Two Nations Production Team
Screenwriter/Producer/Published Author, Casting Director , Songwriter
Ruby Lee Thigpen Whitehurst is a storyteller whose work is deeply rooted in heritage, memory, and community. Inspired by her family’s oral histories, she created Two Nations to reclaim and honor the erased narratives of Africans, Native Americans, and colonists in early America. Ruby lives on a 20-acre farm in North Carolina, where much of the film will be staged and produced. Her commitment to cultural authenticity and community partnerships, including collaboration with the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, ensures that Two Nations will be both historically resonant and socially impactful.
Director, Actor, Casting Assistant
He is a screenwriter and director whose credits include Stolen Breath and Otis, films that reflect his gift for blending powerful human stories with cinematic vision. With a background in writing and directing independent projects, Mark brings narrative discipline, visual creativity, and a commitment to authentic representation. His work consistently highlights untold stories and marginalized voices, making him a natural partner in bringing Two Nations to the big screen.
Mark Ridley
Co-Executive Producer, Promotional Partner, Actress, Entrepreneur
She is known as the “Actress for the People” and is the founder and creative architect of Riki’s World, home of Butterfly Theratainment™, where she uses acting, character, and story as creative medicine for the human spirit. Her performance in the Oscar-qualified short film On the Line earned her a Best Actress award, and she is also known as the original foundational lead actress of the viral digital television series Dhar Mann, where her signature raw, emotionally resonant performance style gained widespread recognition, moved millions worldwide, and helped establish the series’ emotional heartbeat at the launch of its cinematic storytelling.
With Two Nations, Riki contributes both on screen and behind the scenes, helping lead its investor-facing development, strategic relationships, creative promotion, and public engagement. Drawing upon her entertainment experience, professional network, digital platform, and technical insight, Riki helps connect Two Nations with people and opportunities aligned with its artistic, cultural, financial, and community-impact goals—while preserving the humanity at the heart of both the story and its production.
Riki Yvette Westmoreland
Two Nations Casting Director, Actor, Model , Artist, Writer
He is a Native American Apache actor and writer known for his striking presence, hazel eyes, and powerful connection to Native storytelling. Proud of his Apache heritage, he brings authenticity, strength, and heart to every role he takes on, while also helping create stories that honor culture, history, and resilience. As an actor, he has been involved in film and television projects including Star Trek, The King of Queens, Into the Wild Frontier, The Night They Came Home, Wild West Chronicles, Land, and Rufus Buck. His work reflects both versatility and depth, allowing him to move between dramatic, historical, and character-driven roles. Tommy is also a writer for Six Pockets, where he helps shape a story rooted in Native identity, survival, and strength. His passion for storytelling goes beyond acting, as he is committed to bringing meaningful Native American stories to the screen with honesty and purpose. With his unforgettable look, natural talent, and dedication to representation, Tommy Wolfe continues to make his mark as a Native American Apache actor and writer whose work stands for legacy, truth, and powerful storytelling.
Tommy Wolfe,
Chiricahua/Lipan Apache
Two Nations Professional Makeup Artist
She was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a film writer, FX makeup artist, comic book artist, and music composer who has continued creating through difficult circumstances. She worked as the FX makeup artist and score writer for Illusory (2024), composed music for the short film Three Times A Week (2025), and created music for the trailers of El Soldado and El Travieso.
Monte Muzak-Salgado
Associate Producer, Casting Assistant, Actress, Entrepreneur
She is an American indie film and television actress, associate producer, and costumer who transitioned her career from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Over a multi-decade career in the entertainment industry, she has built a versatile resume spanning major network television dramas, independent feature films, and regional theater.
Career Highlights & Credits
All That She Knew (2025): Portrayed the character Sabrina in this Peachanda DuBose dramatic series.
Churchy (2024): Appeared as a Security Guard in the comedy-drama TV series on BET Plus.
Chicago Fire: Formed part of her background working in the Chicago television landscape.
The Mob Doctor (2012): Cast as a Doctor in the Fox medical crime drama series.
Break Up in Love (2022): Served as an associate producer for the romantic short film directed by McLyte.
Stage Production:
Played the character Ester in the stage play Why Are You SINgle? directed by Sonia Everett.
Jasmine Delaney
Two Nations Public Relations Representative/Casting Assistant, Actress
She is Two Nations Public Relations Representative and Casting Assistant plus she will help Two Nations in any way that she can.
Sandra Salazar Salgado
Executive Strategy & Media film consultant , Actress, Casting Assistant.
She is an Independent Film Artist, Founder of North Carolina Indian & South Asian Film Fest, Founder of Franklin Flicks Film Fest, Co-Founder of Wake Forest Film Festival, Supporting Actress of He Too, Documentarian/Producer/Presenter of Welcome to North Carolina Documentary and Screenplay Writer of YADVI-The Dignified Princess.
