The Gaming Episode: Diversity in Gaming

Letta J Raised in Dallas, Texas and of Dominican decent, Grammy Nominated Letta J's presence in the music marketplace is armed with a powerful and distinctive international sound. The daughter of two pastors, singing in church congregations of thousands of people under Bishop T.D.Jakes’ leadership was no challenge for the youngest member of the Grammy Award Winning Potter’s House Choir. She began performing, playing various instruments and preparing herself as a spokesperson at the tender age of 5. Her move to New York City ushered in numerous opportunities including her first record deal under the Motown and Universal Music Group umbrella, as well as working at major record labels like P.Diddy’s studio “Daddy’s House”, Sony, Atlantic, Epic, & Warner as a songwriter.  Her musical catalog of over 100 records is comprised of a myriad of genres including EDM, country, pop, R&B and a gentler side with soulfully acoustic and soft rock hues. A published songwriter with licensed material on HBO, Nickelodeon and Disney, she has perfected the craft of pinning anthemic songs for shows like Zoe 101 & iCarly as well as artists like Ashanti, Kat Dahlia and Kellie Pickler. Although every record did not make the album, LJ has had songs on reserve from some of the industries hottest recording artists like Kehlani, Christina Aguilera, K.Michelle and Jill Scott just to name a few.  Her ability to deliver a song is the reason she has worked with producers like Timbaland, Mike City and Scott Storch and has opened in concert for artists like Atlantic Records’, Trey Songz and merits phone calls from Clive Davis himself! In addition to her domestic shows, she heralds merit from living legends as the opening act on international tours all over Europe with artists and bands like Sister Sledge, Kool & the Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire, respectively. A published author in a compilation book entitled The Diary of a Songwriter, LJ has expanded her writing repertoire from songs to chapters. Chosen among a handful of other songwriters by 5-time Grammy Award winning producer and engineer, Devine Evans, her journey as an author has only just begun. In addition to a national book release came a Grammy Nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album of The Year for the Soundtrack released early 2016. Periel Aschenbrand is a writer, comic and producer. She is the author of two critically acclaimed comedic memoirs, The Only Bush I Trust is My Own (Penguin, US & Random House, UK) and On My Knees (Harper Collins, US & Penguin, Australia). Her first book was optioned for a pilot by the Oxygen Network which she wrote and starred in.Her work has been featured in countless publications including The New York Times, V Magazine, Style.com, Refinery29, Paper magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Post, Interview Magazine, Huffington Post, Interview MAGAZINE, The Observer and numerous others. She has a bi monthly comedy show called ADULTS ONLY at West Side Comedy Club.  She produces LIVE FROM THE TABLE, the Sirius Radio show and podcast for The Comedy Cellar. She is currently developing a web series.  Tracey L. Walters is an Associate Professor of Literature in the Department of Africana Studies at Stony Brook University where she also holds an affiliate appointment with the Department of English, and Women’s and Gender Studies. Dr. Walters has published numerous articles on Black women’s literature and three books: African American Women and the Classicists Tradition: Black Women Writers from Wheatley to Morrison (2007), an edited collection Zadie Smith: Critical Essays (2008), and an ebook Zadie Smith (2012). Forthcoming: Not Your Mother’s Mammy: The Representation of the Domestic in Transatlantic Media (Rutgers Press), and Zadie Smith Decoded (forthcoming). Walters is the owner of The Life-Long Learners Initiative, an independent educational program for individuals seeking college-level literature courses. She is also a co-host of the new podcast: Black Girls with Accents. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime), Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.