Tracey Edmonds
Encyclopedia
Tracey Edmonds is the CEO of Edmonds Entertainment Group Inc and COO of Our Stories Films.
with a degree in Psychobiology in 1987.
, she went into the real estate business with her mother. Edmonds made her formal entry into the entertainment industry in 1993, with the creation of Edmonds Entertainment Group. Edmonds Entertainment went on to make the film Soul Food
, which earned five NAACP Image Awards. Additionally, the LaFace soundtrack for the movie, of which Edmonds served as Soundtrack Executive Producer, was a multi-platinum bestseller. Edmonds developed and produced Light It Up
for Fox 2000 in 1999.
After that she formed e2 filmworks. Edmonds produced two independent films under this banner: Hav Plenty
, which was released by Miramax in 1998 - on which she again served as Soundtrack Executive Producer; and PUNKS, which was released through Urbanworld Films in 2001.
In addition to film, Edmonds executive produced the reality show College Hill, the first African American reality program on BET. The show debuted in January 2004 and set a network record as ‘BET’s highest rated series premiere in the network’s 25-year history’. In addition, the spinoff series College Hill Interns, shot in Chicago in the Summer, debuted October 2007.
Edmonds also produced the series Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, as well as DMX: Soul of a Man
—both airing on BET in 2006 and setting new ratings benchmarks for the network. Also noteworthy was her 2007 TV One production David E. Talbert
presents Stage Black, starring David E. Talbert and Blair Underwood
. This eight-episode competition show was the recent recipient of a NAMIC
nomination for Best Reality Series.
In the scripted arena, Edmonds produced the serialized version of the movie Soul Food, an hour-long dramedy for Showtime, which ran for five seasons and won multiple NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series three years in a row.
Edmonds exchanged marriage vows with film star Eddie Murphy
on January 1, 2008, in a private ceremony on an island off Bora Bora
. On January 16, the couple released a statement saying, "After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further," and called the Bora Bora wedding a "symbolic union". The two had planned on having a legal ceremony upon their return to the U.S. but did not, and their wedding was never official.
Education
Edmonds graduated from Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
with a degree in Psychobiology in 1987.
Career
After graduating from Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, she went into the real estate business with her mother. Edmonds made her formal entry into the entertainment industry in 1993, with the creation of Edmonds Entertainment Group. Edmonds Entertainment went on to make the film Soul Food
Soul Food (film)
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
, which earned five NAACP Image Awards. Additionally, the LaFace soundtrack for the movie, of which Edmonds served as Soundtrack Executive Producer, was a multi-platinum bestseller. Edmonds developed and produced Light It Up
Light It Up (film)
Light It Up is a 1999 American drama film starring an ensemble cast that consists of R&B singer/actor Usher Raymond , Rosario Dawson, Forest Whitaker, and Vanessa L. Williams. The film was written and directed by Craig Bolotin, and produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and his wife Tracy Edmonds...
for Fox 2000 in 1999.
After that she formed e2 filmworks. Edmonds produced two independent films under this banner: Hav Plenty
Hav Plenty
Hav Plenty is a 1997 American independent film released by Miramax Films, based on an eventful weekend in the life of Lee Plenty , written and directed by Cherot...
, which was released by Miramax in 1998 - on which she again served as Soundtrack Executive Producer; and PUNKS, which was released through Urbanworld Films in 2001.
In addition to film, Edmonds executive produced the reality show College Hill, the first African American reality program on BET. The show debuted in January 2004 and set a network record as ‘BET’s highest rated series premiere in the network’s 25-year history’. In addition, the spinoff series College Hill Interns, shot in Chicago in the Summer, debuted October 2007.
Edmonds also produced the series Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, as well as DMX: Soul of a Man
DMX: Soul of a Man
DMX: Soul of a Man was a reality television series that recorded the daily life of Black American rapper DMX, primarily aired on Black Entertainment Television ....
—both airing on BET in 2006 and setting new ratings benchmarks for the network. Also noteworthy was her 2007 TV One production David E. Talbert
David E. Talbert
David E. Talbert is an American playwright.. Talbert is a graduate of Morgan State University and attended the New York University film program....
presents Stage Black, starring David E. Talbert and Blair Underwood
Blair Underwood
Blair Underwood is an American television and film actor. He is perhaps best known as headstrong attorney Jonathan Rollins from the NBC legal drama L.A. Law, a role he portrayed for seven years. He has gained critical acclaim throughout his career, receiving numerous Golden Globe Award...