An example of her work:
Sarees Across America by Gauri Singh & Jyoti Singh - 4 min music Film
is an original song & concept written by Gauri Singh for adding country rock music by Gabi Gotts, it celebrates the timeless elegance of the saree as the two sisters journey across diverse landscapes and cultures in the United States posing at each state sign, signifying the presence of this fashion in each state of the United States. The song is also showcased as part of the Award Winning Short Documentary film, Sarees Across America, which had it's New York Premier, May 30, 2025 at the People's film festival, Maysles Cinema, New York, NY.
Guari Singh
African Language Dialect Coach
She is a musician, singer, and song writer that is fluent in the African language used in our Two Nations Film.
TJ Way
Casting Assistants, Actors, Entrepreneurs
Dakota & Victoria Dieumegard
Casting Assistant, Actress, Songwriter, Veteran (Air Force, rank of Master Sergeant).
Rhoda Houston,
We Thank You For Your Service
Two Nations Acting Coach
She is also a producer, writer, and actress. She has appeared in films shown on Tubi, TLC, HBO, Peacocck, and TVone.
Coach Sharon Brown
Two Nations Team
Two Nations Production Assistant, Actor, Dancer
Danny Osorio
Two Nations Team
Two Nations Office Production Assistant, Actress
Yolanda Ellerbe Browne
Ruby Lee
Exuberant Ruby Lee
Ruby Lee Thigpen Whitehurst is a published author as well as the Producer and Writer-Screenwriter of Two Nations, which is based on her book "Loves' Soft Voice," and she will appear in the film. She is the author of numerous books that are filed with the Library of Congress such as the following:
Loves Soft Voice.
Pine Needles.
Pine Tree Legends.
Chilling Adventures at Camp Flowing Water.
Together They Danced.
I Can.
The Beauty of ABCs.
Alana Achievers Are Believers.
Two Nations (screenplay).
Ruby is the writer and author of 45 songs that are copyright and filed with the Library of Congress and ASCAP. She copyright and filed each song /poem between 2002 and 2010. They are as follows:
360 Degrees
All That He Had
Ancestors
Ancient Voices
Awakened
Beauty
Being A Rancher's Woman.
Best Friend.
Black Eagle Soars
Creation
Destiny.
Family Tree
Foretold
Free Spirit.
Free Union
Grandfather Sun
Grandmother Moon.
I Can
Legends
Medicine Dreams
My Prayer
Nature's Prize
Our Greatest Teachers
Piney Woods Roots
Piney Woods Tree
Rainbow Spirit Dancer
Respect Mother Earth.
River Medicine.
Sacred Place.
Sister Turtle.
Spirit Beings.
Spirit of Sister Eagle.
Strings Attached.
The Journey.
Together They Danced.
Together We Stand.
Unity Plea.
When The Angels Come.
When will Humanity Understand?
Within Myself.
Richness.
Freedom.
Loves' Soft Voice.
Healing.
Two Nations Introduction.
Ruby founded a non-profit organization that she named Descendants of Indigenous People (DIP), which she chartered in 1994. On behalf of this organization, she raised money to help fund a local soup kitchen, created activities for community children such as taking them on trips to state parks, museums, nature reserves and hosting cookouts using her own money. Ruby also gave small scholarships to local high school seniors to help with school supplies.
In 1997, Ruby graduated from Martin Community College with an AAS Degree in Business Administration and full honors. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Beta Gamma. She served as a Marshall two years in a row at Martin Community College.
In November 2000, Ruby incorporated and chartered the Mattamuskeet Indian Coalition to help the people of her community become aware of their Native American heritage.
In 2005, Ruby organized and hosted an outdoor concert to raise awareness regarding domestic violence wherein she invited Mr. Milton Bullock to MC the event. Mr. Bullock is one of the original members of the singing group called The Platters.
In 2010, Ruby decided to write a screenplay titled Two Nations that is based on her book Loves Soft Voice. She filed the script with the Writers Guild of America and the Library of Congress.
In 2014, Ruby joined the American Society of Composers, Authors & Producers (ASCAP) because she wrote a book of poems called Songs for Two Nations. She then asked numerous recording artist to add vocals and music to her poems to make the Two Nations soundtrack for the film.
In 2014, Ruby also attended a Film School workshop with Dov S-S Simens to learn about filmmaking.
In 2015, Ruby incorporated U5 Films LLC as a screenplay writing company because she plans to turn more of her books into feature films.
In 2016, Ruby became a member of NIAA (Northeast Indigenous Arts Alliance).
NIAA offers many amazing grant, fellowship, and networking opportunities for Native American Artist.
Ruby is a kind, humble, modest, down-to-earth person. She loves diversity and meeting new people. Additionally, she loves history, travel, writing, reading especially ghost stories, animals, the great outdoors, collecting antiques and vintage items, collecting artifacts and crafts, fishing, and working towards making all her dreams come tr