About Founder

For the past 22 years, Founder and President of African American Women In Cinema Organization, Inc. (AAWIC), Terra Renee has utilized her strong background in filmmaking to serve as a continuous support for the vibrant work of women.

Before she founded AAWIC, Terra studied filmmaking and film directing at the School of Visual Arts. Upon completion of her studies, Ms. Renee associate produced several independent films including, Island Alicia, a feature which was the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival UN Certain Regard category.

Besides Terra’s film production success, she interned at Universal Pictures and served as a judge for some of Hollywood’s most prestigious awards such as the Emmy Awards, Student Academy Awards Oscars, New York Film Festival and NATPE. In addition, she has successfully Produce the Women of Excellence Salute Awards Hosted by Morgan Stanley and have created a platform for women of color filmmakers during the Sundance Film Festival with a partnership with the Utah Film Studios. 

Ms. Renee was featured in Essence Magazine representing the Wal-Mart Voices of Color Film Series. In addition, she was the recipient of 2011 NAACP Woman of the Year Award, as well as the 2012 Bill McCreary Living Legend Award, the 2013 Keeping the Dream Award presented by the prestigious youth organization, Jump Start, the 2014 Bridge Builder Award from the United African Coalition, 2017 “Woman on a Mission” Award, The Total Faith Network 2017 Dorothy Dandridge Image Award and the 2017 Promo Consulting Group in Partnership with the Nelson Mandela Award in Paris. 

Ms. Renee was a Fellow recipient of the United Way and Baruch College Leadership of the Non-profit Sector program. She studied Contract Law through Harvard University Certificate program. Ms. Renee sits on the Executive Board of UNESCO NYS and the African Women for Good Governance as well as the American Diabetes Association Committee. In addition, she has several media projects in the works that include a documentary on the world renown Gospel Singer, Marion Williams (The Kennedy Honors and Mac Arthur Foundation Award recipient) and Television show amongst other films.