. This eight-episode competition show was the recent recipient of a NAMIC
NAMIC
NAMIC is a 5-letter acronym that may mean:* National Association of Minorities in Cable* National Association of Minorities in Communications* National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications...
nomination for Best Reality Series.
In the scripted arena, Edmonds produced the serialized version of the movie Soul Food, an hour-long dramedy for Showtime, which ran for five seasons and won multiple NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series three years in a row.
Awards and honors
Edmonds has won numerous awards, including Turner Broadcasting System’s Tower of Power Award (2000), The Ebony Magazine Outstanding Women In Marketing & Communications Entrepreneur Award (2002), an award from Girls, Inc. Additionally, she was awarded an honorary doctorate in Business from Southern University (2004), the National Organization for Women’s Excellence in Media Award (2005), and The Caucus for Television Producers, Writers and Directors Diversity Award (2006).Service and charity work
Edmonds serves on the Board of Governors for the Producers Guild of America (PGA). She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the American Film Institute (AFI), on the Executive Committee for NAACP, and on the Board of Directors for Children Uniting Nations (CUN).Personal life
Edmonds met Babyface in 1990 when she auditioned for the music video "Whip Appeal." The two married on September 5, 1992 and they have two sons, Brandon and Dylan. On January 7, 2005, she filed for divorce in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences .Edmonds exchanged marriage vows with film star Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
on January 1, 2008, in a private ceremony on an island off Bora Bora
Bora Bora
The commune of Bora-Bora is made up of the island of Bora Bora proper with its surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef, 29.3 km² in total, and of the atoll of Tupai , located north of Bora Bora...
. On January 16, the couple released a statement saying, "After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further," and called the Bora Bora wedding a "symbolic union". The two had planned on having a legal ceremony upon their return to the U.S. but did not, and their wedding was never official.
Filmography (producer)
- Soul FoodSoul Food (film)Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
(1997) - Hav PlentyHav PlentyHav Plenty is a 1997 American independent film released by Miramax Films, based on an eventful weekend in the life of Lee Plenty , written and directed by Cherot...
(1997) (executive producer) - Light It UpLight It Up (film)Light It Up is a 1999 American drama film starring an ensemble cast that consists of R&B singer/actor Usher Raymond , Rosario Dawson, Forest Whitaker, and Vanessa L. Williams. The film was written and directed by Craig Bolotin, and produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and his wife Tracy Edmonds...
(1999) - Punks (2000)
- Soul Food: The SeriesSoul Food: The SeriesSoul Food: The Series is a television drama that aired Wednesday nights on Showtime from June 28, 2000 to May 26, 2004. Created by filmmaker George Tillman, Jr. and developed for television by Felicia D. Henderson, Soul Food is based upon Tillman's childhood experiences growing up in Wisconsin, and...
(2000–2004) (executive producer) - Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
- Maniac Magee (2003) (TV) (executive producer)
- College Hill (2004) TV Series (executive producer)
- Robbin Hoodz (2006) (announced) (executive producer)
- Lil Kim: Countdown to LockdownLil Kim: Countdown to LockdownCountdown To Lockdown is a reality television series which premiered on March 9, 2006 on BET. The show followed Lil' Kim's last 14 days of freedom before she entered the Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a 366 day sentence...
(2006) TV Series (executive producer) - DMX: Soul Of A ManDMX: Soul of a ManDMX: Soul of a Man was a reality television series that recorded the daily life of Black American rapper DMX, primarily aired on Black Entertainment Television ....
(2006) - Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is (2006–Present)
- Good Luck ChuckGood Luck ChuckGood Luck Chuck is a 2007 romantic comedy film starring Dane Cook and Jessica Alba. In the film, women find their "one true love" after having sex with a dentist named Chuck...
(2007) - Who's Your Caddy?Who's Your Caddy?Who's Your Caddy? is a 2007 comedy film directed by Don Michael Paul, and starring Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Andy Milonakis, Faizon Love, Terry Crews, Tony Cox, Jeffrey Jones, and Jesper Parnevik. It is the first film produced by Robert L. Johnson's Our Stories Films studio...
(2007) - New in Town (2009)
- Jumping the BroomJumping the BroomJumping the Broom is a 2011 American comedy film directed by Salim Akil and produced by Tracey E. Edmonds, Elizabeth Hunter, T.D. Jakes, Glendon Palmer, and Curtis Wallace....
(2011)