AJ Lovewins is a filmmaker, homeless advocate, social activist, and public speaker. His passion for photography was inspired by the work of photographers he as a child saw in the pages of National Geographic and Life Magazine.

After a youth marked by troubled family, mental illness and addiction, AJ briefly found stability with a foster family. shortly thereafter he dropped out of high school, and ventured to Hollywood with dreams of acting, later exploring stand-up comedy and screenwriting.

In 2001, AJ achieved a breakthrough when an original screenplay he co wrote "The Bang Bang Club" was sold; it was subsequently produced in 2008 starring Ryan Phillippe.

Around that time, AJ's life took a tumultuous turn as addiction led him into homelessness and methamphetamine use in San Francisco's Tenderloin District. Despite his hardships, AJ managed to reclaim his life, entering into recovery, and spending the next ten years studying transformational education, eventually becoming a certified counselor.

In 2005, AJ founded his first nonprofit, Harmonic Humanity, in service to the homeless, which later earned the support of Grammy Award winning musicians. Parallel to his early charitable work, AJ established his production company, Light Venture Films.

Since that time Light Venture Films has produced branded content for Fortune 1000 companies globally, partnering with thought leaders in Silicon Valley in the innovation and disruption space.

Recently, AJ is focused on producing film and television projects, including "Our People Rise," while investing his time developing Our People Rise non profit with other movement makers and communities across the US.

AJ continues to follow his hearts calling to pay it forward, while continuing to transform his life from the lasting challenges he has found on his life path.

"Our People Rise" embodies AJ's dedication to contributing to a better world, through a movement aimed at fostering resilience in individuals and communities across the Nation.