FOUNDER | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | DIRECTOR

Rolake Bamgbose is a two-time Emmy-nominated director, executive producer, and creative leader known for earning trust and bringing ambitious stories to life. Across premium documentaries, documentary series, and original content, she has led projects from early development through production, post, and premiere—building creative teams, shaping story, and collaborating with filmmakers, studios, networks, and talent to create work that connects deeply with audiences.

Her work spans culture, sports, identity, social justice, and the people, ideas, and movements shaping our world. Most recently, Rolake co-directed and produced Full Circle: The First All Black Everest Ascent, which premiered in the Spotlight section of the 2026 Tribeca Festival and will next screen at the 2026 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. She previously directed and executive produced the six-part documentary series Supreme Models, now streaming on Netflix, and was a founding producer of HBO's Emmy-winning VICE News Tonight, earning a News & Documentary Emmy nomination for her work. Her credits also include The Weekly (FX/The New York Times/Hulu), HBO's The Day Sports Stood Still, ESPN's D. Wade: Life Unexpected, and the PBS documentary Rikers.

Rolake's storytelling is rooted in curiosity, empathy, and a belief that the strongest stories begin with trust. Whether leading multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with world-class talent, or sitting across from someone sharing their story for the first time, she creates the conditions for honest conversations that reveal something lasting and deeply human.

As the founder of Shango Light Films, Rolake develops premium documentary and narrative projects in creative partnership with filmmaker Justice A. Whitaker. While each brings a distinct creative perspective, their work is united by a shared commitment to emotionally rich, character-driven storytelling with global resonance. A first-generation Nigerian American raised in Los Angeles and shaped by nearly two decades in New York, she brings a culturally expansive perspective to every project and is drawn to stories that explore identity, resilience, and our shared humanity.

WRITER | DIRECTOR | PRODUCER

Justice A. Whitaker is an award-winning writer, director, and producer focused on illuminating stories from around the globe and committed to telling stories that represent the global African diaspora.

Most recently, Justice produced the scripted short film Food for the Soul, which premiered at BlackStar Film Festival in 2025, where it won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Short, and was subsequently nominated for an NAACP Image Award. In partnership with the National Urban League, he directed the second season of the Justice Now YouTube series, focusing on social justice, equity, and civil rights. His other directing projects include the hour-long documentary Milestone Generations (Max), created in partnership with Ally and DC, which examines the 30-year history of Milestone Comics. He has also produced for VICE News and The Wall Street Journal.

Justice is a member of the Writers Guild of America and has written for Sesame Street and Moonbug Entertainment. He has lived and worked in South Africa and Ghana, and his work is rooted in the breadth and diversity of his global storytelling experience.

Most recently, Justice co-directed and produced the feature documentary Full Circle: The First All Black Everest Ascent, which follows the first all-Black expedition to summit Mount Everest. The film celebrated its sold-out world premiere in the Spotlight section of the 2026 Tribeca Festival and will next screen at the 2026 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival.

Justice is a professor of Nonfiction Storytelling, Narrative Screenwriting, and Professional Practices at Pratt Institute's School of Art, where he received the Distinguished Professor Award in 2024. He is also the founder of the AI in Filmmaking Research Accelerator at the university.

Justice and his wife, director and producer Rolake Bamgbose, own and lead Shango Light Films, where they develop and produce documentary and narrative projects with a global perspective. He holds a B.F.A. in Television & Film Production from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.