Recovery Media
Recovery Media, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides trauma survivors safe spaces to foster creative self-expression by learning the art of filmmaking.
Who We Are
Recovery Media is a robust team of professional film, media, and content creators who are passionate about creating tables and bridging the gap between those who may not have access to careers in the entertainment industry and the people who can help them succeed.
By doing this, we aim to increase diversity and representation within the industry, while helping communities heal from trauma.
Where We Are
Currently educating more than 25 students in more than 10 U.S. cities. Always open to expansion.
Chicago, IL
Los Angeles, CA
Oakland, CA
Washington, D.C.
Baltimore/Annapolis, MD
New York City, NY
Newark, NJ
Atlanta, GA
Dallas, TX
Austin, TX
Houston, TX
Portland, OR
Dayton, OH
Minneapolis, MN
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, South Florida
San Francisco, CA
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MISSION STATEMENT
Empower trauma survivors by providing them with the tools, guidance, and support needed to transform their experiences into art through developing storytelling and filmmaking skills.
We believe that the act of artistic expression can serve as a powerful catalyst for healing, personal growth, and positive social change.
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CORE VALUES
By harnessing the transformative power of storytelling and filmmaking, we aim to promote healing, resilience, and empowerment among trauma survivors. Through their creative endeavors, survivors can explore their emotions, find catharsis, and develop a deeper understanding of their journeys. Additionally, we seek to raise awareness and foster empathy within society, challenging stigmas surrounding trauma and encouraging a more compassionate and supportive community.
We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the industry. We actively strive to create opportunities for individuals from marginalized communities to access our programs, ensuring that their voices are heard and their stories are given the platform that they deserve.
Who Do We Serve?
Domestic Violence Survivors
Sexual Assault Survivors
Addiction Survivors
The Incarcerated
The Formerly Incarcerated
Survivors of Suicidal Thoughts, Attempts or Depression
What Do We Provide?
Community and Connection
Pursuing a career in entertainment can enable participants to connect with others who have similar experiences and give them a platform to advocate for survivors’ rights and access.
Career Opportunities
Training in writing and entertainment can provide valuable knowledge of script structure, producing, directing, acting, camera operation, lighting, grip, set design and other skills.
Empowerment
Writing and Storytelling can be a powerful tool for survivors to reclaim their voices. It can help them process their emotions and provide a sense of control over their narratives while producing, directing, acting, and operating camera and lighting equipment.
Healing and Self-Expression
Writing and Storytelling can provide survivors with the tools they need to rebuild their lives, express themselves creatively, and pursue fulfilling careers in entertainment.
Your help can help us make a difference.
Empowering minds through the lens of healing: Join us on a journey of resilience and creativity in overcoming trauma through the power of filmmaking.
Meet the Team
Board of Advisors
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GEORGE JONES
Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
I am from Pittsburgh, PA.
I am 62 years old, and I am a person who has long term recovery.
I currently work at Renewal Inc. as a clinical supervisor. I have 20 years of managerial experience in the field of addictions and criminal justice. I am the co-owner of G&S Jones Counseling Services, where I provide counseling services on various issues for men, women and children.
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AISHA FORD
Aisha Ford is an award-winning filmmaker who strives to make films in hope of inspiring others like her to speak their truth. The art that she works on every day is her activism. It’s a space where she can dive into her own consciousness, and share her inner emotions and world perspective.
Over the past few years, she has written and directed short films that have broadcast on platforms such as the American Black Film Festival Independent TV series and screened at multiple film festivals across the country.
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SEAN BREED
TELEVISION
Flatbush Misdemeanors
Therapy Group w/ Amy Seda
MUSIC VIDEO
Fabolous: “Breathe”
The Roots: “Don’t Feel Right”
Lyfe Jennings: “Must Be Nice”
TRAINING
Scene Study
Acting on Camera
Improvisation
Character Development
Monologue Study
SPECIAL SKILLS
Professional Rap Artist, Jogging, Basketball, Football, Weightlifting
Work Local: NYC, CA, GA
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REGINALD BRODDIE
Reggie L. Broddie, Co-Founder & President
Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Scholarship Trust
Carole Copeland
Founder, Recovery Media
Carole Copeland lives by the motto, “If you have a dream inside, God placed it there. So, walk in faith and He will open doors!” The retired educator from Washington, DC is grateful to be fulfilling her lifelong dream of working in the entertainment industry.
