◈ Homepage — http://www.hiddengemproject.com/PEOPLE PROGRAMS PARTNERS CLIENTS CONTACT ABOUT US   The Hidden GEM Creative Studios is a 501c3 workforce development organization and social enterprise that is dedicated to advancing the next generation of artists from marginalized communities who are committed to improving cultural, economic, environmental and health equity. By providing mentorship, professional education, employment opportunities and access to professional equipment, we aim to empower the Latina/o/x, Black, Indigenous (BIPOC) filmmakers in the media industry. FOLLOW US Co-founded by independent Black & Brown social justice artists who wanted to support displaced youth, a handful of media professionals came together to form a safe space for artists to build networks and develop businesses, while helping support the next generation of artists.  Over the years we have partnered to create innovative content for media campaigns, but also design and implement strategic educational programs to advance underrepresented artists. Projects we have lead in the past include: Youth UpRising – Go Digital: Media Career Pathways Program United Roots – UR Media Social Enterprise & United Roots Arts Program Mission Neighborhood Centers – Capitol Campaign Initiative Ashland Reach Youth Center – Media Program and Lab Infrastructure Urban Peace Movement – DetermiNation Black Men’s Video Program Oakland Museum – We Customize & Black Panther Exhibits Google – Black History Film Festival & Recruitment Event San Francisco State University – Latino/a/x & Black Filmmakers Student Groups Western Institute of Social Research – Conference for Social Justice Media Schoolzilla National Data Conference for American Public Schools [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”8″]          Website by Leonardomartin.com ◈ Interior Pages — 5 pages crawledARTISTS/ENTREPRENEURS Menu PEOPLE PROGRAMS PARTNERS CLIENTS CONTACT The Hidden GEM Creative Studios works with award-winning media professionals from the commercial media industry or the social justice non-profit arena to create innovative media and educational programs. Artists in our network are available for creative or instructional services , and can be reached through our CONTACT page. EXECUTIVE BOARD & ADVISORS Rafael Flores , MFA (Founder & Executive Director) Rafael Flores is a bilingual documentary and narrative filmmaker of Mexican-Lithuanian ancestry. He is Phi Beta Kappa Scholar who holds a Masters of Fine Arts specializing in Directing, Social Justice Film Production, Chicano Cinema, and Third Cinema. He also holds a BA in Comparative Literature and Cinema Studies from the University Washington. He is currently a lecturer at San Francisco State University and The College of San Mateo where he teaches Latin-American Cinema, Digital Film Production, Screenwriting and Documentary film. His work has been praised by various institutions that include: The White House, The Grammy Foundation, TED-X lecture series, the Cannes International Film Festival, the Writer’s Guild Theater of America, the London Guardian, and the Chicano International Film Festival. Erica Mendoza (Vice President, Directing/Producing Instructor) Erica Mendoza is a Mexican-Chicana producer, director and actress with a background in marketing, policy advocacy, immigrant rights, and HIV prevention. Erica has led various projects and media campaigns for clients that include: The San Francisco Foundation, The California Endowment, YR Media, Destiny Arts and Somos LOUD. Her work is focused on shedding light on the experiences of undocumented, refugee and first-generation people whose stories too often go untold. She is dedicated to creating films that will empower marginalized communities, provide career opportunities and lead to the diversification of the film industry that will ultimately improve the representation of people of color in the United States. Erica leads the social enterprise arm of the Hidden GEM Creative Studios which employs our talent base in the Bay Area and Southern California. Gabriel Negrete (Finance Advisor/Treasurer) Gabriel Negrete, MBA, CPA is Deputy Director at La Raza Centro Legal. Gabriel has served as Controller for La Raza Centro Legal for years and he continues to lead fiscal compliance and administration for the organization. Gabriel brings best practices and high level financial and operational controls. He has served in management positions in both nonprofit and the for-profit corporate worlds. Mr. Negrete lives in the San Francisco Bay Area but grew up in Southern California. His family has roots in Guanajuato, Mexico and represents the hopes and dreams of his ancestors as a a first-generation college graduate. Gabriel has also worked as a teacher, professor, and coaches middle school and high school students in baseball. Gabriel Negrete holds deep financial knowledge, strong leadership abilities, and a commitment to driving organizational growth and financial stability. He is a true professional with the highest levels of integrity and a kind person committed to our mission. Paul S. Flores, MFA (Director of Community Engagement) Paul S. Flores is a San Francisco artist of Mexican and Cuban-American descent who has built a national reputation for interview-based theater and bilingual spoken word. He integrates