(Photo courtesy of Newark Public Schools)
As Newark Chops premiere's today, FEMWORKS is proud to release a behind-the-scenes look into the collaborative spirit, local entrepreneurship, and visionary leadership that brought this new reality series to life. Executive produced by FEMWORKS, in partnership with Cobblestone Multimedia, Newark Chops three episodes highlights the incredible skills of Newark Vocational High School’s Culinary Arts Academy students, while also telling a deeper story of Newark’s entrepreneurs, creators, and future leaders. Click here to watch the trailer.
(Caption: Newark Chops student cast member Joi Lucas, Kimberlee S. Williams, CEO of FEMWORKS, and Illianis Tejada at private screening)
“At FEMWORKS, authentic storytelling is at the heart of everything we do,” said
Kimberlee S. Williams, CEO of FEMWORKS. “By tapping into our Newark Business Hub talent network—from veteran creatives like Jeff Billingsley to innovators like LeRon Lee, and music producer Carter ‘Roc’ Mangan Jr., and casting Newark restauranteur judges Chef Kai Campbell, owner of The Yard restaurant, Chef Shaquay Peacock, private chef, and Chef Jesse Jones, a private chef and author —we’ve built a team that not only captures the students’ journey but also shows the power of Newark’s creative entrepreneur community.”
(Caption: Production Manager, Jeff Billingsley, CEO of Cobblestone Multimedia, music producer, Carter Roc Mangan Jr., restauranteur and judge Chef Kai Campbell, and executive producer, Kimberlee S. Williams)
Celebrating a Homegrown Collaboration
Newark Business Hub Roots: FEMWORKS CEO Kimberlee S. Williams and Cobblestone Multimedia CEO Jeff Billingsley co-founded the Newark Business Hub, a social enterprise that began with seed funding and partnership with Rutgers Business School Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CUEED) in 2016. Its mission is to equip local entrepreneurs with the tools, connections, and confidence to succeed.
Spotlight on a Newark Business Hub Alumnus: Newark Chops is directed by LeRon Lee, an inaugural graduate in the Newark Business Hub program. A Newark native, LeRon has produced and directed projects for outlets such as HBO, BET, WHYY, and PBS, and has showcased his short films at the Newark International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival. His cinematic approach and dedication to uplifting underrepresented voices bring a fresh perspective to the students’ stories, reflecting the Hub’s commitment to elevating local talent.
(Caption: Newark Chops director, LeRon Lee)
In addition, the series’ original music is produced by Carter “Roc” Mangan Jr., also a Newark native and NBH alumnus, who brings a dynamic and distinctly Newark flair to the show’s soundtrack. Learn more about his work at therocproductions.com.
Enlisting Rutgers University-Newark Students: True to FEMWORKS’ collaborative approach, undergraduate students Laila Hoff and Godard Aristil of Rutgers University-Newark were engaged to capture b-roll footage, gaining valuable hands-on production experience and showcasing another layer of community involvement and creative industry ecosystem building.
Elevating Newark’s Culinary Future
In Newark Chops, seniors from Newark Vocational High School’s Culinary Arts Academy compete in timed challenges over three episodes. What emerges is a testament to Newark’s thriving career and technical education programs and the lifelong skills students gain under the mentorship of dedicated educators.
“This show is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of the innovation and determination that make Newark stand out,” said Jeff Billingsley, CEO of Cobblestone Multimedia. “By collaborating with Kimberlee and her team at FEMWORKS, we’ve created an opportunity to showcase Newark’s young chefs—and the city’s vibrant entrepreneurial network—in one inspiring series.”
A Testament to Teamwork and Partnership
From conceptualizing the series to rolling cameras, Newark Chops epitomizes a multifaceted local effort. FEMWORKS, a longstanding marketing partner of the Newark Board of Education, orchestrated not only the show’s production logistics but also wove in its signature approach to authentic storytelling, ensuring the students’ voices remain front and center.
(Caption: Kimberlee S. Williams, CEO, FEMWORKS with Havier Nazario, Chief of Staff, Newark Public Schools)
“This new reality series shows our students learning the true essence of teamwork,” said Superintendent León, who led the Culinary Arts Academy’s founding as part of the District’s historic 10-year strategic plan. “They are pushed to use their creativity, and their success depends on how well they work together. Newark Chops showcases our outstanding students, our dedicated teaching chefs, and our world-class culinary education program. I encourage everyone who wants to see what we do in Newark Public Schools to watch the program.”
About the Creators
Kimberlee Williams (CEO, FEMWORKS, Executive Producer, Newark Chops) Kimberlee Williams is a TED speaker and award-winning social entrepreneur known for connecting with diverse and multicultural audiences. As CEO of FEMWORKS, she’s transformed the agency into a leading-edge sensory content creation and AI-powered marketing firm. Now a key part of the Consciouspreneur.io ecosystem, FEMWORKS helps businesses tell authentic stories that drive business impact and foster equity. Kimberlee’s passion lies in blending technology with culture to inspire real change in urban and multicultural spaces.
Jeff Billingsley (CEO, Cobblestone Multimedia, Production Management, Newark Chops) Jeff is an award-winning multimedia producer with a passion for empowering youth and fostering local entrepreneurship. Through Cobblestone Multimedia, Jeff has spearheaded numerous film, television, music, and audio digital content projects that spotlight community voices and open doors for emerging talent.
LeRon Lee (Director, Newark Chops) An inaugural participant in the Newark Business Hub, LeRon is a Newark native and accomplished filmmaker. He has produced content for outlets such as HBO, BET, WHYY, and PBS, and debuted short films at the Newark International Film Festival, Sundance and Tribeca Film Festival. LeRon’s creative vision, commitment to elevating underrepresented voices, and cinematic storytelling style are at the heart of Newark Chops.
Carter “Roc” Mangan Jr. (Music Producer, Newark Chops) A Newark Business Hub alumnus, Carter “Roc” Mangan Jr. is a Newark-based music producer, musician, and sound engineer behind Off The Rock, LLC. His work has appeared on networks like CBS, FOX, HBO, MTV, VH1, BET, and Netflix, earning him awards for “Best Soundtrack,” “Excellence in Marketing,” and “Best Music & Sound Craft.” Roc’s distinctive Newark flair infuses Newark Chops with an energetic edge. Learn more at therocproductions.com.
About Cobblestone Multimedia
Cobblestone Multimedia is an award-winning digital content production company based in Newark, NJ. Led by CEO Jeff Billingsley, Cobblestone Multimedia focuses on community-driven storytelling, youth entrepreneurship, and transformative projects that uplift local voices.
About Newark Business Hub
The Newark Business Hub, pioneered by FEMWORKS and Cobblestone Multimedia in collaboration with Rutgers Business School CUEED, aims to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs, creatives, and makers. The holistic program provides education, coaching, community, and resources to help participants succeed in their chosen fields.
For more information, visit https://www.consciouspreneur.io/newark-business-hub-academy.
About FEMWORKS
FEMWORKS, celebrating more than 20-years in marketing communications, specializes in AI-driven automation, sensory content creation, and pivotal business strategies. Now a key part of the Consciouspreneur.io ecosystem, FEMWORKS amplifies business impact through innovation, collaboration, and storytelling that connects communities and drives sustainable growth.
For more information, visit https://www.consciouspreneur.io/femworks-multimodal-marketing.
Screening & Broadcast Details
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