Writer/Director

David Velo Stewart
David Velo Stewart is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1991, he graduated from University School, an all boys private high school located in Hunting Valley, Ohio. Attending the University of Virginia, David majored in African American studies with a concentration in film. He interned at Darden Visual Communications and completed the Beginning Film Production class at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. By the time Stewart graduated from UVA in 1995, he was honored for his outstanding commitment to school service and had completed over eight short films.

After taking a few weeks off for graduation, Stewart began his career as a creative writing teacher in the University School' s REACH summer enrichment program, which is geared towards African American middle school boys. Following his three week teaching stint with REACH, Stewart was accepted in the Ursuline College/University School Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP). Through TAP, Stewart earned a Master's degree and certification in Elementary Education. It was during this one year intensive program that he developed the curriculum for teaching youths, ranging in age from nine to 18, the art of film and video.

From the fall of 1996 through the spring of 1998, Stewart taught third grade at Mercer Elementary School in the Shaker Heights School District. While integrating film and video into his third grade curriculum, Stewart began his first after-school video class through the Cleveland Public Theatre. This class was designed to introduce inner city youths to the power of visual expression. In addition to teaching video at the Cleveland Public Theatre, David was also the primary cameraman for the CPT’s public access television show, CPtv.

In the fall of 1998, Stewart departed the Shaker School system to become the third director of the University School' s REACH program. Along with his work with REACH, Stewart taught two film and video classes at the University School. As of September 2000, Stewart accepted the position of Admissions Director for grades 9 through 12 at University School.

Besides teaching, Stewart has devoted a great deal of time to disc jockeying and filmmaking. The Karamu House has featured a number of his films. Three of Stewart ' s films: Crazy Amour, the Visit, and Love Noir were included in the Ohio Independent Film Festival. One of the three, Love Noir, received a nomination for Best of Ohio in 1998.

Stewart is a member of the Temple of Hip Hop and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity .He has served as a board member for the Antioch Credit Union, Early Childhood Enrichment Center, American Red Cross and the Great Lakes Theatre's Marketing Committee.

Stewart is a focused individual, who believes and works towards following his dream and supporting our youth. He lives by the motto "Be Strong."

In January 2000, Stewart started Velocity Productions Ltd. Velocity Productions is a small entertainment business that specializes in disc jockeying and videotaping special events. The company also owns the website HipHopBattle.com .

Presently, Stewart and his Velocity staff have just completed the feature length film, HipHopBattle.com: HipHop for Life. HipHop for Life is Cleveland's first digital film to be accompanied by a soundtrack and interactive website. This film premiered at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has been accepted to the Sundance Film Festival (2002), Acapulco Black Film Festival (2001), Hollywood Black Film Festival (2002) and Cleveland International Film Festival (2002).