indigenous and Latino healing practices to tell the stories of real people impacted by immigration and systemic inequalities. Flores appeared on Season 3 and 4 of HBO’s Def Poetry . He is the author of the plays We Have Iré, which premiered in 2019 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts; PLACAS: The Most Dangerous Tattoo; and On The Hill: I Am Alex Nieto, as well as the novel Along the Border Lies . His commissions have come from The National Endowment for the Arts, Creative Capital, La Peña Cultural Center, MAP Fund, Pregones Theater, National Performance Network, SF Arts Commission, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-SF), and many others. His workhas played across the United States and internationally in Cuba, Mexico, and El Salvador. Paul is a Doris Duke Artist Award winner, and he teaches Theater at the University of San Francisco. He also works as cultural event producer at Acción Latina in San Francisco’s Mission District. His debut book of poetry We Still Be on El Martillo Press recently won the 2024 American Book Award. Shawn Granberry (Director of Donor Relations) Mr. Granberry is the CEO of HipHopTV, LLC, and founder of Watch Now Networks, Inc. He sits on the Temescal Business District Chamber of Commerce in Oakland and has worked in the entertainment industry for over 25 years and serves as the chair of the advisory board for the Hidden GEM Career Pathways Program to advance young people of color in the media industry. He started his career in the A&R department at Tuff-E-Nuff Productions (Clients include: Toni, Tone’, Tony, En Vogue, Madonna, Club Nouveau, Con Funk Shun, Timex Social Club, Regina Belle, Alexander O’neal, BET Networks, ABC & Fox Networks). Mr. Granberry also worked as a close confidant to acclaimed music producer Shakir Stewart to produce events like, Def Jam’s, “How To Find A Mega Star”. He has also worked closely with prominent movie producer, Robert Watts at Transformer Entertainment. Mr. Granberry also founded The Scholar Athlete Union and Bears Youth Basketball with help from childhood friend Jason Kidd, and works very close with Stanford and UC Berkeley faculty to support young people in securing professional education. Stefan Ruenzel (Director of Education & Instructor) Stefan Ruenzel is an award-winning filmmaker from Oakland, California whose produces narrative, documentary, and experimental films. Mr. Ruenzel has worked as Producer, Cinematographer and Editor on the “Open Road” nationally syndicated travel show on PBS, and his works has been recognized by the Cannes International Film Festival, The Sundance Institute, The California Endowment and the San Francisco Foundation. Mr. Ruenzel currently works as a freelance producer, director and cinematographer in the San Francisco Bay Area and has worked with entities that include Microsoft, Disney, Bloomberg, Genentech, The United Nations Foundation and Levi’s. Kavitha Dulai (Development & Fundraising Advisor) Mrs. Dulai is a Grants Coordinator and Development consultant with over 15 years of experience supporting non-profits and philanthropies who advance immigrants/refugees, youth, women and artists. She has previously held positions with the Aurora Theater Company, Chabot Space and Science Center, and the I Have a Dream Foundation under Tony Thurmand, the California Superintendent of Education. Mrs. Dulai has also worked as Economic Coordinator at Mahavi, an organization for South Asian women, under a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and has secured grants with the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, Kenneth Ranin Foundation. the Haas Fund, National Endowment of the Arts, and Zellerbach Family Foundation. Mrs. Dulai is also a creative writer and poet who was a former recipient of the SF Emerging Art Professionals Fellowship and a featured literary artist at the Kearney Street workshop’s APAture Festival. Roy Miles (Community Engagement Advisor, Animator & Designer) Also known as the Ghetto Geppetto, Roy Miles is a animator, toy maker and filmmaker from East Oakland. CA. His work has been praised by multiple institutions and he is one of the founding members of the Hieroglyphics Video Crew. Growing up childhood friend Del the Funky Homosapien, Roy draws upon his life in Oakland for his creative endeavors. Known for his animated series “HoodFoot”, Miles also creates merchandise and toys for his own brand line. Mr. Miles has CONTACT Menu PEOPLE PROGRAMS PARTNERS CLIENTS CONTACT WORK WITH US Feel free to write us if you are interested renting workspace , applying to our career pathways program , or want to know more about our events . If you are interested hiring an artist or production team please fill out the form below to set up a meeting with our representatives: https://forms.gle/kH7ZDB5RxYRAHwUx8 5621 Lowell St, Oakland, CA [email protected] Powered by Website by Leonardomartin.com Menu PARTNERS Menu PEOPLE PROGRAMS PARTNERS CLIENTS CONTACT POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION EXTERNSHIPS NON-PROFITS Website by Leonardomartin.com Menu CLIENTS Menu PEOPLE PROGRAMS PARTNERS CLIENTS CONTACT The Hidden GEM Creative Studios has served various companies, organizations and institutions over the years that include: x Client Testimonials: I have worked in content marketing for over 