Mission & Team

Mission

ImageNation Cinema Foundation is a Harlem-based media arts organization, founded with the goal of establishing a chain of art-house cinemas, dedicated to progressive media by and about people of color. Through a variety of public exhibitions and programs, ImageNation fosters media equity, media literacy, solidarity, cross-cultural exchange and highlights the humanity of Pan-African people worldwide.

The Team:

Moikgantsi Kgama – Founder & Executive Director

Moikgantsi Kgama is the founder of ImageNation. A former audience development specialist for independent films targeting communities of color, Moikgantsi built a reputation for excellence in her field. She has been credited with the successful launch of Raoul Peck’s independent epic “LUMUMBA” that appeared on HBO and was accepted for Academy Award nomination. Moikgantsi served as publicist for the groundbreaking documentary “LIFE & DEBT,” which appeared on PBS in August 2001, and was the New York City promotions coordinator for the independent film “FOLLOW ME HOME” starring Alfre Woodard and Benjamin Bratt. Moikgantsi also served as a filmmaker coordinator for 1998 The Sundance Film Festival.

Moikgantsi’s experience has garnered many successful relationships and established Imagenation as a brand known for presenting quality programs that featured short films and performers from the African Diaspora. Her work has enabled her to develop invaluable contacts with performers, filmmakers, film distributors, and record labels like Motown Records and MCA Records; as well as numerous independent film establishments such as The Sundance Film Festival, HBO, 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks, and The Urbanworld Film Festival to name a few

Moikgantsi was named as one of 25 women who are shaping the world in the October 2005 issue of Essence Magazine.  She formerly served as the Director of Communications and Development at Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) a community development organization founded by Black clergy inHarlem to revitalize the once blighted Bradhurst community where Imagenation is based.

Gregory Gates, Executive Producer

Gregory Gates was invited to join ImageNation in October 2001. His expertise in management, grassroots promotions and event production make him a crucial addition to Imagenation.

Gregory has coordinated and managed production teams for “The Tony Awards”, “The Essence Awards”, “Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Celebration” at Madison Square Garden, and The Urbanworld Film Festival to name a few. For 10 years, Gregory Gates’ Eucalyptus Entertainment has produced cultural events in the New York City area including “Poetic Battles” a six-month poetry series at Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater; “Coffee, Tea or Poetry” in collaboration with Starbuck’s Cafes; and “The Eucalyptus Entertainment Dinner Theater Series” held at The Public Theater’s Joe’s Pub in Manhattan and at the Brooklyn Moon Café in Forte Green, Brooklyn.

Gregory also established valuable relationships working at HBO’s “THE CHRIS ROCK SHOW”, Hearst Entertainment’s B Smith With Style, The Harlem Chamber of Commerce and at Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater to name a few.

Board of Directors:

Moikgantsi Kgama, ImageNation Founder, President & Executive Director

Gregory Gates, ImageNation Vice President & Executive Producer

Michael Anabui, ImageNation Treasurer, Aradian Corp.

Michaela angela Davis, ImageNation Board Secretary, BET

Kay Shaw, Amber Images/National Black Programming Consortium

Essie Chambers, V.P. Noggin/The N (owned by MTV Networks/Viacom)

Gregory Watson, DHCR

Seith Mann, Filmmaker

Melissa Thornton, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Advisory Board: