Æ Vision, Droga5 Bring ADCOLOR’s Manifesto to Life
The New York based production company Æ Vision captured the essence of ADCOLOR’s motto, “Rise Up, Reach Back,” in an emotive portrait of a diverse creative community and a sense of collective progress in ADCOLOR’s 2025 Manifesto Film. Created by Droga5 and Æ Vision, the film kicked off the 2025 ADCOLOR Conference, which began on November 11, 2025 at the Coronado Springs Resort in Florida.
With the theme ‘CTRL + ALT + LIFT,’ the short was designed to bring ADCOLOR’s defining principle to life on screen, highlighting both individual voices and shared achievements. Founded in 2005, ADCOLOR is a community dedicated to celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in the advertising and creative industries.
Directed by young visionary Ewurakua Dawson-Amoah, a member of the ADCOLOR Futures class of 2024, the piece embodies the organization’s mission in both message and method. Every stage of production reflected the ethos of authentic inclusion, with a team that was entirely women, nonbinary, BIPOC, LGBTQ, and neurodiverse.
“When brands and their creative collaborators move beyond performative inclusion and co-create with the communities they aim to represent, authenticity becomes effortless,” says Audrey Thomas, Æ Vision’s Co-Founder and Executive Producer. “That emotional truth drives resonance and relevance, and it’s what makes this piece sing. The future of advertising depends on radical collaboration and inclusivity.”
For Æ Vision, the project reinforced a truth they’ve long championed: representation is most powerful when it’s built into the process; it can’t simply be added in post. The film’s impact lies in its sincerity— a product of unified effort amongst partners who share a belief that storytelling can shape the systems behind it. As the industry continues to redefine what inclusion looks like in practice, ADCOLOR and its anthem film stand as a testament to what’s possible when mission and execution move in sync.
“Working with Æ Vision on this project was a dream,” says Dawson-Amoah. “Honestly, they represent why I came into this field in the first place. They’re passionate, dedicated and truly care about uplifting voices of color, on and off screen. They are a team of advocates, trailblazers and badass women. Even more exciting was that their network and crew is comprised of women and non-binary folks of color. It was so healing to direct a project highlighting people of color with a team that reflected that ethos.”
Æ Vision assembled a crew for this assignment that reflected ADCOLOR’s mission. “As a small, diverse, and passionate team that lives and breathes this community, attracting talent aligned with the ADCOLOR ethos happened for us naturally,” says Thomas.
ADCOLOR's community became the film's cast, a deliberate choice that anchored the manifesto in reality. The result was palpable—genuine pride and energy that elevated each frame, transforming what could have been abstract into something deeply felt. Seen in the film are Emily Mogami, Aaron Marshall, Ewurakua Dawson-Amoah, Gena Pemberton, Amera Lulu, Nicky Lorenzo, Bryan Stromer, Aaron Francois, Adrienne Lucas, Mary Nittolo, Madilyne Nuguyen-Acosta, Alexander Ortiz and Sean Choi. The voiceover was narrated by ADCOLOR Founder & President Tiffany R. Warren.
“Ewurakua’s directorial approach was instrumental in hitting the film's emotional target. She set the tone early—from her distinct cinematic approach to the vibe of the music track— always thinking through how each moment would cut together,” says Æ Vision’s Co-Founder and Director of Development Emily Gurland.
“Every decision, from crew and cast to location, aligned seamlessly with ADCOLOR’s mission of celebrating diversity and their creative community,” Gurland sums up, “for Æ Vision, working on a project like this, with such a dream client, underscored the power of producing work rooted in authenticity, inclusivity, and genuine connection.”
Credits:
Production: Æ Vision
Director: Ewurakua Dawson-Amoah
EP & Line Producer: Audrey Thomas
Director of Development & Producer: Emily Gurland
1st Assistant Director: Nicole Carne
2nd Assistant Director: Zahri Josita Jackson
Production Coordinator: Ziyne Abdo
Director of Photography: Renee Nabinger
1st Assistant Camera: Ronnie Gilmore
2nd Assistant Camera: Abby Hauptman
Gaffer: Claire Halloran
Key Grip: Victoria Todorova
Grip: Britney Bautista
Production Designer: Maya Sassoon
Wardrobe Stylist: Nataly Berrio-Gil
Hair & Makeup Artist: Sol Henriquez
Art Assistant s: Nadia Sanchez, Aura Branco, Mia Dang
Production Assistants: Joaquin Rodriguez, Bakhtawar Tagar
Agency: Droga5
Creative Directors: Courtney Richardson, Samantha Salzano
Senior Art Director: Germany Lancaster
Senior Copywriter: Chris Thomas
Art Director: Alicia Novoa
Copywriter: Ruby Robinson
Designers: Viktoria Burak, Anna Céline Kaarling Khan, Bernise Wong, Justin Tang
Executive Producer: Jeremy Fox
Producers: Harit Muttreja, Isaac Salas
Senior Music Supervisor: Mike Ladman
Junior Music Supervisor: Mara Techam
Senior Brand and Comms Strategist: Ashley Celestin
Executive Group Account Director: Khari Mpagazehe
Account Supervisor : Claire Rodriguez
Edit: Cartel
Editor: Matt Laroche
Executive Producer: Malini Kartha
Producer: Kayla Wilkins
Color: Rare Medium
Colorist: Rachel Kong
Producer: Lucy Gatanis
Sound Design + Mix: Wave Studios NY
Sound Designer: Austin Ferreira
Executive Producer: Vicky Ferraro
Producer: Eleni Giannopoulos
Producer: Pooji Jonnavithula
Music: Squeak E. Clean Studios
Executive Director of Production: Max Taylor Creative Director and Composer: Matthew ComptonProducer: Emma Dufault
Visual Effects: House of Parliament
Special thanks to Tiffany R. Warren, Founder & President, ADCOLOR; Ana Leen, VP of Partnerships, ADCOLOR; Criseli Roddy, Dir. of Programs, ADCOLOR; Katie Beaule, Dir. of Communications, ADCOLOR: Isa Beltre, Dir. of Merchandising, ADCOLOR; Candace D. Queen, Strategic Growth Advisor, ADCOLOR; Akintayo Adewole, Photographer, Filmmaker and Music Director, Adewole Photo + Film/Akande Music; St. Francis De Sales School for the Deaf.