The two-time HBCU-educated actress, director, producer and location manager, who received her start in Hollywood as second assistant director on the 2015 web series, Mind of a Single Male, is credited in more than 50 award-winning film and television projects, including:
· Actress in Netflix’s Spike Lee-helmed film, Chi-Raq;
· Line Producer of the web series, Black Famous;
· Segment Producer of the Sen. Diane E. Watson, (Ret., D-CA) documentary, Golden Hearted;
· Producer and voiceover talent for Brownies, which was accepted into Diversity in Cannes, winning Best Student Film and Best Cast.
The SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters 399 and Location Managers Guild International member, who is PGA eligible, became an executive director in 2023 when she founded Recovery Media. The 501(c)(3) organization, designed to allow trauma, domestic violence and addiction survivors around the country to learn filmmaking in less than 6 months, has won several awards since its inception.
Something About Tomorrow, Recovery Media’s first film, which also marked Carole’s directorial debut, was screened at Cannes in 2025. The 27-minute film, co-written with and dedicated to the memory of Carole’s late husband, Jabril Ty Murphy, was an official selection at film festivals around the country, including:
· Silicon Valley African Film Festival;
· Pan African Film Festival;
· Delta International Film Festival;
· American Black Film Festival;
· Africa USA International Film Festival;
· Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival;
· Las Vegas Premiere Film Festival;
· Peachtree Village Film Festival;
· Urban Film Festival.
Filmed in Los Angeles, Something About Tomorrow co-stars Daytime Emmy Award-nominated actress Trisha Mann-Grant (CBS’ Beyond the Gates) and NAACP Image Award-nominated actor Lamman Rucker (Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? franchise). Exploring a prominent attorney’s life after her child’s drug overdose, the project was named Best Short Film at the Peachtree Village Film Festival and received the Audience Choice Award at the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival.
While such accolades would prompt many to rest on their laurels, Carole Copeland and Recovery Media have undertaken several projects. In the midst of Carole co-producing a feature film, her Recovery Media students will shoot their second project this year.
Why Should You Donate?
Our program is designed to provide entry-level job training in the film industry, which makes this initiative a powerful catalyst for long-term personal and vocational growth.
As a new nonprofit, we wholeheartedly rely on the generosity of our community — people like you, who understand and value the importance of second chances and new beginnings. Your support is not merely a donation; it is an investment in human potential and a commitment to fostering a more compassionate society.
Each gesture of support has the power to dramatically alter the course of our participants' lives, weaving hope into their stories and equipping them with the skills to thrive in new career paths. Together, we can turn their surmounted challenges into wellsprings of creativity and inspiration for others.
Ways to Support
Recovery Media
Donations – Your tax-deductible financial contributions will directly fund our filmmaking workshops, provide equipment for our participants, and help us create a nurturing environment for learning and healing.
Sponsorships – By sponsoring our programs, you or your organization become an integral part of our participants' success stories, helping us to cover the costs of instructors, professional mentors, and public screenings.
Mentorship – We also invite film professionals to volunteer their time to mentor our participants, offering them invaluable insights into the industry and guidance in developing their unique voices.
In-Kind Donations — Camera, Lighting and film equipment, computers, software, Studio space, Food, Wardrobe, Vans, Production Trucks, Trailers, and other services to assist in film production.
Contact Us
Carole Copeland, Recovery Media
213-278-6232
Our ultimate goal is to inspire hope, promote healing, and foster personal growth through the transformative power of art. By providing trauma survivors with the necessary skills and resources, we believe they can overcome adversity, rebuild their lives and contribute to a more empathetic and understanding world. Together, we can turn trauma into art, empowering survivors to rewrite their narratives and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.