character discovering her sexuality and coming into her own by being comfortable in her skin despite the constant comments about her weight. In early 2020, Justina played the part of ‘Steph’ in The CW’s sci-fi TV drama “Roswell: New Mexico.”

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Miguel Chavez is making waves as one to watch in Peacock’s comedy series “A.P. Bio,” (now streaming it’s third season on NBCUniversal’s streaming service). Miguel also got to work alongside Glenn Howerton (FX’s “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), and Jean Villepique (Netflix’s “BoJack Horseman”), his other current projects, as well as his career overall. A.P. Bio centers around a Harvard philosophy professor, Jack Carson Griffin (Glenn Howerton) who loses out on his dream job to his rival Miles Leonard (Tom Bennett), he is forced to return to Ohio and work as an advanced placement (A.P.) biology teacher at Whitlock High School. Jack makes it clear to his class that he will not be teaching any biology but later realizes that he has a room full of honor-roll students. Jack decides to use them for his own benefit and to get revenge on Miles. Eager to prove that he is still king of the castle, Principal Durbin (Patton Oswalt) struggles to keep Griffin under control. Miguel plays the role of ‘Eduardo,’ a shy, introverted student who’s best friends with the nerdy, Victor Kozlowski. Eduardo’s main focus is to obtain what every high school boy puts his main energy into, finding a girlfriend. Miguel was born and raised in Southern California to a Mexican father and a half-Korean, half-Mexican mother. Miguel first discovered his love of the arts and acting at the young age 13 and began participating in community theater, as well as school paly productions and playing the saxophone in band. Continuing to grow and develop his love for the entertainment industry, he majored in filmmaking and graduated with a BA from Woodbury University in Burbank, CA. After graduation, Miguel enrolled in a stunt school, Stunts in Motion, where he trained under fight choreographer, certified stunt coordinator/performer, Jack Huang. On his free time, Miguel is dedicated to his fitness regimen, working out 6 days a week, weightlifting and practicing Yoga. An avid reader, he enjoys books such the high fantasy novel Lord of the Rings and Thirsty: Thirst, a self-help book. He hopes to be a role model for the Latinx and Asian community and to continue the on-going conversation of how important representation, diversity and inclusivity is in Hollywood.

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Aneesa Leena Sheikh is a singer, Miss Michigan Teen USA, and a figure skater. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, and raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan as the youngest of five siblings, Aneesa Leena Sheikh is half Pakistani and American. She grew up in an ice rink, training in competitive figure skating. Alongside her love for the sport, she simultaneously pursued her talent in and passion for music and performing by playing the guitar, singing, and songwriting. While graduating at the top of her High School class, on a spur she entered her first pageant and won the title of Miss Michigan Teen USA 2O2O fall of her senior year. After her father underwent a medical crisis, Aneesa, who was living with him at the time, turned the tough time into triumph by founding a non-profit organization, “Music4M.I.R.A.C.L.E.” that aims to spread music therapy. Aneesa describes herself as a proactive, strategic, and highly ambitious person, but also a compassionate and faithful friend, which is parallel to the literal definition of the name “Aneesa”. Music has the power to transport us to another time and place. Aneesa loves to harness that power with a broad audience of fellow music lovers and passionate musicians alike. Ever since a young age, Aneesa has found great joy and satisfaction in making music and sharing it with fans and people all over the world. Starting from the ripe age of eight years old, Aneesa fell in love with her sister skating to Santana’s, “Black Magic Women”. That was the impetus of her wanting to play electric guitar. Soon after she began taking lessons on a classical ¾ sized guitar and joined the youth choir. Every chance Aneesa got to perform in front of others she took, even if it was playing “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin in a neon green ankle cast at her 5th-grade talent show. At the age of fourteen, she began to song write on her grandfather’s twelve-string guitar. Soon after writing her first three songs, she was invited to perform on the “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour” in Lexington, KY. From there on she turned her passion for music to her purpose in life. Aneesa attended IMTA (International Model and Talent Association Convention in New York thee summer of 2019) where she won “Most Sought after Female Talent” and a scholarship to record an original song. After winning the title of Miss Michigan Teen USA 2020 she released her debut single, “Bad Thing” in January of 2020.

