Our Founder

Edmund “Umoja” Herman, known to many as Brother Umoja, is the founder of Umoja Communications Company International (UCCI), the Piton International Film Festival (PIFF Global & PIFF Africa), Sisters in Harmony (SIH), Speaking to Harmony (Blog Talk Radio Show), Umoja Communications Company Network (UCCN TV), and the web series Kadaga. UCCI began with its introduction into the world of media with Umoja Photo in 1991. Since its inception, Brother Umoja has had the honor of being the personal photographer for the Reverend Al Sharpton for 6-years and working with the late Johnny Cochran, Betty Shabazz, Coretta Scott King, and many others. Brother Umoja has also sought to capture the images of numerous historical, political, musical, and sporting events worldwide. 

Throughout the years, within his multi-media company, Brother Umoja has had the pleasure of interviewing and/or establishing working relationships with individuals from various media genres such as director Warrington Hudlin (Boomerang, House Party, etc.), actor Antonio Fargas (Starsky & Hutch, Foxy Brown, etc.), South African International Music Sensation Lira, the Commodores, the legendary Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, and many others. After years of networking and establishing ongoing relationships with film industry professionals, Brother Umoja began working with individuals and their film festivals. 

In 2014, UCCI launched the Piton Film Festival (PFF), in honor of the Piton Peaks in St. Lucia, the homeland of Brother Umoja. After the resounding global interest from filmmakers and producers of creative artworks (i.e., Features, documentaries, musicians, visual artists, authors, etc.) to have their works showcased at the festival, PFF was rebranded as the Piton International Film Festival (PIFF). Along with this rebranding, came a change in focus from being a competition to focusing on collaboration with a 12-month 

initiative to assist with global exposure, monetization, and education. PIFF is now actively working with and promoting hundreds of actors, singers, musicians, filmmakers, producers, directors, etc. from over 65 different countries around the world. 

Brother Umoja has been recognized by many for the work that he has done throughout the global community. For instance, Mr. Herman was inducted into the Hall of Fame within two martial arts communities. The New York City Black firefighters also awarded him for his work with them after the 9/11 attack in New York City.

As an active member of society and the global community at large, Mr. Herman enjoys networking, sports, traveling, and connecting with people across the globe to make this world a better place.