NAACP and Adobe Announce the 2025 NAACP Creative Fellows and the 2025 Cinematic Shorts Competition Filmmakers
Empowering the Next Generation of Creatives Through Mentorship, Resources, and Opportunity
Los Angeles, CA - July 1, 2025 — Today, the NAACP, in partnership with Adobe, proudly announced the 2025 cohort of NAACP Creative Fellows and the 2025 NAACP Cinematic Shorts Competition Filmmakers.
The four Creative Fellows are dynamic emerging editors, digital content creators, graphic designers, and storytellers whose work reflects creativity, resilience, and a commitment to community.
Now in its second year, the NAACP Creative Fellowship empowers emerging creatives across the U.S. by providing access to Adobe Creative Cloud tools, mentorship from industry professionals, and 14 weeks to work part-time with the NAACP+ Studios production team on various projects integral to the NAACP.
"Creativity is a powerful driver of equity and culture," said Kyle Bowser, SVP of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau. "Through this fellowship, we're proud to support a generation of creatives whose work will inspire, educate, and lead."
The 2025 Fellows were selected from hundreds of applicants for their innovative ideas, bold visual voices, and dedication to using creativity as a force for social change.
Meet the 2025 Creative Fellows:
- Damarcus Adisa – Digital Content Creator, New York, NY
- Kai – Editor, Maricopa, AZ
- Andrea Vargas Moreno – Editor and Filmmaker, Raleigh, NC
- Tierra Thomas – Digital Creator and Social Media Strategist, Atlanta, GA
The NAACP Creative Fellowship program, in partnership with Adobe, is a 14-week paid program designed to equip emerging post-production professionals with skills in video editing, motion graphics, sound design, and social media content creation.
At the upcoming 116th NAACP National Convention, the Cinematic Shorts Competition will have six incredibly talented filmmakers, paired in teams of two to produce 5-7 minute short films within 72 hours from conception to final cut. The winning pair of filmmakers will each receive a $10K grant to produce a short film in collaboration with the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and NAACP+ Studios.
Meet the 2025 NAACP Cinematic Shorts Filmmakers:
· Demi Anais - Writer, Director, Producer, New Orleans, LA
· Auriyana Armour - Writer and Director, Dallas, TX
· Kyvon Edwin - Director, Producer, Writer, and Actor, New York, NY
· Kerri Garrett - Multi-discipline Artist and Creative, Atlanta, GA
· Mekhai Lee - Director, Writer and Actor, Charlotte, NC
· Ralph Parker - Director, Writer, Editor, and Musician, Wilmington, NC
The Cinematic Shorts Competition provides a platform for young adult filmmakers to showcase their storytelling skills and engage in hands-on production experiences.
"Adobe's partnership with the NAACP reflects our commitment to empower creators of all backgrounds so they can express themselves, tell their stories, and make an impact," said Amy White, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Impact Communications at Adobe.
For more information, interview opportunities, or media inquiries, please contact ImagePublicist@NAACPnet.org or visit www.naacp.org
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About NAACP: The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.