Michael Donte, is an acclaimed filmmaker who has earned awards like the Newfest Black Emerging LGBTQ+ Filmmakers and the Urbanworld Film Festival’s Best Young Creator. His standout short film, “The Spirit God Gave Us,” featuring Nic Ashe (known for “Queen Sugar” and “Choir Boy”), has been showcased at festivals including Outfest, NewFest, Blackstar, and Bronzelens Film Festival. The support of GLAAD, BEAM, and The Film Collaborative has backed Michael’s work. In addition to his acclaimed independent projects, Michael has also made significant contributions to the commercial landscape, collaborating with industry giants such as Google and Lenovo and agencies like Portal A. In his role as a Creative Executive collaborating with YouTube Originals, he contributed to the development of a show titled “Recipe for Change” with LeBron James’ SpringHill production company. His work culminated in the creation of a captivating 3-part series named “Spectrum,” which sheds light on Black lives across Asia, spanning Japan, India, and Korea.