Baayan Bakari developed his love for theater at John F. Kennedy High in Richmond, CA. He studied Sociology at San Jose State Univ. and then went on to study Drama at UC Berkeley. His love of writing came into focus after winning the prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship in 1996.

In 1999, the death of Baayan Bakari's mother, inspired him to stop just studying theater and to begin making films, his long time aspiration. Baayan has written ten screenplays, directed and edited his feature length films and shorts, directed music videos for local artists, and continues to be a driven writer/ filmmaker. Baayan loves the artistic side of directing as much as the storytelling aspect

For more info on Baayan, visit: www.baayanbakari.com

Will E. Chapman
as Malachi

Willie E. Chapman was born November 3, 1986, and raised in Oakland, CA, where he went to Clara Mohammed School and was introduced to acting in the third grade. Throughout middle school Willie showed great enthusiasm for the performing arts, so much that he sung with the third graders while he was in the eighth grade. After graduating with honors Willie would soon learn in high school how uncool it was to be cool. By not dealing with the problems he was having with his family he decided to take them out on himself at school by being everything but a student.

At the end of the eleventh grade Willie saw a group of youth walking into the auditorium and decided to follow them. To his surprise he walked into an acting workshop. The first thing the instructor said while everyone entered was, “The gorilla stole your cool at the door,” which made Willie realize that he had abandoned his passion and fell into a world of expressionless zombies desiring to be like everyone else. From that point he received his film de-beau in “Convictions” and joined the Performing arts Academy at Skyline High School where he began to express himself through art whether it was poetry, choir, or stage acting, he was there. While attending Skyline High School Willie received a principle role in “Fame” as Nick Piatza.

Following graduation Willie began to see the effects of the habits he created in high school, which affected him in college and his job opportunities because he never developed his will to do things that made him uncomfortable. He began to be less involved with acting until he received the principle role of Macbeth in a rendition called “The Mac” then being on tour in a Dramatic Comedy called, “Divas on Tour.”  Subsequent to those an old friend/mentor/director, Baayan Bakari had auditions for Equinox, the film that Willie auditioned for five years prior and didn’t get the part. The director stated that, “He wasn’t ready to lead a film.” Five years later Willie Chapman came prepared and now knows who he is and his life's purpose, “I am an Actor, I will inspire through my art and a plan B is not an option.” 

Melvina Jones
as Mrs. Cross

Melvina Jones was born in San Francisco and has had a life in most of the San Francisco Ghettos: Double Rock, Hunters Point, Western Addition, Portreo Hill, & Sunnydale. She had no idea how to get into acting she just knew it was what she wanted to do.  After her mother died young at age 44 she realized life is short.  She stayed focused with all of the teen pregnancy, drug addiction, & death around her. Melvina has felt like giving up many times because the journey has been everything but easy.  Her family was always asking when are we going to see you on TV or in a Movie.  Melvina explained that it's not easy when you don't know someone in this industry.  10 years in she has slowly began to make progress. Performing on stage in the bay area at Lorraine Hansberry Theater, as Cinderella with African American Shakespeare and others. She also has TV/Film credits: AT&T, Sony Playstation Sing Star, Safeway and a 49ers commercial to begin airing after June 15, 2008.  Melvina also had a principal role in the currently filmed movie "Mission Street Rhaphosdy Produced by Benjamin Bratt.  Melvina remembers the words of successful people saying "You can be anything you want to be just don't give up".  So now there is no option for her. She will be a successful actor or die trying.

David Stewart
as Brother Donovan

David is an Oakland, California native who has worked in many Bay Area Theatre venues including; Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Playhouse West, Shelton Theater, Shotgun Players, Theatre Works, Multi-Ethnic Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and the Black Repertory as well as numerous smaller venues throughout the Bay Area. His most recent performances include; John Patrick Shanley’s Defiance, Marcus Garoley’s Love is a Dream House in Lorin, Lorraine Hansberry’s From Okra to Green’s, and James McClure’s Pvt. Wars. He has worked in independent film including the feature film Rent,and on the television show Nash Bridges in addition to the upcoming independent feature Equinox. He has also performed in radio and television commercials. He has trained at the Jean Shelton Studios and with the American Conservatory Theater. He recently received the Robert Elross (Founder) Award for Excellence in Acting. David’s work is grounded in the Jean Shelton Studios philosophy and continues to train and work throughout the Bay Area as an actor.

Tiara Phalon
as Naima

Tiara Phalon is 21 years old; she was born in East Palo Alto on April 19, 1987, which was coincidentally resurrection (Easter) Sunday. Being able to re-create herself has always been a motif in her life, which is an asset she often channels into her acting career. She has been acting since she was a child doing plays such as Annie and the Nutcracker. And, in high school she was a hot box girl in the play Guys and Dolls. She also had a small role in an Indie film called ‘Convictions’ by Baayan Bakari at the age of 16. Most recently she landed the lead female roles in: a silent student film called Love at Second Glance by Nikki Amin, in a rendition of Shakespeare’s Mac Beth called The Mack by Word Slanger, in now in her most monumental role yet she plays Naima in a controversial Indie by Baayan Bakari called Equinox!

Tiara’s goal as an actress is to expand the boundaries of female actresses in the film industry by always challenging herself to go above and beyond what is expected of young people, black women and women in general. There is nothing she believes she can’t do, and soon the world will believe the same.

Tatiana Monet
as Tiffany

Tatiana Monet began in the drama classes at Willard Middle school. After her mother was murdered when she was 7 she became anti-social for a few years. When she got into the drama class she began to open up and build her character and charisma. From then on she always saw herself as an actress.

Jazmyne Young
as Brandy

Jazmyne Young, is a 19 year old student from Berkeley, California.  She makes her feature film debut in Equinox but has a history in media arts.  For the past four years she has participated in a number of youth organizations based in the Bay Area that aim to equip young people with the resources and assistance to become talented and skillful media makers.  She has recently enrolled in film school where she will study the art of making movies.  This young Spike Lee enthusiast hopes to be recognized for her talents both behind and in front of the camera as she continues to pursue a career in acting. 

Leya Andrews
as Elay

Leya Andrews has been acting since she was a little girl.  She has participated in a summer intensive at Santa Monica Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and, most recently, two summer intensives at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. The plays she's been in include three original plays, A Christmas Carol, A Funny Thing happened on the Way to the Forum, and Our Town. Equinox is her first film.

Achebe Hoskins
as Mr. Cross

Achebe Hoskins has been active in the cultural and performing arts since the age of six. He is an actor, vocalist, storyteller, gumboot dancer, videographer and acting coach. He has written and directed four full-length plays and written over two hundred one acts, sketches and skits. Achebe is the founding director of the Bay Area Performing Arts Collective and has produced, directed and collaborated on over eighty productions in the past 25years.