ABOUT US

Dante James is President and Owner of DMD Films, LLC. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan independent filmmaker Dante James has produced and directed numerous award-winning films. In  2009 he completed Harlem in Montmartre, A Paris Jazz Story for PBS's Great Performances.  He is currently developing an independent feature film that will be shot in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan.  In July of 2010 he will be a guest lecturer at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

In June 2006 James, began an appointment as an Artist-in-Residence instructor/filmmaker at Duke University.  In 2007 he produced and directed the critically acclaimed dramatic short film The Doll.  Based on a story by Charles W. Chesnutt, The Doll has received numerous awards and screened at film festivals nation wide and at the Pan African International Film Festival in Cannes, France.

In 2006 James was awarded a National Emmy for his work on the PBS series Slavery and The Making of America, he received a total of three nominations.  From 2001 to 2003 for Blackside Films, James executive produced This Far by Faith: African-American Spiritual Journeys, a six-part PBS series.  Earlier in his career, James made several films for his friend and mentor, the late Henry Hampton (1940-1998).  Hampton was founder and executive producer of Blackside Films, which is best known for the PBS series Eyes on The Prize.
 
James’ Blackside films include, Given a Chance, the second hour of the PBS series, America's War on Poverty.  The series received a 1995 Silver Baton, Alfred I. duPont Columbia Award, and the 1995 Erik Barnouw Award.  James also produced and directed New Deal/New York and Mean Things Happening.  Both films were part of the PBS series, The Great Depression, which also won the 1994 Silver Baton, Alfred I. duPont Columbia Award.  James is also the recipient of two Washington DC region Emmy awards.

James was recognized as distinguished alumnus by Grand Valley State University. In December 2007 the university awarded him a Doctorate of Humane Letters.  He also has a Masters Degree from Duke University.  His masters program included studying creative writing at Oxford University in England.

James has served as a funding review panelist for the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Black Programming Consortium, and the National Endowment for the Arts. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America.

Leroy Jenkins is the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel for DMD Films, LLC.  In that capacity, he administers all legal aspects of the company and oversees employment and labor matters.  He is also the Deputy General Counsel for Employment and Labor Relations at Howard University in Washington, D.C.  He joined Howard University in 1996.  Prior to his tenure with Howard University, he was the Assistant General Counsel with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, D.C.  Subsequent to that position, he was a general practitioner and the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Robin Services, Inc., a Washington, D.C. based Pest Control Company.  Mr. Jenkins has represented Mr. James on numerous professional contracts throughout Mr. James’ career.