NORMAN, OKLA. – The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication has announced Nia T. Hill, an award-winning writer, director, producer, and entrepreneur, as the recipient of the 2025 Lumine Lifetime Achievement Award. The award, presented annually by Gaylord College, honors media professionals who have made significant and sustained contributions to the industry while championing issues related to the unique challenges experienced by women in media.
With a career spanning more than 25 years, Hill has built a legacy of creating award winning projects, founding successful production companies, and championing diverse voices in media. She has founded and led several production companies, including Strange Fruit and The Solstice Group, which created, developed and produced notable projects. Her company Strange Fruit Media was behind the BET Networks hit television competition series “Sunday Best,” winning Hill an NAACP award.
Hill has also made an impact in music, co-writing the GRAMMY Award-winning song “Jesus,” performed by Le’Andria Johnson. Following this achievement, she became creative director for Chaka Khan and later partnered with DreamWorks Entertainment and Paramount Studios to produce the post-Katrina series “One Night Only: The Series,” featuring Jennifer Hudson.
Hill’s innovative spirit led to the creation of “The Momentum Experience,” a distribution and exhibition model that re-imagined the way we experience films in theaters. With investor/partner Will Smith, and distribution partner Marc Cuban, the model released the romantic comedy 'The Seat Filler,' which became a theatrical success
Her documentary “Colored My Mind,” which explores the experiences of five African American women raising autistic children, won the "Best Filmmaker" award at the Cannes AMPAV Film Festival in 2012. The film’s impact extended beyond the screen, inspiring new legislation that resulted in the U.S. federal government committing over $3 billion to autism research and services in underserved communities.
Most recently, Hill completed the libretto for her critically acclaimed opera “Nina Simone Presents: Ce'st Tout Absurde, A Coloured Ballet." Under her Bridge X Media banner, she is also building “The Octaverse,” a transmedia universe inspired by the works of Octavia E. Butler, in collaboration with Oscar-winning producer John Sloss.
In 2024, Hill launched the One Drop Experience (ODX), an innovative business that is poised to revolutionize the film exhibition and immersive entertainment landscape. ODX is carving out a unique niche in the entertainment industry by offering an experience that combines commercially successful films with live, immersive entertainment components, providing moviegoers with an unparalleled experience that is simply not available at local multiplexes. With a remarkable blend of business acumen, social responsibility, and creative vision, Nia T. Hill has redefined what it means to lead in the entertainment industry.
Her career showcases the transformative power of storytelling to drive change and elevate diverse voices. Nia T. Hill will be honored with the Lumine Lifetime Achievement Award on Feb. 20, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Gaylord Hall Auditorium.
About the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma is committed to preparing the next generation of media professionals. The college offers five undergraduate majors in advertising, creative media production, journalism, professional writing and public relations, providing students with a diverse and engaging educational experience. In addition to its undergraduate offerings, Gaylord College features graduate and Ph.D. programs, as well as an online master’s degree. These advanced programs are designed to nurture academic excellence, adapt to diverse learning needs and inspire innovative thinking among students. For more information, visit ou.edu/gaylord.
