Patrik-Ian Polk

Patrik-Ian Polk, a 1994 USM graduate, gained experience in television and film early in his career as a producer’s assistant.  Later he became a development executive for MTV films and vice president of production and development at Edmonds Entertainment/e2 Film Works, where he worked on the popular films “Soul Food” and “Light It Up.”  Mr. Polk wrote, produced and made his directorial debut with the independent feature film “Punks,” which premiered at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.  In 2006, he created the hit series, “Noah’s Arc” for the cable network Logo, which became the network’s highest rated program shortly after its premier.  At the time of his 2008 induction into the MCJ Hall of Fame, Mr. Polk was about to take his popular series to the big screen with the film “Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom.”  He was also preparing to film his next project, “Blackbird,” in Hattiesburg, his hometown.