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Bike Vessel

Panelists & Filmmaker Bios

Panelists

Charles Daniel

Charles Daniel HeadShot with bikes

Charles Daniel, originally a Corporate Data Analyst from Baton Rouge, transformed his search for mental well-being into a vibrant business, Geaux Ride Glow In The Dark Wellness Boutique.

Discovering the joy and community spirit of cycling in New Orleans, he brought this passion back to Baton Rouge, launching Geaux Ride with just 10 bikes. Seven years in, his initiative has become a cornerstone in the community for mental health, exercise, and unique experiences.

Geaux Ride now introduces on-site glow-in-the-dark bicycle tours, expanding its reach and impact. Charles' vision extends beyond Baton Rouge, aiming to foster health and wellness through cycling nationwide, especially in underserved communities.

Dustin LaFont

Dustin LaFont Headshot

Dustin LaFont is the proud Executive Director of Front Yard Bikes, a youth workforce development program providing safe spaces for youth to learn bike mechanics, welding, urban gardening, cooking, riding safety, and providing after school jobs.

Dustin first began repairing bikes with a few kids on his front yard in the summer of 2010 but as demand grew the community rallied behind the project. Through the years, FYB has included over 3000 youth and even more bikes. With 3 after school sites and a full-service bike shop in Mid City, FYB has become the largest community bike shop in the SouthEast and hopes to do even more with the amazing youth that champion the good work.

Prior to FYB, Dustin attended LSU, where he attained a Bachelor’s degree in History and Masters in Teaching. He has been awarded the Baton Rouge Business Report 40 under 40, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Angel award, the Dorothy Richardson Award, he is a 2022 CNN Hero. and received the City Year Alunmi Leadership award in 2023.

Most importantly, he’s a father of three and credits his wife, community, and faith for all his success.

Dr. Rani G. Whitfield

Dr. Rani G. Whitfield Headshot

Dr. Rani G. Whitfield, a Board-Certified Family Physician with a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Sports medicine, is currently in private practice in his native Baton Rouge. A graduate of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Dr. Whitfield completed medical school training at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN; and completed his residency in Family Medicine at Franciscan Medical Center in Dayton, OH. He earned his CAQ in Sports Medicine from Ohio State University.

He is a National Spokesperson for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, earning the ASA Southeastern Affiliates Service Award and the American Stroke Association Legacy Award. His awards include: Time Warner Power Forward Award, YMCA Black Achievers Award, The American Stroke Association National Ambassador Award, the NAACP Freedom Award, Baton Rouge’s Top 40 people under 40, the American Stroke Association Southeastern Affiliates Service Award, the American Stroke Association Legacy Award, The American Academy of Family Physicians Public Health Award, and LPB’s President's Award.

Dr. Whitfield was appointed to Governor John Bel Edwards’ Louisiana Health Equity Task Force to address health disparities impacting African Americans during the covid pandemic. He just published his first children’s book, RJ Did It!, an exploration of the parenting journey, spotlighting milestones achieved by a spirited young boy (his son) nicknamed RJ. Dr. Whitfield is known as Tha Hip Hop Doc as he uses music and medicine to help educate the community on health and wellness. He and his wife Kiara have two beautiful children.

Moderator

Robyn Merrick, Ph. D

Robyn Merrick Headshot 2023

Robyn Merrick is Vice President for External Affairs and University Relations for the Southern University and A&M College System in Baton Rouge where she provides oversight to the areas of Communications, Government Relations, Special Events and the Southern University Museum of Art. At Southern, Robyn was previously Chief of Staff and served as Director of Alumni Affairs and Executive Director of the Southern University Alumni Federation where she provided leadership for the University’s 90,000 alumni. Also, at Southern, Robyn is host of the University’s weekly radio show, Inside the Southern University System, and is the former co-editor of the Southern University System Magazine.

Robyn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, a Masters in Public Administration and a doctorate in Public Policy. She has conducted and published research in the areas of women’s studies and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

In addition, Robyn has served on numerous boards and as chair of several boards -- Girl Scouts Louisiana-East, the Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting, WRKF Public Radio, Volunteers in Public Schools. She currently serves on the board of directors for Volunteers in Public Schools, Visit Baton Rouge, the Foundation for the East Baton Rouge School System, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, and the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

Robyn is committed to public service and volunteerism with more than 35 years of experience working with religious, civic, and nonprofit organizations including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated.

Filmmakers

Eric D. Seals

Eric D. Seals Headshot

Eric D. Seals is a seasoned director and cinematographer with over 10 years of experience since starting his career at ESPN. He's a Diverse Voices in Docs fellow with Kartemquin and a Netflix directing and producing fellow. Eric teaches production at DePaul University and heads Digifé, a company focusing on documentaries and social impact stories.

Donnie Seals, Jr.

Donnie Seals Jr., an editor at Digital Cafe, found his passion for documentary filmmaking after watching Hoop Dreams. He was the editor for Freedom Hill, which is streaming on World Channel. He's currently directing The Gospel of Lou Della, the story of gospel music and one of its prominent change-makers on the South Side of Chicago.

Resita Cox

Resita Cox Headshot

Resita Cox is an Emmy Award-winning director. In 2023, she won a Regional Emmy for directing Firsthand: Life After Prison. Her film Freedom Hill tackles environmental racism. Resita was a 2021 Hulu/Kartemquin Accelerator Fellow, holds an MFA from Northwestern University, and was named a 2022 Esteemed Artist by the City of Chicago.

Main Character

Donnie Seals, Sr.

Donnie Seals Sr Headshot

Twenty years after Donnie Seals Sr. went through a medical crisis, he makes a miraculous health recovery after discovering his love for bicycling. Approaching the age at which his father underwent surgery and facing similar health conditions, Director Eric D. Seals proposes an ambitious idea to his father: bike together from St. Louis to Chicago—350 miles in 4 days.