Tomeka M. Winborne

Tomeka M. Winborne is a writer/director/producer. She considers herself a social impact filmmaker.  Additionally, she’s in post-production for a short film, “WISE LOVE.” She hopes to use this film to start discussions around mental health and caregivers. 

She also directed a feature documentary, “THE ABERDEEN GARDENS 158, FOR US BY US.” The documentary follows the history, heritage and future of historic Aberdeen Gardens. Built for and by African-Americans in 1935 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program, the neighborhood provided modern homes to African-American workers.

Currently, Tomeka directs audio books for Penguin Randomhouse. 

2005, Tomeka wrote her first novel “WHERE MY STRENGTH COMES FROM”. After getting an eight state book signing deal with Waldenbookstore, she was inspired to see her stories on visual mediums. 

In 2009, she wrote and directed her first short film, 'PASS ME BY.' Since then, she has directed two commercials, one PSA and four additional short films that center around social issues including “AGED OUT” which was selected in the 2018 BronzeLens and CineOdysee Film Festivals. Additionally, “AGED OUT” was used for the Department of Human Services and other nonprofits to bring awareness to young adults aging out of the foster care system. 

In 2014, Tomeka produced a feature documentary, “IN PLAIN SIGHT: HUMAN TRAFFICKING” for Cox Media Group. She has also produced and field produced a few television segments. 

Tomeka was selected as a participant in the “AWD Directing the Actor Lab-2021” six month hands-on lab taught by Jennifer Warren, AWD Chairperson and Founder and University Southern California Professor.  Currently, Tomeka has several industry mentors and a career coach that is helping her navigate to accomplish her goals to direct episodic TV and film. 

Tomeka currently serves on the Board of AWD, chairs the Black Directors’ Advancement Initiative with the Alliance of Women Directors and is interim Chair of AWD’s South Branch.  She is also a member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Women of Color Unite and the Video Consortium. Previously, Tomeka served as a board member on the Hampton Roads Chapter of the  Virginia Production Alliance board in 2015. She has volunteered as a film reviewer for  Southern Arts.