Canton Natives Tomeka Handy-Booten and Arius Nicholson Join Jackson Native Filmmakers and Producers Tamica Hudson and Tiffany Coleman-McGee and an All-Mississippi Cast in Bringing the Inspirational Drama to the Screen.
Mississippi talent is taking center stage in the inspirational faith-based drama Shield by His Grace, a Mississippi-made production featuring actors, filmmakers and creatives from across the state and now available for audiences to stream, including on Tubi and Apple TV.
While the film carries special connections to communities such as Canton and Jackson, Shield by His Grace represents something much larger: a collaborative Mississippi production demonstrating the depth of acting, filmmaking and creative talent found throughout the Magnolia State.
The film stars Jackson native Tiffany Coleman-McGee in the lead role of Tamar, a faith-filled woman whose desire for a relationship grounded in God's will leads her through love, marriage, heartbreak and an ultimate test of faith. Coleman-McGee also contributed behind the scenes as an assistant producer, playing a role in bringing the project from production to the screen.
Written and directed by Jackson native Tamica Hudson, Shield by His Grace follows Tamar as she meets Mark, a man who appears to embody the Godly partner for whom she has prayed. Their relationship progresses to marriage, but unexpected trials, secrets and broken trust challenge the foundation of their union. Through the turmoil, Tamar is forced to examine her faith and ultimately discovers that her true protection is not found in another person, but in the unwavering grace of God.
At its heart, Shield by His Grace explores faith, love, forgiveness, relationships, perseverance and spiritual resilience, while providing a platform for Mississippi performers and filmmakers to tell their own stories.
Arius Nicholson
A CAST ROOTED IN MISSISSIPPI
The production brought together an ensemble of Mississippi actors whose performances collectively tell the story of Shield by His Grace. The credited cast includes:
● Tiffany Coleman-McGee — Tamar, lead
● Kingi Lacy — Mark
● Johnny Forrest — Pastor Aaron Royce
● Tomeka Handy-Booten (credited as Tomeka Handy) — Tabitha, supporting role
● Marquetta Perkins — Pam
● Arius Endy Nicholson — Ray Lisa
● Shauna Fields — Jasmine
● Victoria Williams — Keisha
For Canton-area audiences, the film carries an especially meaningful hometown connection through Canton natives Tomeka Handy-Booten and Arius Nicholson.
Handy-Booten, who is credited in the film as Tomeka Handy, portrays Tabitha in a supporting role, while Nicholson portrays Ray Lisa. Both women contributed to an ensemble of Mississippi performers who worked collectively to bring the film's story to life.
Their participation gives Canton residents a direct hometown connection to a production that represents talent from communities throughout Mississippi.
While Canton can proudly celebrate its hometown talent, Shield by His Grace is ultimately a statewide Mississippi success story—one built through the combined efforts of its cast, filmmakers, producers and production professionals.
MISSISSIPPI TALENT IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE CAMERA
The Mississippi connection extends well beyond the actors audiences see on screen.
Tamica Hudson, a Jackson native, wrote and directed the film and served as executive producer. Tiffany Coleman-McGee, also a Jackson native, and Kingi Lacy served as assistant producers, while Corey Thomas served as co-producer.
The production credits also include Kevin "Kj3" Jones, who contributed music and served as co-cinematographer and co-editor, and Corey Thomas, who also served as director of photography and editor.
The film was produced through YaTouch Films.
The collaboration demonstrates what is possible when Mississippi writers, actors, producers, directors and production professionals combine their talents to create independent films capable of reaching audiences far beyond the state's borders.
"This project is special because it represents Mississippi," said Coleman-McGee. "There are so many talented actors, filmmakers and creatives throughout our state, and Shield by His Grace gave us an opportunity to come together and create something meaningful. Every person involved brought something important to this production, and I want audiences to recognize the collective work that went into bringing this story to the screen."
Coleman-McGee added that seeing the completed production reach streaming audiences makes the work invested in the project particularly meaningful.
"We worked hard on this film, and now we want Mississippi to support Mississippi," Coleman-McGee said. "When people stream Shield by His Grace, they are not simply watching a movie. They are supporting Mississippi actors, Mississippi creatives and independent
filmmaking coming out of our state."
FROM CANTON AND JACKSON TO STREAMING AUDIENCES
For Coleman-McGee, a Jackson native, portraying Tamar marked an important milestone in her work as an actress.
The film's streaming availability comes during another milestone year for Coleman-McGee. She recently received a Stellar Award at the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards in Charlotte, North Carolina, adding to her accomplishments as an entertainer and creative
professional. During Stellar Awards week, Coleman-McGee was also honored with the Tyscot Records Legacy Award, recognizing her contributions and impact within the gospel music industry.
Coleman-McGee's work spans music, television, film, literature and other areas of entertainment. In addition to her starring role in Shield by His Grace, she has appeared in television and film productions including FOX's Empire, OWN's Queen Sugar, Hulu's The First and Breaking News in Yuba County.
In Shield by His Grace, Coleman-McGee steps into the lead role of Tamar while simultaneously contributing to the production behind the scenes as an assistant producer.
The film also gives communities such as Canton an opportunity to celebrate their own contributors while recognizing the larger statewide collaboration that made the production possible.
"Canton should absolutely be proud to have hometown talent represented in this production," Coleman-McGee said. "Tomeka and Arius are part of a much larger Mississippi story. This movie belongs to all of the people who gave their time, talent and creativity to make it happen,
and we hope communities throughout the state will embrace it."
WATCH SHIELD BY HIS GRACE
Shield by His Grace is a faith-based drama released in 2025 and is now streaming on major digital platforms, including Tubi and Apple TV.
Mississippi audiences are encouraged to watch, stream and share Shield by His Grace and help spread the word about a production created through Mississippi talent.
Supporting Shield by His Grace means supporting Mississippi actors, filmmakers, producers and independent creatives while demonstrating that compelling stories can be developed and produced right here in the Magnolia State.
Film: Shield by His Grace
Genre: Faith-Based Drama
Writer/Director: Tamica Hudson
Lead Actress: Tiffany Coleman-McGee as Tamar
Executive Producer: Tamica Hudson
Assistant Producers: Tiffany Coleman-McGee and Kingi Lacy
Co-Producer: Corey Thomas
Production Company: YaTouch Films
Release: 2025
Streaming: Tubi, Apple TV and other available digital platforms
ABOUT SHIELD BY HIS GRACE
Shield by His Grace is an inspirational faith-based drama centered on Tamar, a woman determined to trust God's plan for her life and relationships. After meeting and marrying the man she believes to be the answer to her prayers, Tamar encounters revelations and challenges that test her marriage and her faith.
Through heartbreak and spiritual struggle, she discovers that her ultimate source of protection, strength and restoration is God's grace.
The Mississippi-made production brings together actors, filmmakers and production professionals from across the state and showcases the growing creative talent within Mississippi's independent film community.
From Canton to Jackson and communities across the Magnolia State, Shield by His Grace demonstrates the power of Mississippi creatives working together to tell meaningful stories and take those stories to audiences beyond the state's borders.
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