MEET THE CO-FOUNDERS
GIL L. ROBERTSON IV
Gil L. Robertson IV is co-founder and President of the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), the premier body of Black film critics in the world and produces the annual AAFCA Awards, an important event on the Hollywood Awards Calendar. He is a veteran journalist and best selling author who has edited/written 3 successful anthologies, Where Did Our Love Go: Love and Relationships in the African American Community (2013), Family Affair: What it Means to be African American Today (2008), selected as “Pick of the Week” by Publisher’s Weekly and the classic Not in My Family: AIDS in the African American Community (2006), the later two nominated for NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Nonfiction. Robertson is also the author of Writing as a Tool of Empowerment, a resource book for aspiring journalists, and a regular contributor to The African American Almanac (Gale Press). Robertson’s first Children’s book, Great African American Political Leaders (Just Us Books) will be released in 2016.
During his 20 + years in entertainment journalism, Robertson authored over 50 national magazine covers and his byline has appeared regularly for a list of publications that includes, the LA Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Billboard, Fortune, Essence and Ebony magazines. He is the founder and editor of the nationally syndicated Arts & Lifestyle column, the Robertson Treatment. Now in its 19th year, the column boasts a national readership in excess of 2 million. Robertson is a regular on the TV talk show circuit where he shares his expertise on topical issues. He is also a popular national lecturer who’s speaks on issues that impact professional growth strategies and personal development.
He earned a B.A. degree in Political Science from Cal State Los Angeles and is a professional member of the National Press Club, The National Association of Black Journalists, The National Academy of Recording Arts & Science, The National Academy of Television Arts and Science and MPAA.
For more information visit www.robertsontreatment.com
SHAWN EDWARDS
Shawn Edwards is a journalist, pop culture guru and TV and film producer. As a nationally recognized film critic for Fox 4 News in Kansas City, Missouri he has won numerous national awards including Best TV Film Critic twice by the LA Press Club's National Entertainment Journalism Awards. Edwards, the co-founder of AAFCA (African American Film Critics Association) also created I Love Black Movies the popular website, web series and movie community. He is a life-long lover of movies who began making his own films in the 7th grade. He is currently writing a book on the history of black film and the executive producer of "Movie Trip TV."