20 years in the broadcast media industry for brands such as MTV, Red Bull and Verizon. Under the management of Green Eyed Media, the production services coming out of the Hidden Gem Creative Studios has been on par with some of the top Emmy-winning production houses and agencies I’ve hired over my career. – Born & Raised Marketing The Hidden GEM Creative Studios & Green Eyed Media has been at the top of our list for years for when we need creative video collaboration services on projects relating to community-based arts and social justice. If you come to them with a concept for a video, they will bring a wealth of artistic and professional skills to help you both expand and refine your vision, get clear on a work plan and budget, and execute the work beautifully. – Cal Shakes Participant Testimonials I came to Oakland from El Salvador with my family. I am undocumented filmmaker and I could not get a job directing my own films. I graduated from the Hidden Gem Career Pathways program and developed my portfolio working on professional projects with The Hidden Gem Creative Studios. Now I am the lead editor at UR Media, and I have had opportunities to fund and direct my own films working with Green Eyed Media. – Claudia Suarez (Director & Editor) I am a sound designer and video editor who was raised in the exact neighborhood where the studio was founded. I feel it is extremely important to have spaces like this in my old neighborhood because I was displaced due to gentrification and had to relocate to Las Vegas. While I was working at The Hidden Gem as an apprentice, I was able to meet several professional filmmakers who helped me launch my career and give back to the community I was raised in. Being with Hidden Gem has helped me work with companies such as Adobe, Crunchyroll, Google and other major corporations as well as non-profit organizations. Honestly without the Hidden Gem, I would not have been able to build my reel which has helped me garner a lot of media work to feed my daughter and family. – Dashawn Clinton (Editor) I come from a Laotian refugee community and my family’s dream was for me to graduate from college, but after I finished film school, I could not find a job. It wasn’t until I was trained by professional filmmakers from Green Eyed Media at The Hidden Gem Creative Studio that I was able to take on big contracts. I come from Richmond, CA and my reel was not polished enough. There is not a lot of opportunities for us to make money telling social justice stories out there. Now I am just happy I can give back. – Sompong Viengvilai (DP & Editor) Website by Leonardomartin.com Menu PROGRAMS Menu PEOPLE PROGRAMS PARTNERS CLIENTS CONTACT CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM Hosting some of the Bay Area’s most promising artists of color, our Hidden GEM Career Pathways Program recruits and trains underrepresented visual artists ages 18-28 in the professional skills necessary to compete in the media industry. The program takes place over the course of three 8-week modules that span from September to June. Upon completion of our program, we provide artists with paid contracts , entry-level job placements, externships and access to post-secondary academic programs . We also provide mentorship , access to high level equipment , free classes , exclusive networking events & exhibitions dedicated to advancing artists in our community. To apply to our career program please email resume and any samples of work to: [email protected] SUMMER FILM LAB Hosting youth ages 11-24, the Hidden GEM offers a 5-day Summer camp to introduce new filmmakers to the technology and creative process behind making films. Students are introduced to screenwriting, professional 4K camera rigs, professional lighting gear, location sound capturing devices and editing platforms. Students practice with professional filmmaking equipment and work at our two story studio with industry professionals mentoring them throughout the process. Our program aims to not only guide students in developing their filmmaking skills, but helps develop creativity, communications skills, teamwork, and build a sense of community. SCREENWRITING & DIRECTING WORKSHOP The Hidden Gem Creative Studios is dedicated to providing career and technical educational for independent artists of color who have been marginalized by the mainstream entertainment industry and lack access to a public voice to improve their communities . Currently, our adult education programs provide mentorship , affordable training , exclusive networking events & workshops dedicated to advancing aspiring BIPOC screenwriters, directors and producers. Taught by award-winning industry professionals of color, our instructors lead all students through an intensive 8-week course as they develop a formal production plan for a short film they are developing. Lessons are three hours in length and are offered on a weekly basis. The program covers all aspects of pre-production and development, while also introducing students to core concepts of screenwriting and directing for narrative film production. 1 Time Registration Fee: $ 100 — 8 Week Class Tuition: $800 — Classes begin September 8th, 2025 To apply to our adult educational program please email to inquire about registration: [email protected] Website by Leonardomartin.com Menu