Program 01Apprenticeship
Hands-on training with working cinematographers — building the technical and creative chops to step onto a real set.
Meet the apprentices →A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Your talent. Our tools. No limits.
Creative Media Group equips underrepresented young talent with elite technical training and real project opportunities — turning creative passion into a powerhouse career.
Mission // Bridging the digital divideStatus // Production activeStudios // Coming soon
From the Apprenticeship Program
What we do
We educate young people who want to learn the craft of cinematography.
We engage through a creative curriculum and prepare them for a technical career in Film, Television, and Digital Content Creation.
We strive to change the cultural narrative by altering the way business is done behind the lens — creating opportunities for future filmmakers and directors from underrepresented communities.
Core Programs
— 04Program 01
Program 02Eco System
A sustainable incubator and lifelong network — equipment access, studio space, and creative collaboration for our cohort.
Read the Miami Herald feature →
Program 03Film Festival
An annual showcase of youth-led productions, premiered for industry scouts, partners, and production houses.
View the film on IMDb →
Program 04Youth Summit
An annual convening of young creatives, mentors, and industry leaders — panels, workshops, and networking that connect our cohort to the next stage of their careers.
Explore the Summit →The Facts
We need to fundamentally alter the way we do business behind the lens.
Efforts for diversity remain stagnant when it comes to directors, writers, filmmakers, and top studio executives. In 2011, people of color made up 12.2% of directors of theatrical films. That number rose to 19.3% in 2018 — and then fell back to 14.4% in 2019.
At Creative Media Group, we partner with some of the biggest brands in the world to create work that uses undiscovered, diverse, and innovative talent.
12.2%
Directors of color, 2011
19.3%
Peak in 2018
14.4%
Back down by 2019
10+ yrs
Industry experience on staff
Our Founder
“Great cinema requires a multitude of perspectives. I'm personally invested in leveling the playing field by providing young, underrepresented talent with the access, mentorship, and gear they need to disrupt the industry.”
Maria Taylor began her career with passion projects like “What's New with Maria Taylor,” a travel series produced in destinations all over the world. As an EP, she interviewed celebrity chefs Bobby Flay, Carla Hall, and Marcus Samuelsson, and went on to produce large-scale productions for artists including Chaka Khan. Her focus today is social impact.
Founder · CinematographerMaria Taylor
Lead CinematographerTony Delerme
Industry armCrashing Waves Pictures ↗
The Team
Tony Delerme — Lead Cinematographer
A filmmaker and actor from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tony's love for the camera led him from film school in South Florida to New York City. His body of work spans film, television, and branded content, with collaborations alongside Meagan Good, Garcelle Beauvais, and Jimmy Jean-Louis. He is co-founder of Crashing Waves Pictures.
The Team · Executive Board
— 06The people steering CMG
Executive Director / President
Maria Taylor
Founder, Creative Media Group
A change agent, female business owner, and CEO of Crashing Waves Pictures and Creative Media Group. With 15+ years as a filmmaker and industry professional, Maria teaches the technical side of cinematography and is one of the very few women of color with the title 'Cinematographer.' Her work shifts the narrative on how business is done behind the lens, empowering creators from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.
Strategic Planning
Chris Steele
Advisory Board
A sales and marketing expert whose services have launched and managed brands like Nokia, Vertu, Techno Marine, and Tag Heuer. In 2007 he founded Chris Steele Partners, LLC, developing sales and marketing strategies for major brands. He lends personal and professional resources to expand CMG's relationships and maximize impact.
Treasurer
Michelle St. Jules
Advisory Board
Founder of Style Bound Inc., a lifestyle management company, Michelle is an experienced business owner with a strong consulting background and a track record of securing endorsements for countless celebrities. As Director of Philanthropy, she ensures adequate resources and strategies with a donor-centered philosophy.
Board Secretary
Elayna Christine
Founder, EL MGMT Group + Advisory Board
Elayna Christine is the founder of EL MGMT Group, a program design company focused on high-impact experiences at the intersection of storytelling and strategic growth. With 10+ years of experience and a B.S. in Communication Studies from the University of Miami — where she currently teaches — and an M.A. in Socio-Legal Studies from York University, she brings a strong foundation in human interaction. She has produced news media for E.W. Scripps, the Emmy Award–winning American broadcast company, and now works with organizations and public-facing leaders to translate their expertise into strategic programs, audience engagement, and new opportunities for growth. She brings this perspective to her work with CMG, contributing to initiatives that amplify emerging voices.
Programming
Jeffrey Cedeno
Advisory Board
A digital marketing and brand-building expert with 15+ years developing major brand strategies and global campaigns. A native New Yorker, NYU graduate, and FIT business master's, Jeffrey dedicates his time to helping small organizations and businesses build solid strategies for success.
Marketing & Communications
Anjali Virmani
Advisory Board
Anjali Virmani is a senior media and marketing executive with more than two decades of experience building global brands, audiences, and revenue ecosystems across leading media companies including Time Out Media, Hearst, and Condé Nast. Most recently serving as Global Head of Creative Solutions at Time Out, she led international teams and developed integrated marketing and partnership strategies that drove multi-market growth and multi-million-dollar brand collaborations. A media strategist and thought leader focused on driving workforce equity through strategic industry partnerships, Anjali connects the future of advertising and commerce to the immediate needs of media arts apprentices, building the corporate bridges necessary for successful career transitions. She is passionate about leveraging brand storytelling to create community-led platforms that offer apprentices direct access to the creative economy.