Meet the Team
Margaret Caples
Executive Director
Ms. Caples is a graduate of the first class of the Community Film Workshop of Chicago. She has an MSW from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. Margaret has over 30 years of experience developing media education programs and working with teens and teachers. Locally, she served as a partner on numerous groups, such as the Englewood Cultural Planning Council and the boards of CAN TV and Kartemquin Films. Ms. Caples is co-founder of “Diverse Voices In Docs” and developed the “Digital Storytelling Institute” at the Logan Media Center.
Derek Grace
Lead Instructor
Derek Grace has produced promotional videos for not-for-profits over the past 30 years. He has empowered countless adults and students through video technology training. He produced, "ON THE FRONTLINE: Taking Back Our Streets,” a harrowing, but profoundly hopeful investigation of gun violence and its aftermath. His Diverse Voices project, “College Week,” is being viewed on "America ReFramed" on the World Channel. He teaches production and sound to CFWC teens in the summer as part of the Allstate Youth Filmmakers Program, which is part of the Black Harvest Film Festival at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Keisha Chavers
PR Manager/ Instructor
Keisha Chavers is an award-winning media professional, a community advocate and lover of all things positive.
In 2011, Chavers worked as an associate producer on the documentary, COLORBLIND: Rethinking Race, a collaborative effort with Middle Passage Productions, WYCC Chicago (PBS affiliate) and the Kellogg Foundation. In 2013, she received an Emmy for her contribution as an associate producer. Additionally, she was honored as one the Chicago Defender newspaper’s, 50 Women of ExceIlence for 2010 and has participated on media panels for the Publicity Club of Chicago and the Community Media Workshop.
David Weathersby
Instructor
David Weathersby is an independent filmmaker, who creates community-based documentaries for educational and cultural institutions. Weathersby produced, shot and edited both of these award-winning documentaries: "Got the Love," which examines the work of independent soul musicians in Chicago as they face a changing commercial and cultural world and “Color of Art,” which details the history and current state of the Black art community in Chicago. “The Debauchery Ball“ was screened at CFWC, Black Harvest Film Festival and numerous festivals around the country.
Pemon Rami
Instructor
Pemon Rami is an award-winning international film producer, theatre director, arts administrator, historian, lecturer, consultant, and author with more than 40 years of experience in the creation of television, film, theater, radio, and multimedia productions. Rami produced the feature films, “Of Boys and Men" released by Warner Brothers, starring Angela Bassett and Robert Townsend and “93 Days” shot in Nigeria, starring Danny Glover and Bimbo Akintola. He received an African Academy Award nomination and an African People’s Choice Award nomination for producing “93 Days.” Rami is a member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Arts Council. And a member of the Luminary Board of the Illinois Film Alliance." Mr. Rami’s memoir titled “When Blackness was Golden” – Observations from the front line is available through most online book outlets.
Peter Kuttner
Instructor
"Peter Kuttner has worked for over 50 years in commercial and alternative media. He has served on the boards of CFWC, Chicago Filmmakers and South Side Projections. Long associated with Kartemquin Films, his work as a camera technician on theatrical, TV and streamed productions led to and involvement in the trade union movement. A 47-year member of IATSE Local 600 representing 9,000 workers nationally, he served for many years as an elected representative to its governing board. His is now a member of the Workers Rights Board of Jobs with Justice Chicago. Currently, he works at CTVN The Community Television Network as Director of Special Projects and Archivist."
