Ateya Ball-Lacy – Creator & Executive Producer
Ateya Ball-Lacy is a master educator turned producer who blends creativity and innovation to inspire students to tap into their innate brilliance and develop a passion for learning, leadership, and service. A proud Washington, D.C. native, Ateya has devoted over 20 years to educating and uplifting youth, adult learners, and fellow educators. She is a passionate advocate for the arts and education—and a dynamic force in both worlds.
Ateya is the CEO of Ateya Productions, LLC, an edutainment consulting firm, and HoodSmart, a program focused on advancing talented African-American students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). She currently serves as an Assistant Principal in an urban school district, where her leadership continues to impact and inspire.
Ateya is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where she studied dance, and Howard University, where she earned a B.A. in English with a minor in Secondary Education. She went on to earn a Master of Education degree from St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis and completed post-master’s work in Educational Leadership at The George Washington University, where she earned her principal licensure. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in education.
Her commitment to excellence has earned her several honors, including the 2017 Community Service Award, 2018 Sister of Strength Award, 2019 Umoja Award, and the 2022 Marcus Garvey Outstanding Community Service Award.
Beyond the classroom, Ateya is a gifted performing artist. She is a senior dancer with the world-renowned Kankouran West African Dance Company, the oldest African dance company in the United States. She is also the Creator and Executive Producer of Hood Smart: The Urban STEMulus Project, an innovative program that highlights the brilliance of marginalized African-American youth in STEM.
Ateya’s mission is to shift the narrative surrounding African-American youth by using television and digital media to spotlight their academic and creative genius. Through her work, she is building a national platform where Black youth can be seen, celebrated, and empowered to inspire one another.
A true trailblazer in the field of education, Ateya Ball-Lacy is redefining what it means to be HoodSmart!
Terk Stevens – Executive Producer of Film & Television
Tarek “Terk” Stevens, CEO of Terk Entertainment Group, has a career spanning three decades. He co-produced BET Africa’s “Top Actor” and creates content for the African American and trans-Atlantic African Diaspora. Notable films are “Angrily Ever After”, “Big Fifty” and “The Christmas Lottery” on BET+. Terk also hosts the Influencers Brunch, uniting Wall Street, Capitol Hill, Silicon Valley, and Hollywood.