Courtney Baker-Oliver is a filmmaker, producer, director, writer and composer. He’s been shaping talent and watering the artistic landscape for years.

From his faculty role at Duke Ellington School of the Arts (where he taught notable pupils including Corey Hawkins, Samira Wiley, and Blacktivity’s own Devin White) to his work at Restoration Stage, the Washington, DC-based theatre company he co-founded in 2005, he's developed an impressive skill set. Shifting his focus to film, his first feature, “Veils—Requiem for Trayvon” will make its’ debut later this year.

Always pushing for positive images of Blacks in the arts, Courtney produced tributes presented personally to Maya Angelou, Cicely Tyson and Dr. Dorothy Height. He staged the debut tributes for the U.S. Postal Service stamps honoring Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson and has worked with Diana Ross and Travina Springer among others. In 2013, he directed Martin Luther King III's celebration of his father's legacy for the 50th Anniversary commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington.

A proud graduate of Howard University’s Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts where he earned a B.F.A. in Theater Education, Courtney also attended La Sorbonne in Paris, France. He’s been honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Howard University Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and the Alan Sharpe Cultural Award from the Center for Black Equity. “Veils—Requiem for Trayvon” recently received the Best Narrative Feature Award at the Prince George’s Film Festival.

A native of Hobe Sound, FL, Courtney resides in Maryland with his family. His work has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, Greensboro, NC, Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC.

 By championing Blacktivity’s mission to dismantle traditional gatekeeping systems, she ensures that Black creators have access to the tools, mentorship and opportunities needed to thrive.