FROM PILOT TO TV SERIES

WKYC Channel 3 Cleveland

Northeast Ohio has overcome obstacles to achieve success and so have individuals in our community.We are excited to partner with WKYC to share these stories of perseverance for the new TV series, Rising.

Purple Films, Cleveland Ohio

The Bishop's

Episode 1 / Pilot

DeNica Bishop thought she had the power to create a life full of perfect moments. She married her college sweetheart Kenan. Their first kiss...minutes after saying I-do. They settled in Akron and had a beautiful and healthy baby girl.A few years later...They brought home Morgan Riley Bishop another gorgeous daughter, but Morgan was different. She would be the one to teach her parents how to face trials and rise.

Danielle Wiggins, WKYC

Robert Ziol

Episode 2

Taking a step, going for a run, many of us take our mobility for granted. Not Rob Ziol of Medina, You see, for most of his life, Rob believed he was a man made up of broken pieces and leftover parts. But that all changed when Rob learned to connect with the word "run.

Danielle Wiggins, WKYC

Ricky Smith

Episode 3

"Life is a journey, for some the route is carved out for them to follow, like a GPS. Others wander around not really knowing which path to follow. Ricky Smith is a hybrid of the two. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, He's the face of a national McDonald's ad, and founder of the nonprofit Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere. But what many people don't know is that the path to Ricky's destination all started when he lost everything, and learned to rise from the ashes"

Danielle Wiggins, WKYC

Mark Kalina Jr

Episode 4

I remember being on the phone with 911, just thinking I'm not going to make it out of this situation, and then to wake up the next day and I look down and all I'm missing is some legs. I was lucky to be alive, and I wanted to do something with it

Mark Kalina Jr, Mark Kalina Jr Foundation

DeJuan Kelker

Episode 5

The congregation at Burning Bush Church is young, dynamic, and engaged in the inner-city community. The force behind it all, DeJuan Kelker. But people aren't drawn to this pastor because of his sermons or his beautiful church. They're actually drawn to him because of his background.

Danielle Wiggins, WKYC

Nathan Mumford

Episode 6

Cancer. An ugly word, an ugly disease. It has stolen so much from so many people, but Cleveland Heights native Nathan Mumford is in the business of restoring hope and giving light to those walking down Cancer's dark path. His Motivation? His Past.

Danielle Wiggins, WKYC

Katie Burns

Episode 7

"It's just comforting being able to speak with someone that knows what you're going through, that understands it, and can communicate on those terms."

Kevin Burns, Forever My Baby You'll Be

LaTasha Watts

Episode 8

I’m Not Broken Just a Little Twisted

Latasha Watts, Child Advocate / Author

Margo Hudson

Episode 9

"With determination and perseverance you can do it!"

Margo Hudson, Rising Star

Amy Belles

Episode 10

I'm not trying to change my son, I don't want to change him. He's beautiful, he's amazing, and he's the most unique person I've ever met! I want to embrace who he is and what he is.

Amy Belles, Carson's Mom

Demarco Sleeper

Episode 11

"If I let it defeat me than I feel like I didn't succeed"

Demarco Sleeper, Profesional Dancer

Dani Pajak

Episode 12

"I quit drinking because I wanted to be a father to my daughter, I wanted to be a son to my parents, and the path that I've taken has been absolutely amazing!"

Dani Pajak, Owner - Disowned Customs

Allison Clarke

Episode 13

“You know if you have means or you have talent, you have an obligation to do something with it,”

Allison Clarke, Flashes of Hope

Malieke Graham

Episode 15

"I knew what I wanted, I knew what I wanted to do, So I went for it"

Malieke Graham, Garfield Hts. Sophomore

Stephanie Nunn

Episode 16

"I've taken that creativity and I had the opportunity to do other things that inspire myself, inspire other people and encourage people who may have some challenges."

Stephanie Nunn, Fashion Designer

Corwyn Collier

Episode 17

"It's not just about me, I think that's why I served, that is why I teach that there is more than one option to get to the next level if you want to, and you can be successful no matter what situation you came out of."

Corwyn Collier, Teacher/Veteran

Wendy Komac

Episode 18

"All the mistakes that I made all totaled up to be the culmination of this beautiful facility that gets to save lives, How cool is that?"

Wendy Komac, CEO of Luna Living