Meet the Team
Margaret Caples
Executive Director
Ms. Caples is a graduate of the first class of the Community Film Workshop of Chicago. She has an MSW from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. Margaret has over 30 years of experience developing media education programs and working with teens and teachers. Locally, she served as a partner on numerous groups, such as the Englewood Cultural Planning Council and the boards of CAN TV and Kartemquin Films. Ms. Caples is co-founder of “Diverse Voices In Docs” and developed the “Digital Storytelling Institute” at the Logan Media Center.
Amandilo M Cuzan
Instructor
Amandilo M. Cuzan has worked in community media for the past 40 years, producing dozens of videos that capture the energy and dedication of organizers throughout the Chicago area. He is primarily concerned with environmental justice issues and loves teaching people of all ages about the media and how to consume and use it with wisdom. He is president of OM Productions International and leads the communication efforts of the Bronzeville Alliance, a group of community activists based in the historic “black belt” of Chicago on the near Southside. Significant clients include Blacks in Green, Ma’at, The Bronzeville Abundance Campaign, The Soulful Chicago Book Fair, Preacherhead Ministries, the Chicago Area Project, and the Field Museum of Natural History. He teaches production, sound, and lighting to youth and adults in CFWC programs.
Keisha Chavers
PR Manager/ Instructor
Keisha Chavers is an award-winning media professional, a community advocate and lover of all things positive.
In 2011, Chavers worked as an associate producer on the documentary, COLORBLIND: Rethinking Race, a collaborative effort with Middle Passage Productions, WYCC Chicago (PBS affiliate) and the Kellogg Foundation. In 2013, she received an Emmy for her contribution as an associate producer. Additionally, she was honored as one the Chicago Defender newspaper’s, 50 Women of ExceIlence for 2010 and has participated on media panels for the Publicity Club of Chicago and the Community Media Workshop.
David Weathersby
Instructor
David Weathersby is an independent filmmaker, who creates community-based documentaries for educational and cultural institutions. Weathersby produced, shot and edited both of these award-winning documentaries: "Got the Love," which examines the work of independent soul musicians in Chicago as they face a changing commercial and cultural world and “Color of Art,” which details the history and current state of the Black art community in Chicago. “The Debauchery Ball“ was screened at CFWC, Black Harvest Film Festival and numerous festivals around the country.
Pemon Rami
Instructor
Pemon Rami is an award-winning international film producer, theatre director, arts administrator, historian, lecturer, consultant, and author with more than 40 years of experience in the creation of television, film, theater, radio, and multimedia productions. Rami produced the feature films, “Of Boys and Men" released by Warner Brothers, starring Angela Bassett and Robert Townsend and “93 Days” shot in Nigeria, starring Danny Glover and Bimbo Akintola. He received an African Academy Award nomination and an African People’s Choice Award nomination for producing “93 Days.” Rami is a member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Arts Council. And a member of the Luminary Board of the Illinois Film Alliance." Mr. Rami’s memoir titled “When Blackness was Golden” – Observations from the front line is available through most online book outlets.
Natalie Battles
Instructor
Natalie Battles is the founder of Melanated in America production and events company where the mission is to highlight promote and showcase everything melanated in America. She uses her gifts of photography, cinematography, acting, directing, hosting, art, and event curation, to educate, amplify, and inspire. Natalie has been instructing youth and adults for over ten years. Natalie received her film education from the Community Film Workshop of Chicago and The Logan Center's Digital Storytellers Intensive. Natalie was recognized as a Chicago Woman in Film by the Community Film Workshop of Chicago and the University of Chicago in 2022 for her documentary Film "At Their Feet". Here Films have been shown in the Silverroom Block Party Film Fest, with CFWC at The Black Harvest Film Festival and other screenings around Chicago.
