Robert W. Gay is a creative force whose life and work are shaped by rhythm, resilience, and revolutionary storytelling. As the Co-founder and Creative Director of Ibis River Studios Inc., Robert has built a dynamic career in documentary filmmaking, broadcast media, and visual activism—where legacy, innovation, and cultural truth converge.

Raised in Queens, NY during the rise of Hip Hop, Robert was deeply influenced by the era’s sound, style, and seismic cultural shift. Summers spent in Puerto Rico deepened his connection to Afro-Caribbean traditions, music, and community. This cultural fusion gave Robert a rich visual language and a profound respect for storytelling as a vehicle for both survival and transformation.

Creativity runs in his blood. His grandfather, Rafael Viera, was a celebrated producer with Fania Records—an essential voice in the golden age of Salsa. Back in New York, his father, Fernando Báez, owned A-1 Film Lab in Hell’s Kitchen, where Robert managed the lab for over a decade. It was here that he was surrounded by the brilliance of filmmakers whose work shaped American culture— like Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It, Do the Right Thing, and Mo’ Better Blues. Equally influential was the entire body of work by Ken Burns—from Jazz to The Civil War, Baseball, The Roosevelts, The Vietnam War, and beyond— all developed through A-1 Film Lab, each leaving an indelible mark on Robert’s sense of history, style, and purpose.

This immersive environment sparked Robert’s passion for visual storytelling and led to a career that merged the power of narrative with a commitment to cultural preservation. Robert’s editorial journey includes a notable period at A&E, where he sharpened his technical mastery and further refined his documentary voice. He also collaborated with Jon Marc Sandifer, VP of Programming at BET, producing and editing interviews with cultural titans such as Jay-Z, Misty Copeland, Sting, Russell Simmons, and Chuck D. These interviews were more than segments—they were moments of cultural reflection, captured with precision and reverence.

Today, as Creative Director of Ibis River Studios, Robert leads a powerhouse creative team alongside his wife and co-founder, Johanna—a visionary filmmaker, editor, and producer. Together, they’ve crafted impactful work featuring legends such as Dr. Maya Angelou, Louie Vega, Roy Ayers, Mary J. Blige, Bebe Winans, Emmai Alaquiva, and Bill Moyers. Robert’s award-winning content has aired on major platforms including NBC, PBS, Viacom, and A&E.

His unwavering dedication to culturally rooted, socially conscious media has positioned Ibis River Studios (and previously Tehuti Films) as a trusted production house for stories that demand to be told— especially those too often overlooked or misrepresented.

Robert W. Gay is more than a filmmaker—he’s a cultural steward, guiding narrative, memory, and vision into frame. He tells the stories that move people, shape communities, and awaken history.