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Piera Van de Wiel has captured the attention of the world and United Nations for raising awareness and relief funds for global causes. With this September marking the 1 year anniversary of Hurricane Dorian which devastated the Bahamas, she just released a music video for the single "Come Back Home" written to aid humanitarian efforts in the Great Abaco Island that consists of home footage supplied by the members of the community before the Hurricane destroyed the islands. The music video is currently competing in the renowned ARTS x SDGS Film Festival, and the song also received a Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Listener Impact at the Global Music Awards.With each impactful lyric, Piera is an artist passionate about social impact, and she understands how music can be used as a vehicle to increase awareness of Global Causes. She is the founder of her collective Stronger With Music that promotes the importance of Music and Mental Health and Music and Social Impact. Piera is a singer-songwriter and actor passionate about social impact and storytelling. She is the founder of the renowned philanthropic group "Stronger With Music," an influential collective that promotes the importance of music and mental health and music and social impact. She has worked and performed with NGOs globally, including the Barefoot College International, Applaud Our Kids Foundation at 54 Below, the Aspire Artemis Foundation, and has sung at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for International Women's Day sponsored by the Mission of Djibouti, and at other UN sponsored events around the world, including the Regional STEAM & Innovation Symposia in St Lucia with UN Women and Microsoft. As an actor she has worked in Hollywood on films including period drama "Strip Clara," 1950s film "Tainted Choices" which are both on the film festival circuit, Fox Films "Amsterdam in Anatolia", and performed at the prestigious Rose Theatre in London, London Salvation Army Hall, South Hill Arts, Atlantic Stage 2 with the Atlantic Acting Company in New York, and her leading role in Off Broadway production of The Three Musketeers as Milady De Winter with the Classical Theater of Harlem. This production was nominated for Off Broadway theatre awards including 9 Audelco Awards including Best Drama.

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Ryan "Bubba" Ginnetty, (director, production manager, and comedian) joins us on Society Talks to talk about his company, InCrowd, to keep live show comedy alive in the new pandemic normal. With tours cancelled, stay at home orders issued and social distancing changing the landscape of live concerts and comedy shows/performances for both fans and performers, one man is introducing a solution without leaving the comfort of home. Ryan “Bubba” Ginnetty launched a Los Angeles-based immerse innovative experience - "InCrowd", an original multimedia concept that creates an interactive stage where performers can interact via Zoom with fans who are safely at home. This allows the performers to see, feel and laugh with the audience which is a key element to stage performances. Comedians Drew Lynch (NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”) and "Comedy Central’s" James Davis are amongst the performers participating in the experience. Each LIVE virtual even can hold up to 50,00 General Admission attendees and 300 VIP Wall participants who will be displayed on screen and heard virtually anywhere in the world. Ginnetty's pandemic proof solution was to combine his stage and lighting design skillset and partner with Zoom to create "The Wall." VIP fans are shown to the performer via a 360-degree video wall during their performance, streamed LIVE over Zoom. Ginnetty designed 'The Wall' so that it is curved around the performer to simulate a surround-sound audience. The Wall projects up to 300 VIP participants who can see, hear and interact with the talent and other members of the audience. Each show is directed live and controlled by an in-studio broadcast and production team allowing for an ultra-high-quality multimedia stage show. When Ginnetty has time off from traveling around the world producing shows for DJ Snake, French Montana, and Zeds Dead, he is also a part-time stand-up comedian. With his background in comedy and stage/touring production, he meshed his two passions together to create InCrowd’s first production “The Secret Comedy Show,” a weekly comedy series/stand-up featuring comedy legends like Sarah Silverman, Drew Lynch, Damon Wayans, Bryan Callen, Taylor Tomlinson, Tone Bell, Ron Funches, Brad Williams, Iliza Shlesinger and Reggie Watts. This partnership has allowed InCrowd to sell out audience from all around the world, and they have already reached more than 7.5 million impressions. InCrowd Entertainment unifies the latest technology in live streaming and stage production with comedians, musicians, theatre productions and more that thrive in a live audience setting. From live studio performances and talk shows to concerts and theatre, InCrowd is the new way to experience live entertainment from the comfort of your home. Thank you Bubba Ginnetty for joining us on Society Talks!

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