Staff

The people behind the work

Active industry professionals with credits across BET+, Netflix, Amazon Studios, Apple Music, and more.

Dion Fearon

Founder · Film and TV Producer · Telly Award Winner

Dion Fearon is a feature film and television producer who has spent three decades mastering what works in front of the camera—and behind it. Now, she's bringing that insider knowledge to actors through ACT Immersively.

Born in Jamaica and raised in Baltimore, Dion arrived in Los Angeles in 1993 and began her entertainment career as an actor, working background on shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air while studying the business from every angle. That dual perspective—performer and producer—became her signature advantage.

As founder of Fearon Entertainment and former president of Diversified Music Distribution, Dion secured nationwide deals with Queen Latifah's Flava Unit Entertainment and mega-producer Herby "Lovebug" Azor. Her first feature, Never Die Alone (starring DMX), premiered at Sundance 2004 and was released by Fox Searchlight.

From 2005 to 2009 she was a full-time in-house producer for Polychrome Pictures/Warner Bros., producing The Game: Life After the Math. From 2006 to 2019, Dion served as producing partner to legendary filmmaker John Singleton, working on FX's Snowfall and BET's Rebel until his passing.

She has since produced the Telly Award-winning Finding Justice (2018) and nineteen episodes of the NAACP Image Award-nominated American Gangster: Trap Queens (BET+), as well as Ruff Ryders Chronicles and multiple documentary projects. With credits spanning features, scripted, non-scripted television, docu-series and documentary filmmaking, Dion understands exactly what it takes to perform at the highest level.

Fatima Washington

Instructor · Director & Producer · Telly Award Winner

Fatima Washington is a Telly Award–winning (2024) executive producer, director, and visual storyteller whose work shifts culture forward by telling stories grounded in universal yet deeply nuanced experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from UCLA and a Master of Fine Arts from USC's School of Cinematic Arts.

Fatima began her career in television on In Living Color and went on to direct music videos for Sony, LaFace, Arista Records, and Universal Music while still in graduate school. Her debut feature film, She's Got a Plan, premiered at the Urbanworld and Pan African Film Festivals, won the Audience Award at the 2017 Cine Odyssey Film Festival, and was acquired for distribution through AMC and ALLBLK.

Her producing and directing credits include American Gangster: Trap Queens (BET+/BET), which received an NAACP Image Award nomination, as well as projects for NBC, Netflix, CBS-Paramount, PBS, and Al Jazeera. A 2022 Blackhouse Producing Fellow, Fatima was tapped to direct Green Thumbs, a Tastemade–Blavity documentary examining how Black communities are reclaiming their connection to the soil through culture, history, and collective memory.

Fatima continues to develop new work across film and television, including a narrative project based on her book The Cliff Dancer, a period romance exploring themes of self-discovery, betrayal, love, and the pursuit of authentic living. She has also collaborated with Amazon Studios and Amazon Music on projects including Nicki Minaj's Queen Radio and Amazon Music Live, hosted by Grammy Award–winning artist 2 Chainz.

Clifton Bell

Instructor · Director, Producer & Editor

Clifton Bell is a visionary filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina, known for his dynamic storytelling and ability to capture culture through film. Over the years, he has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, including Kendrick Lamar, Nia Long, Latto, Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, J. Cole, The Roots, Swizz Beatz, Migos, Mike Epps, Jeezy, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Rita Ora, Lil Baby, Chris Brown, DMX, Birdman, Cam'ron and Nipsey Hussle.

Beyond his work with artists, Clifton has partnered with major brands and entertainment companies such as Roc Nation, Apple, Sovereign Brands, Def Jam Records, Sony Music, Atlantic Records, Universal Music, McDonald's and BET to bring compelling visual narratives to life.

One of his most notable projects is the critically acclaimed documentary The Cash Money Story: Before Anythang, which he directed, produced, and edited—exclusively released on Apple Music, providing an in-depth look at the rise of Cash Money Records. He has also expanded his creative horizons with Everything Is Both (2023, Producer) and Is It A Crime (2025, Director).

With a career spanning music videos, commercials, documentaries and filmmaking, Clifton continues to push creative boundaries, shaping the visual landscape of music and entertainment.

Tash

Writer / Producer / Director

Born and raised in South Central LA's tumultuous streets, TASH says she barely resisted the urge to become a gangsta rapper. Instead, she pursued her education, BA (UCLA) and MA (SDSU) in Film/TV. Immediately following, TASH worked as an eighth-grade teacher, educational consultant and grant writer. After joining her first writing staff, TASH transitioned into a second career as a full-time writer.

She's also an accomplished director and has one of her projects, Daddy's Home, streaming on multiplatforms. TASH, a multifaceted writer, works in both comedy and drama storytelling. As a comedy Writer/Producer, she recently served as Consultant Producer on the final season of Harlem (Amazon).

As a Writer/Producer in drama, some of her credits include: working with her late mentor, John Singleton, on Snowfall (FX/Hulu), P. Valley (Starz), Power prequel, Raising Kanan, and Reasonable Doubt (Hulu). Additionally, TASH has sold pilots to ABC, Starz and OWN networks. She is currently in development with Skydance TV, and Field House/CBS Studios, respectively, striving to tell stories that embolden, inspire and encourage Black women.

Ultimately, TASH says her goal is to tell stories that prove that both her melanin and ovaries have superpowers, so her #blackgirlmagic is real and #blackwomensavetheworld.

Erik Rudo

Actor, Instructor

Erik Ajamu Rudo is a SAG-AFTRA actor, acting coach, and creative mentor based in Los Angeles. As a working actor in film and television, he helps performers bridge the gap between craft and career through practical, emotionally truthful on-camera training.

A longtime student of the renowned Chubbuck Technique, Erik specializes in script analysis, character development, emotional authenticity, audition preparation, and on-camera performance. His coaching emphasizes creating honest, compelling work that resonates in both auditions and professional productions.

Erik serves as an acting coach at the Tasha Smith Actors Workshop (TSAW), where he coaches actors ranging from beginners to seasoned professionals preparing for film, television, and streaming roles. His teaching combines disciplined technique with real-world industry insight, helping actors build confidence, consistency, and long-term careers.

As an actor, Erik's credits include The Business of Christmas, A Better Baltimore, Lace, and Fosters Law. His ongoing work in the industry keeps his coaching current with today's casting and production landscape.

Known for his supportive yet demanding approach, Erik is committed to helping actors develop fearless performances, sharpen their instincts, and discover a reliable creative process that allows their individuality to shine.