THE TEAM

Cajardo Lindsey

Writer | Actor | Director

Cajardo Lindsey is an actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, and attorney. He has maintained a vibrant acting career, acting in more than 40 stage productions and over 15 film and television productions, including Shot Caller, Infinity Chamber, Independence Day: Resurgence, Force of Execution, and Silver City. He is hungry for deep and meaningful roles that break the mold and norm for African American actors. He wrote, directed, acted and produced the short films The Minstrel and the Bard and The Dance. Lindsey has been writing since the late nineties, starting with poetry, slam poetry, and screenwriting.

Michanda Lindsey

Producer

Michanda is the co-founder and owner of 22eleven, LLC, a company focused on creating, developing, and producing projects including, but not limited to, film, television, internet, and print media. Michanda has produced two short films - The Minstrel and the Bard and The Dance - and both of her films have premiered at Colorado's Color of Conversation Film Festival. Michanda's role in supporting artistry revolves around her emphasis on elucidating humanity’s complexity, vulnerability, and majesty - while celebrating authentic storytelling. Michanda brings a unique perspective to storytelling, filmmaking and character development rom her eclectic background as a former television news anchor, producer, and reporter, a priest, yogi, community leader and coach.

Jaselle Martino

Producer

Jaselle Martino is a Trinidadian-born, Brooklyn-based executive producer and director, creating narrative, branded, and documentary work for the past nine years. Jaselle recently produced the Disney plus Series "Growing Up". as a lead producer, jaselle has done a slate of branded work, including for Air Canada, Nike, Apple, and the 2020 Biden/Harris election campaign. Jaselle's short films include "Don't Go Too Far" which premiered at Cannes Film Festival, 2018; "Take Me Home" at Toronto Short Film Festival, 2017; and “Bike Tales” which she directed at Dubai International Film Festival 2016. Other recent projects include “Thank You For Your Service” (NBC Digital), “Working Homeless” (LA times) with producing partner Kacey Cherry. Jaselle also Line produced the hybrid docuseries “The Hair Tales” for Own/Hulu/Onyx, EP’d by Tracee Ellis Ross and Oprah Winfrey. As executive producer Jaselle is finalizing her breakthrough feature “Abdo and Saneya”, EP’d by world-renowned production company Film Clinic, Composed by French Composer Alexandre Azaria and Music EP’d by Jerome Lateur (The Artist). Through her company Chaconia Pictures, Jaselle engages in expansive storytelling that interrogates our assumptions about which stories are worth telling and who gets to tell them.

Monique Brooks-Roberts

Composer

Monique Brooks Roberts is a violinist hailing from Louisville, KY, with over 29 years of experience under her belt. Monique enjoys a busy and fulfilling career, having performed and recorded for many notable artists including, but not limited to, Alicia Keys, Common, Jill Scott, Mos Def, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, J. Cole, Shawn Mendes, and many more. Monique has played at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the John F. Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall, The Kimmel Center, Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, the world-famous Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, Russia, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, and plenty more.

J. Aaron Brooks-Roberts

Composer

Aaron Brooks Roberts was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and is a record producer, keyboardist, and performer. Aaron was awarded a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Soon after, he worked for a production company creating with acclaimed artists like Anthony Hamilton, Angie Stone, Eric Roberson, singer/songwriter Courtney Harrell, LovHer, and many others. Aaron moved to New Jersey to pursue music and soon after, co-produced an album with jazz vocalist Rajdulari called 'Journey of a Woman,' which combined a mix of jazz, soul, and r&b. This album held to the top of the charts in the UK for many weeks.

Steve Borne

Technical Sound Editor/Designer

Steve Borne has been a TV and Film Sound Designer and Mixer for over 30 years. Some of his projects include; SNL, Nurse Jackie, The 13th Warrior, The Brothers McMullen, The Sinner, Raising Victor Vargas, The Half of It, Master of None, Jane Fonda in 5 Acts, and Hello Tomorrow. Steve has numerous awarded works to his credit including Emmy’s, NYFF winners, Sundance winners, and more.