Philadelphia’s creative community gathered at the Academy of Natural Sciences for an inspiring evening of film, conversation, and entrepreneurship during Entrepreneur Works Presents: The Business of Art, featuring acclaimed actor and producer Julius Tennon.
The event brought together filmmakers, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for a candid conversation about creativity, ownership, and building sustainable careers in the arts. As part of the ongoing Entrepreneur Works Presents series, the program explored the intersection of artistic expression and entrepreneurship — highlighting what it truly takes to turn creative work into a lasting career.
Held ahead of the Philadelphia premiere of the restored film Riverbend, the evening offered both inspiration and practical insight for creatives navigating the evolving landscape of film, media, and storytelling.
Entrepreneur Works extends sincere appreciation to event partners Philm Factory, TSP & LB Media, and ReelBlack, whose collaboration helped make the evening possible. ReelBlack, the Philadelphia-based media company responsible for restoring Riverbend, played a critical role in preserving the film and bringing this historic story back to audiences.
A Conversation on Creativity, Ownership, and Longevity
With more than three decades of experience in film, television, and theater, Julius Tennon brought a wealth of insight to the evening’s conversation.
Tennon’s career spans productions such as Batman v. Superman, Get On Up, Friday Night Lights, and Dazed and Confused, along with television appearances including How to Get Away With Murder and Criminal Minds. Beyond acting, Tennon serves as President and Co-Founder of JuVee Productions, the production company he launched with Academy Award-winning actor Viola Davis.
Through JuVee Productions, Tennon has helped bring powerful stories to global audiences, including major productions such as The Woman King and G20. The company is known for championing diverse voices while combining strong storytelling with thoughtful business strategy.
During the conversation, Tennon spoke candidly about the realities of building a long-term career in creative industries. He emphasized the importance of ownership, discipline, and understanding the business structures that support creative work.
The discussion was moderated by Janine Spruill, filmmaker, educator, and founder of Eli’ Filmmakers Inc. Spruill is also a proud Entrepreneur Works client, and through her nonprofit she expands access to media education and mentorship for underrepresented young creatives. Her thoughtful moderation helped guide the conversation through themes of storytelling, entrepreneurship, and the long-term sustainability of creative careers.The evening was hosted by Aisha Winfield, founder of Abundance in Business Consulting. With nearly two decades of experience in the music industry and creative business development, Winfield brought both energy and insight to the program as emcee, helping frame the conversation around leadership, creativity, and business growth within the arts
Philadelphia Creatives Share Their Work
One of the most engaging moments of the evening was the Entrepreneur Feedback Session, where Philadelphia-based creatives shared their work and received feedback directly from Tennon.
Three entrepreneurs were featured during the session.
Eboni Zamani, a Philadelphia-based multimedia artist and Black Public Media Immersive Fellow, shared work exploring themes of Black identity, value, and preservation. Through her company Girl Productions, Zamani creates projects that combine storytelling, art, and cultural exploration.
Diken Ekhator, creator of the animated series The Naija Show, also participated in the session. Ekhator is another Entrepreneur Works client, and his project blends African storytelling, satire, and contemporary diasporic life through animation. His work reflects a growing global demand for culturally rich and authentic narratives.
Twin filmmakers Eli and Lu Bevins, founders of Eli Lu Entertainment and the nonprofit Philm Factory, presented their upcoming feature film The Soil, scheduled for release in 2026.
As both partners in the event and participants in the feedback session, the Bevins twins shared their creative vision for the film during a special one-on-one exchange with Tennon.
The moment highlighted one of the central goals of Entrepreneur Works Presents — creating opportunities for emerging creatives to engage directly with experienced industry leaders.
The exchange offered valuable insight into the filmmaking process while reinforcing the importance of mentorship and collaboration within the creative community.
Supporting Creative Entrepreneurship in Philadelphia
Entrepreneur Works has long supported small business owners through access to capital, business education, and technical assistance. Events like Entrepreneur Works Presents expand that mission by engaging creative entrepreneurs and cultural innovators working in film, media, art, and entertainment.
While creative professionals often follow nontraditional career paths, their work contributes significantly to Philadelphia’s economy and cultural identity.
By creating spaces where artists, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs can connect with mentors, resources, and each other, Entrepreneur Works continues to support a broader vision of entrepreneurship — one that recognizes the value and impact of the creative economy.
The evening concluded with an engaging audience Q&A session where attendees asked Tennon about career longevity, navigating Hollywood, and balancing artistic integrity with business strategy.
Throughout the conversation, one message remained clear: building a successful career in the arts requires both creativity and business understanding.
As Tennon noted during the discussion, talent may open doors — but sustainability requires discipline, ownership, and a clear vision for the work.
Continuing the Conversation and Supporting Philadelphia’s Creative Community
Entrepreneur Works Presents is about more than a single event. It’s about building a stronger ecosystem for creative entrepreneurs in Philadelphia.
Many of the leaders who joined us on stage are themselves entrepreneurs building organizations that support artists, filmmakers, and storytellers across the city. We encourage creatives interested in learning more to explore and connect with some of the partners and entrepreneurs who helped make the evening possible.
The creative vision for the Entrepreneur Works Presents series was developed by TSP & LB Media, led by Tatiana Bacchus, a former Entrepreneur Works team member tunred entrepreneur. Tatiana’s journey reflects the full-circle impact of the organization’s work.
Philm Factory, co-founded by filmmakers Eli and Lu Bevins, is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting filmmakers and expanding access to film education, production opportunities, and creative collaboration. Creatives interested in filmmaking, storytelling, or production can learn more about their work and upcoming initiatives here: https://philmfactory.org
Philadelphia-based media company ReelBlack also played an important role in the evening. ReelBlack restored the historic film Riverbend, helping preserve and amplify an important piece of Black cinematic history. Their work continues to elevate Black cinema and support restoration projects that bring overlooked stories back to audiences. You can learn more about their work — and support future restoration efforts here: https://www.reelblack.com
The evening’s moderator, Janine Spruill, founder of Lil’ Filmmakers Inc., is also a proud Entrepreneur Works client whose organization continues to expand access to media education and mentorship for young creatives across Philadelphia.
Our host for the evening, Aisha Winfield, founder of Abundance in Business Consulting, works closely with creative entrepreneurs to help them translate their talent into sustainable business models. Her leadership throughout the evening reflected the kind of thoughtful facilitation and industry insight that continues to strengthen conversations within Philadelphia’s creative community.
Each of these leaders represents the kind of entrepreneurship that drives Philadelphia’s creative economy forward.
At Entrepreneur Works, we believe creatives are entrepreneurs too. While their paths may not always follow traditional business models, their work contributes deeply to the cultural and economic fabric of our city.
Through technical assistance, mentorship, programming, and partnerships, Entrepreneur Works is committed to continuing to support creatives who are building businesses through storytelling, media, design, performance, and the arts.
As we continue to grow the Entrepreneur Works Presents series, we are also working to better understand the needs of Philadelphia’s creative community.
If you are a creative entrepreneur, filmmaker, artist, designer, or cultural producer, we invite you to share your voice with us.
Even if you were unable to attend the event, you can help shape future programming, resources, and opportunities for creatives in Philadelphia by completing our short survey.
Take the Creative Entrepreneur Survey: CLICK HERE
Your feedback will help us design future workshops, mentorship opportunities, and programs that better support the needs of creatives across the region.
The conversation started at Entrepreneur Works Presents does not end when the event ends. It continues through the relationships we build, the resources we share, and the opportunities we create together.
And we look forward to continuing that work alongside Philadelphia’s creative community.
