TV and film producer to speak Wednesday at C-SC as Konneker Leader in Residence

CANTON, Mo. — Radazaih “Cookie” Whittington, an entrepreneur, TV and film producer and educator, will serve as the spring 2024 Konneker Leader in Residence at Culver-Stockton College.

Whittington, a 2017 graduate, has experience in media production, having worked on shows such as “Sesame Street” and at organizations like Tyler Perry Studios. Her career includes roles at Black News Channel (BNC), NBC and Cox Communications/Cox Media, where she contributed to media strategy, content creation, social media management and streaming/OTT initiatives.

In a press release, President Lauren Schellenberger said, “Culver-Stockton College is excited to welcome Radazaih Whittington back to campus to share her experiences as an entrepreneur and in film and TV producing. Her story, commitment and enterprising spirit will be an inspiration for our students seeking to be bold, think big and create change.”

Whittington founded Royal Horizon Productions, an Atlanta-based production company that amplifies the voices of people of color in television and film and provides multi-media services. She also launched Royal Talent Studios, which offers space and resources for creatives in the media industry.

Whittington established Royal Horizon Beauty Supply Vending, a business that places vending machines stocked with beauty, hair, skin and health products on college campuses. This initiative addresses the needs of minority students. The first vending machine was launched at her alma mater, Culver-Stockton College, in 2023.

She earned a bachelor of arts in media communication from Culver-Stockton College in 2017, followed by a master of arts in TV and film from the Savannah College of Art & Design in 2019. She obtained a juris master in media and entertainment law from Emory University School of Law in 2021.

During her residency, Whittington will be the keynote speaker at a luncheon with the topic, “Beyond the Diplomas: Crafting Your Unwritten Story” and will be visiting a class thereafter on Wednesday, Feb. 19. She will provide an interactive series designed to guide students through what comes next after college. The audience will explore the realities of navigating diverse career paths, embracing leadership in its many forms and fostering entrepreneurial spirit.

Whittington reminds students, “it’s perfectly OK to not have everything figured out. Life’s journey is filled with twists and turns, and that’s all part of the adventure.”

The Wilfred and Ann Lee Konneker Leaders in Residence program was established at Culver-Stockton College in 2013 with the framework to provide a supportive and value-based learning environment where students can acquire knowledge and skills to work with and through others to accomplish mutual goals.

The Leader in Residence is annually selected by a committee and asked to share their leadership principles with the C-SC community.