Forrest Tuff is a visionary leader, humanitarian, business coach, author, producer and empowerment speaker. He has successfully launched 3 startups from idea to profitability. He is Chief Executive Officer of One Vision Productions, an award-winning, multimedia agency that specializes in corporate and government video production, photography, drone services and graphic design. It is a recipient of the BBB Torch Award for Customer Service and named one of Atlanta's "Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" (2015-2018).
Tuff has been featured in Atlanta Business Journal, Black Enterprise, Business Leader, CORP! Magazine, Minority Biz, Voyage ATL and Who's Who in Black Atlanta. He has been recognized with the Int'l Entertainment Trailblazer and GA Minority Business Awards.
An advocate for servant leadership, Tuff is a pro bono certified business mentor with SCORE, Business and Industry Advisory Council Member for Paul Duke STEM High School and Ambassador for the American Heart Association. He received a Leadership Certificate from BoardSource and is a United Way VIP Alumnus. With a desire to impact the community, he created a Pay It Forward initiative, which is annually donated to a nonprofit organization.
In addition, Tuff was a 2018 nominee for the esteemed Turknett Leadership Character “Inspiritor” Award in partnership with the Robert C. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. He has been honored with the U.S. Attorney's Office - Community Outreach Award, Corporation for National and Community Service - Martin Luther King Drum Major for Service Award, and President's Volunteer Service Award (Gold Level).
On the creative side, Tuff is an accomplished author and producer. His children's book, Things I Like 3-D, has been used in the DeKalb County school system. Published by his company Happy Hopes Books, using the pen name Horrace Forrest, Tuff has been Author of the Month at Kindercare Learning Center, Featured Author at the Decatur Book Festival and finalist for the Georgia Author of the Year Award.
Tuff has achieved success in media, film, theatre and television. He has independently produced and directed award-winning content in comedy, entertainment and faith-based programming. He directed the cult classic music video "Swag Surfin" which played at the White House and inspired A-List celebrities such as Beyonce and Chris Brown. The music video aired on MTV and has 50 million+ online views worldwide.
He also produced "The Mission", a Broadway styled musical play which premiered at the former 14th Street Playhouse (SCADShow) to a standing-room-only crowd. Coining himself a filmpreneur, Tuff has 100+ movie credits to his name - from a major motion picture with 20th Century Fox, to Indie films and a documentary with the U.S. Department of Justice entitled, "Released." The documentary, featuring Governor Nathan Deal, received a $15,000 donation from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation towards screenings in GA.
An empowerment speaker, Tuff shares his life experiences with the hope of motivating others to pursue their dreams. He connects to audiences by engaging them with his enthusiasm and transparency. He has received the prestigious Triple Crown Pin Award from Toastmasters International and was voted in 2018 among the "Top 100 Transformational Leaders" by the John Maxwell Team.
He is a member of the American Screenwriters Association, Broadcast Music Inc., Drone Pilots Association, Filmmakers Alliance, Toastmasters Club 833, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Southeast chapter and Tucker Business & Civic Associations.
Tuff is a former college basketball player at Western Carolina University (NCAA Division I) and Gordon College. In 2012, he was inducted into Gordon's Inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, golf, and traveling.