Lisa M. Boags - Executive Producer & Co-Writer:
A native of Los Angeles, an alumnus of Loyola Marymount University and an industry professional for over 15 years, Lisa has a diverse entertainment industry background. She has held positions in many different media arenas including film studios, network television, cable news, sporting events and as a freelance video producer.
While living in San Francisco Lisa was selected to be an Awards Juror for the San Francisco Film Festival in the documentary division.
Having currently returned to her hometown of Los Angeles, Lisa freelances as a video producer in the Southern California region. She recently participated on the Blue Ribbon Panel for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She is also preparing to begin her 5th season at The Staples Center as part of the Event Presentation crew; working professional sporting events and games for the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and Kings.
The military experiences of Lisa’s uncle, Albert Simeon (a retired United States Air Force pilot), sparked the idea for The Tuskegee Airmen documentary. He was interviewed for the documentary and his photograph is the central image used in the film’s poster.
Working on “FREEDOM FIGHTERS of TUSKEGEE” has enriched Lisa’s life. She is dedicated to making public a story of importance not only to the African American community, but to American history.
Michaela Pereira - Narrator:
Michaela Pereira co-anchors the KTLA Morning Show, Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 10:00 am.
Michaela joined KTLA in February 2004 from San Francisco’s TechTV where she anchored the technology program "Tech Live.” Prior to that, she worked as a fill-in host as well as an internet correspondent for Ebert & the Movies. She began her career at CHEK TV in Victoria, Canada.
In addition to her anchoring duties, Michaela co-hosted KTLA’s 2006 and 2007 award-winning coverage of the Rose Parade. In 2005, she co-hosted the Hollywood Christmas Lane Parade. Both parades are broadcast nationally on Tribune stations.
Michaela’s broadcasting achievements include numerous honors: a Mark Twain AP Award for Breaking News Coverage of the Mexican Consulate; a Mark Twain AP Award for Best 60 Minute Broadcast for the KTLA Morning Show; A Golden Mike Award for Best Morning News Broadcast; and an Emmy nomination for the Rose Parade Countdown show.
Michaela is active in the community. As one of five adopted girls, she is especially interested in supporting organizations and programs dedicated to children and families. She is an advisory board member of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a governing board member of LA's Best Friends, an honorary advisory board member of Optimist Youth Home, an advisory board member of Computer Access Center and a member of the board of directors for the Long Beach Boys and Girls Club. She is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and American Women in Radio and Television.
Dean D. Tapia - Director & Editor:
Born and raised in Southern California, Dean has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 17 years. He started out as a camera operator for E! Entertainment Television. Since then, Dean has worked behind the scenes in many different aspects of television and film production. Some of his credits include production work on SAW and Blade 2. Dean is currently working as a video editor for Mattel Toys and Apple. He continues to live in Southern California with his wife and four children.
Michael Sanchez - Writer:
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Michael Sanchez has been surrounded by many aspects of entertainment. An alumnus of Biola University, Michael has been an industry professional for over 12 years working in various motion picture, sports television and music productions. Currently, Michael has been editing videos for Apple and Mattel Toys, shooting camera for the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Galaxy and Chivas USA. In addition, he has been writing for and producing various pop rock acts. When approached by Lisa Boags to participate in the Freedom Flyers of Tuskegee project, Michael jumped at the opportunity. He felt that this was a great story in American history that needed to be told.
Josh Nelson, born and raised in Southern California, maintains an active and creative schedule as a jazz pianist, composer, teacher and recording artist. At 28, he has already performed with some of the most respected names in jazz, including Anthony Wilson, Bob Hurst, Ralph Moore, Albert "Tootie" Heath, and Alex Acuna, to name a few.
Josh has recorded on countless albums, films and television programs, but also makes time for his own creative projects: First Stories (1998), Emergence (2001), The Leadwell Project (2002), and Anticipation (2004). Josh recently signed with the indie jazz label Native Language Music and his new record “Let it Go” is now available.
His compositions and performances have been showcased on various prime-time and cable programs and films including “Jack and Bobby,” "The Division," “Lucky” and “First Daughter” (directed by Forest Whittaker). He has also worked with film composer Michael Kamen, and actors Eric Idle, Clint Eastwood and Jon Lovitz.
Josh has received numerous honors, scholarships, and accolades including the Louis Armstrong Award and the John Philip Sousa Award. He was also a semi-finalist in the 2006 Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition.
Recently, Josh began working with rising vocal talent Sara Gazarek, for whom he penned the title track of her debut record, “Yours,” reaching #10 on the Billboard Jazz Charts.