Lee Morin is an entertainment attorney licensed in Georgia. Her law firm, MORIN Entertainment Law, represents primarily independent film, music, and game development clients, but also consults with theatrical stage productions, freelance artists, and writers. Lee is also an Adjunct Professor of Law for Georgia State University College of Law, where she helped develop and instructs its first executive education workshop aimed at non-lawyers in the arts, sports, and entertainment industries. She is a member of the Entertainment & Sports and Intellectual Property Law sections of the Georgia Bar and several arts & entertainment trade associations. Lee is the presiding Chair of Programs for Women in Film & Television Atlanta and advocates for music creators’ rights for The Recording Academy®.
Carolyn Sloss is a vice president at Allied Global Marketing. Carolyn joined Allied, an entertainment, culture & lifestyle agency, in 2001. Her responsibilities include account management and strategic planning for the Atlanta office, the agency’s largest field team. She also plays a key role in the company’s overall growth with new business development. Prior to launching Allied’s first office in the South, Carolyn was the vice president of Fahlgren Advertising where she led publicity and promotions for the entertainment division. Previously, she worked at Planet Hollywood as the PR manager where she notably planned all efforts for the restaurant chain during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. She earned a degree in journalism from Auburn University. Carolyn volunteers with the Atlanta Film Festival and is an alumnus of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta’s Camp CEO. A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Carolyn currently resides in Buckhead.
Tay Smith is a budding young industry talent on the rise! Only 31 years old, he is one of the founding members of BYSB Talent Agency, teamed with business partner Christopher Young and two additional partners, talent agent Angela Brown who cements their foundation in her Los Angeles headquarters, and Buchanan, the other ‘B’ in BYSB acting as a silent partner. Based in Atlanta, the number two market for film production, he and his team commandeer the southeast region of the US as a force to be reckoned with. They are steadily rocking and rolling with new talent acquisitions and television and film bookings for their clients. Bringing his big talent agency experience to their new boutique firm, the BYBS’ current roster includes some of the hottest cutting-edge entertainers in the business. Spanning actors to producers, directors and social media stars, the BYSB roster includes notables such at veteran actor T.C. Carson (“Last Call”); Reginae Carter (BET’s “Secrets of the Salon”), daughter of Lil’ Wayne and Toya Wright; David Busby (BET’s “The Bobby Brown Story”); child actors, Trayce Malachi (Fox’s “STAR”) and twins Talia Symone and Tari Ayana (Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow”). Shows booked include “Atlanta,” “Black Lightening,” “Ozark” and “Home.” Tay got his start early on when he started and headed his own music production company, Yungsta Entertainment based in North Carolina. As a young teen he ran a staff of producers, artists and writers. Quickly gaining traction with lead recording artist T-LyriQ, Tay’s Yungsta Entertainment became the talk of the city, positioning him as the “P-Diddy” of his town. Upon taking a trip to uncover the booming music scene of Atlanta, Tay kept hearing about Christopher Young and his legend. Making it his goal to meet Chris, he finally tracked him down and established a mentor/business advisor relationship. The business arrangement proved fruitful and lead to deeper inroads in the music world. The two young men are fondly referenced as Smith & Young throughout the southeast and considered two of the hottest Black talent agents on the southern scene!
When Christopher Young and Tay Smith first left their perspective careers and ventured into the agent arena back in 2015, they smartly positioned themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Working diligently for five years under the banner of the J Pervis Talent Agency, they were unceremoniously asked to leave. However, their trials and tribulations have paid off dearly. They have since joined forces and launched BYSB Talent Agency with two additional partners, talent agent Angela Brown who cements their foundation in her Los Angeles headquarters, and Buchanan, the other 'B' in BYSB acting as a silent partner. Now celebrating their first year in business, the new team is even better suited to changing the game. The two young men, fondly known as Smith & Young, are based in Atlanta, the number two market for film production, and commandeer the southeast region of the US as a force to be reckoned with. The talented duo is steadily rocking and rolling with new talent acquisitions and television and film bookings for their clients. Bringing their big talent agency experience to their new boutique firm, BYBS' current roster includes some of the hottest cutting-edge entertainers in the business. Spanning actors to producers, directors and social media stars, the BYSB roster includes notables such at veteran actor T.C. Carson ("Last Call"); daughter of Lil' Wayne and Toya Wright, Reginae Carter (BET's "Secrets of the Salon"); David Busby (BET's "The Bobby Brown Story"); child actors, Trayce Malachi (Fox's "STAR") and twins Talia Symone and Tari Ayana (Fox's "Sleepy Hollow"). Shows booked include "Atlanta," "Black Lightening," "Ozark" and "Home." A Trenton, NJ native, Christopher is an industry veteran with two decades under his belt. He is credited with discovering and developing Grammy Award winning artist, Johnta' Austin as well as mega producer Garrett Hamler, better known as Sean Garrett. Johnta' Austin has written songs for Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige and Aaliyah, while Garrett is famed for producing more than fifteen number one singles in the first seven years of his start at producing music. Christopher has served as general manager for NBA star Tyrone Hill's All Net Records and was product manager and A&R executive at Pastor Creflo and Taffi Dollar's Arrow Records. Christopher held his own as the head of his Tricycle Records label and his management firm, Triple Threat Management.
Chaka Zulu is Co-CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace Records and Ebony Son Entertainment Inc., both based in Atlanta, Georgia. Chaka has been making his mark in the music and entertainment business for over twenty years. He began his music career while attending college as an intern for various record labels and as an on-air personality for WRFG, a community based radio station in Atlanta, Georgia. He later became the Music Director and an on-air personality for Atlanta’s Hot 97.5(now 107.9) radio station. Chaka has also been an integral piece in bringing artists and influential people to South Africa and has worked with several South African music groups. Some of his other professional accomplishments are: Radio Promotions for Sony Music/Columbia Records, Radio Promotions for Universal Music Group/Island Def Jam Music, Ludacris Foundation Board Member, keynote speaker at the National Fatherhood Conference in 2004, and music video director. Chaka is a mentor to many and gives back to his community through volunteering and grassroots outreach. He is also a founder of the lifestyle brand, Culture Republic, which was founded alongside other proven entertainment executives Jason Geter and Bernard Parks, Jr. These three gentlemen have successfully launched and navigated the brands of international superstars such as T.I., Ludacris, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, Iggy Azalea, Outkast, Cee-Lo Green, 8 Ball & MJG, B.O.B., Dj Drama, and Big K.R.I.T. From marketing music, films, apparel and spirits to the millennial generation, Culture Republic assists in identifying and cultivating the most authentic brand partnerships.
Gil Robertson (moderator) is an African-American journalist and author. He is also president of the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA). Gil grew up in California and earned a B.A. degree in Political Science from California State University, Los Angeles. He is known for his contributions to numerous publications that include: the Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Black Enterprise and Essence Magazine among others. He is also founder and editor of the Robertson Treatment Syndicated Column (RTSC), one of America's most widely read urban lifestyle columns targeting the African American demo. As an author, Gil has contributed to the anthology Souls of My Brother and is a frequent contributor to the African American Almanac. His first book, Writing as a Tool of Empowerment, was published in 2003. On December 1, 2006, Agate Publishing released Not in my Family: AIDS in the African American Community, a collection of essays about the AIDS epidemic edited by Gil. He also edited the anthology Family Affair: What it Means to be African American Today. Gil is a member of the National Press Club and resides in Los Angeles and Atlanta.