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MEET THE BOARD
Who We Are
Trina Griffin
Founder & CEO
Trina Griffin Owner and Executive Director of Rising-Reels. Trina is a graduate from Shoreline Community College. Owner of Trina Studios Production. She created the company to offer underserved BIPOC children the opportunity to learn the art of filmmaking. She has been working in the film community since 1998. Read More
John Lamar
Chairman
John Lamar, Chairman of Rising-Reels. John is a Director, Director of Development, Filmmaker, Line Producer, Producer, Production Coordinator and Production Manager.
John hails from the Pacific Northwest, Seattle to be exact. He is an independent Producer, with a resume geared towards very small projects. READ MORE
JUDY ABOLAFYA
Secretary
For me Rising Reels is of course a comprehensive study of the film industry presented in a hands on format geared towards equipping young people in the Seattle area. To me though, Rising Reels is about people. To parse it down even more, it’s about Trina. This lady is all heart, but she’s made of fire and steel and things greater than I, no doubt! She has a passion for kids and their future that can not and will not be deterred, and that passion is infectious. It lights up her face and the room when she talks to people and they can’t help but be encouraged by her vision. This is how she connects community, and this is how she and Rising Reels is going to change lives.
Abie Ekenezar
Vice-President
Abie Ekenezar is the Vice-President of Rising-Reels. She is an actress, singer, screen writer and producer living in Seattle, WA with an extensive background resume and has been in the entertainment industry professionally with IMDB credits for five years. Abie came on board with the agency Big Fish Northwest to work with the next generation of professional TV and Film professionals on Strowlers, a fantasy film project that was released by Zombie Orpheus Entertainment in 2018. READ MORE
Jennifer Rios
Treasure
Jennifer Rios the Treasure of Rising-Reels. Jennifer is a mother of four children who inspire her in her work every day! Working with BIPOC children has always been her passion and serving children of the greater Seattle area has been her goal for the past 15 years! She graduated from Green River College with an AA-DTA transfer degree where she was accepted at Seattle Pacific University. READ MORE