Jesse Vaughan has directed films such as “Juwanna Mann” and “The Last Punch”. And over the past few years, he’s turned Virginia State University into a film powerhouse producing commercials, documentaries, and short films.
The 61-year-old native of Richmond has received new recognition for his decades of work as a director, producer and filmmaker.
Mr. Vaughan received the Ted Yates Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 62nd Emmy Awards.
The prize was awarded in a virtual ceremony last Saturday together with regional Emmys.
Mr. Vaughan was quoted as having won more than 30 Emmy Awards for his work in Hollywood and at VSU “after suffering great tragedy and caring for his aging mother who was diagnosed with dementia.”
Mr. Vaughan, who now lives in Petersburg and was director of the VSU division of the Advanced Creative Services Group for nine years, “also supports the local art scene, makes his talents available to charitable organizations and mentors young filmmakers and enthusiasts,” it says in the quote.
Mr. Vaughan, a member of the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame at Virginia Commonwealth University, is not resting on his laurels.
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Vaughan and the VSU department he heads won four regional Emmys in the competition. NATAS ‘National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter covers the area that includes Richmond, Norfolk, Washington and Baltimore.
Three of the Emmys were awarded for the 5-minute VSU short video “Say Her Name – School of Thought”, which honors black women and girls like Sandra Bland, Rekia Boyd, Aiyana Jones and others who have died or died at the hands of the police in an unjust way.
The emotional video won an Emmy for Public, Current, or Community Affairs, and Mr. Vaughan won the Editor Emmy for his work in creating the video.
The Emmy for writing also went to Dr. Zoe Spencer, a VSU professor of sociology, social work, and crime
Justice who created and delivered the essay in the video. Dr. Spencer said she created “Say Her Name” to pay homage to women killed in the present and past and to pay more attention to the often overlooked female victims of racism and police brutality.
The video shows Dr. Spencer talking to photos and video clips that Mr. Vaughan added to show what happened to the women.
Mr. Vaughan and his department also received an Emmy for the Study Jazz at VSU commercial, which the university used to promote the program.
Meanwhile, WTVR Channel 6 in Richmond took home 17 regional Emmys, while NBC12, WWBT Channel 12 won eight Emmys.