Mosaic Film Experience Appoints Actor Aldis Hodge, Valarie Clark to Advisory Board

From left to right: Aldis Hodge, Valarie Clark

Grand Rapids-based nonprofit Mosaic Film Experience has appointed actor, producer and entrepreneur Aldis Hodge and Washington, D.C.-based consultant Valarie Clark, MPA, to its advisory board, strengthening the organization’s national leadership and expanding its reach in youth storytelling and creative career development.

Clark and Hodge will provide guidance as Mosaic Film Experience continues to grow its programs that equip youth with the tools, connections and opportunities to explore storytelling as a pathway to personal growth and career development in film, digital media and beyond.

“Storytelling has the power to build confidence, strengthen relationships and open doors to new opportunities in any industry,” said Skot Welch, founder and president of Mosaic Film Experience. “Aldis and Valarie bring unique perspectives and leadership that will help us expand our impact and continue creating meaningful experiences for young people.”

Hodge is an award-winning actor, producer and entrepreneur who is currently starring as the titular character Alex Cross in Prime Video’s Cross. His work spans major film and television projects, including One Night in Miami…, Black Adam and Straight Outta Compton. Along with Phillip Boutté Jr. and Mike Uwandi, Hodge is also the co-founder of Los Angeles-based 9B Collective, the first Black-owned concept art studio composed primarily of BIPOC artists. 

“Storytelling starts with being able to take what’s in your imagination and bring it to life,” Hodge said. “Organizations like Mosaic Film Experience are important because they give young creatives the tools, support and platform to develop their voice and begin turning their ideas into something real. That kind of access can open doors and shape what’s possible for the next generation.”

As the founder and principal of Clark Strategies, Clark is a D.C.-based consultant with more than 20 years of experience in strategy, stakeholder engagement and program development. Her work focuses on connecting people, ideas and resources to drive meaningful outcomes, with an emphasis on expanding opportunity and access.

“Mosaic Film Experience is creating meaningful pathways for youth by connecting creativity, opportunity and real-world experience,” Clark said. “I’m excited to support an organization that brings together people, ideas and resources to expand access and help students build skills that will serve them well into the future.”

Since its founding, Mosaic Film Experience has served more than 50,000 students through programs that use digital storytelling to develop creativity, collaboration and critical thinking skills while connecting students to real-world career pathways.

About Mosaic Film Experience
Founded in 2012 by Skot Welch, The Mosaic Film Experience (MFE) is a 501(c)(3) organization that uses the platform of digital media to provide students with an opportunity to tell their unique stories and equip them with the critical thinking, collaborative and creative skills necessary for career- preparedness. There are three aspects to The Mosaic Film Experience: The Mosaic Event: An annual interactive experience that provides students access to industry professionals through creative, career-inspiring workshops.  Mosaic Mobile: An annual mobile film competition where films are shot, edited, and entered on mobile devices.  Mosaic Community: Events ranging from afterschool curriculum to industry guest speakers and film screenings. For more information about MFE, visit http://mosaicfilmexperience.com/.  

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