Kasmira Cryer uses media to create unity instead of divisiveness
Kasmira Cryer is someone who saw first-hand the devisivness media can create. Instead of staying in the problem she is committing herself to elevate media and social influence to unite the world! Tara Trantham is a lawyer determined to use her story to create better systems for victims of family violence and mental health issues. This dynamic duo are not only inspiring, they are creating a positive way forward, promoting love and acceptance for all. Follow them both on social media to keep up with their latest projects.
Amanda Kazzy Cryer is a Filmmaker, Social Impact Influencer, Consultant and Strategist. She is committed to elevating voices through social media, film and traditional media, and is passionate about media-driven projects that bring awareness to social issues. Having lived and worked in both developed and developing countries, she has been active in co-creating opportunities to solve problems, shift systems, and activate the inner capacity of leaders to create lasting change.
As a social impact influencer and consultant, Amanda has coached and worked with hundreds of people from all different backgrounds including influencers, leading change makers and emerging changemakers in media, celebrities, community activists, leaders at the United Nations, scientists, philosophers, thought-leaders, TV and Film personalities, Nobel Prize recipients, CEOs, actors, and founders of nonprofits and triple bottom line organizations. Since 2009, Amanda has been practicing the Conscious Full Spectrum Response framework developed by her mentor Dr. Monica Sharma (former Director of Leadership and Capacity Development at the United Nations) in systems shift language and transformative dialogue in media. The CFSR is a unique response model based on extensive application, which simultaneously in time solves problems, illuminates and shifts systems and creates new patterns sourced from individual inner capacity and transformational leadership. This particular model has generated sustainable results worldwide. ?
Amanda was the Project Director for United Global Shift, a non profit that delivers workshops for people engaged in initiatives that make a difference. UGS coaches people on projects that both empower individuals and shift the systems that perpetuate chronic issues such as poverty, discrimination, environmental degradation and war. United Global Shift works with leaders and emerging leaders who want to be at the forefront of positive change. UGS mission statement: We are causing a united global shift in what is possible for humanity, focusing on the environment, entrepreneurship, health and education. A shift from survival and scarcity to possibility and peace. Amanda coached emerging leaders in project management and strategic planning that addressed systemic issues.
?As a filmmaker, Amanda’s productions have included What They Wanted, What They Got, which sold to Showtime; and the multiple award winning, Luz: The Flower of Evil. From 2009 to 2012, she worked with a cohort of Native American actors, including alumni of the Twilight film series, to bring awareness to the water infrastructure issues negatively impacting Indigenous communities across the country. She also worked at Roy Lee’s production company Vertigo Entertainment (Doctor Sleep, It, The Departed, The Lego Movie) and served as a producer on the award-winning short film The Lord of Catan starring Fran Kranz (The Cabin in The Woods,Mass) and Amy Acker (Person of Interest, Angel). She co-founded Do Good Media and 1 Voice World, production companies involved in the development and co-creation of media driven projects that look at what’s possible when we overcome polarization and move towards unity. Amanda’s latest film, Inside Men, highlights personal stories from people whom the prison system has affected in one way or another, the injustices of the prison industrial complex repudiating governmental structures, and private industries that view prisons as a solution to their bottom lines and societal challenges.?
She is a conscious activist for ethical eating, prison reform, mental health, addiction, human trafficking and people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Tara received her B.A. degree in Political Science with a minor in Religious Studies from The University of North Carolina in 1995 where she was involved in various campus organizations. She went on to receive her J.D. degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois, where she was ranked in the Top 15% of her class, on the Dean’s List and received the Dean’s Grant Scholarship. She studied International Comparative Law in Norway, was a Student Advisor and a member of Moot Court Health Law Competition Team along with other campus organizations.
Tara began her career at AGFA Corporation, Healthcare Division, as an Assistant General Counsel in August 2001. In August 2005, she accepted a position as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel with Sherman Financial Group, LLC/Resurgent Capital Services, LLP. She was Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel at Security Finance Corporation of Spartanburg from 2009 to 2012. Tara became the Senior Vice President, Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel of World Acceptance Corporation in 2013 to 2018. Tara served as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary and General Counsel for Heights Finance from 2018 to 2021.
Tara was appointed General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for Omni Financial until December 2021.In February of 2022, Tara founded her own fractional general counsel company, Rise Legal Team.Tara is an experienced, detail oriented corporate lawyer with excellent litigation and management skills and is a driven team leader. Having over 23 years of experience, Tara is an expert in the financial services industry and specializes in regulatory compliance and risk management, SEC reporting, mergers and acquisitions and licensing issues. Her expertise led to handling the seminal CID from the CFPB in the installment loan industry resulting in a no finding.She is a member of the Georgia Bar, the American Bar Association, and has served on the Board of Directors for American Financial Services Association, Served on the Law Committee with American Financial Services Association (AFSA). Served as Chair of the State and Government Affairs Committee with AFSA. Tara has been very active in her local community as well, serving on the Board of Safe Harbor, the Board of the Greenville Symphony, was a member of the class of 35 Leadership Greenville, Furman Diversity and Inclusion Program, Greenville Professional Women’s Forum, Member of Female Leaders of the Upstate, and spends much of her time volunteering at local organizations.
Tara is married to her husband Jonathan and has one son Christian. She treasures time with her family and loves to watch her son play football. Tara has completed her first book, entitled, “Take Off that Mask, Life Ain’t No Masquerade Ball”, detailing her personal journey from a failed suicide attempt to thriving and living with joy, love and kindness.