Crystal Emery, the Producer/Director of this film, is also the Executive Director of the 501c(3) organization, URU, The Right to Be, Inc (URU), an education through the arts company whose goal is to develop artistic projects with two purposes in mind: to uplift and encourage positive perspectives of ethnic groups, women and persons with disabilities; and to heighten consciousness around ideas and social issues affecting the community.

In addition to being a filmmaker, Crystal is a published author of the children's book series, Little Man. Crystal is a parent, a wife and a graduate student in Media Studies. Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine is her second feature length documentary film.

Who knows what image, what words, what experiences can cause a child to be inspired to seek after their dream? For me, it happened when I was 7 years old and I watched For Love of Ivy by Sidney Poitier. This film not only inspired me to want to be a filmmaker but it started me on a journey that lead to working under some of the most talented people in film. I have been blessed to travel the world despite a debilitating form of muscular dystrophy and blessed to producing and directing my second feature length documentary film, Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine.

Watching that film when I was seven planted the seed that grew me into the person I am today. Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine is a documentary film that has this same power. The women, the images, the words, the stories—this film has the power to change the lives of countless youth who need a voice and a vision to help them see how bright their own futures are.

I acknowledge the vision for this film came from God. I had no plans of making a film like this. It was not on my radar. However, I am blessed and thankful to have the honor of telling these stories and inspiring a new generation of doctors.