STATE OF BLACK HOLLYWOOD
PART 1: NURTURING OUR LEGACY
JULIANA BOLDEN (MODERATOR)
Digital media executive and entertainment journalist Juliana J. Bolden leads the creation of video, written and still photo content for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, home of the Primetime Emmy® Awards. Bolden's teams deliver multi-platform red carpet coverage, exclusive behind-the-scenes feature packages for award-winning Emmy® magazine and more video content to broadcast outlets such as Access Hollywood and E! News as well as web channels.
Bolden played a key role in the launch of the Television Academy’s very first consumer site, Emmys.com, in 2009 and she established the Emmy Publications video/film production arm that same year – wowing viewers with rare, candid, behind-the-scenes moments with such stars as Jon Cryer of Two and a Half Men; Breaking Bad faves Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul; Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara and the entire Modern Family ensemble; the beloved Loretta Devine of Grey's Anatomy; Jon Stewart; Justin Timberlake, and more celebs.
Bolden played a key role in the launch of the Television Academy’s very first consumer site, Emmys.com, in 2009 and she established the Emmy Publications video/film production arm that same year – wowing viewers with rare, candid, behind-the-scenes moments with such stars as Jon Cryer of Two and a Half Men; Breaking Bad faves Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul; Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara and the entire Modern Family ensemble; the beloved Loretta Devine of Grey's Anatomy; Jon Stewart; Justin Timberlake, and more celebs.
BILL DUKE
Bill Duke recently received a Lifetime Achievement Tribute from the Directors Guild of America, as he joined the ranks of directors Stephen Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, and Clint Eastwood.
What makes Bill Duke stand out from these other directors is the fact that he is a director who like Michael Shultz and Gordon Parks paved the way for African Americans in cinema beginning in the early 1970's.
He is the founder and CEO of Duke Media, formerly Yagya Productions, which has been successfully producing film and television for over 30 years. Bill Duke formally served on the Board of Trustees of the American Film Institute and was appointed to the California State Film Commission Board by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Bill Duke served as the Time Warner Endowed Chair of the Department of Radio Television and Film at Howard University in Washington, DC; he was then appointed to the National Endowment of the Humanities by President Bill Clinton.
Bill Duke's numerous television series include Falcon Crest, Fame, Dallas, Staff Lane and Hill Street Blues. His feature film credits include The Killing Floor, A Rage in Harlem, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Deep Cover, Hoodlum, The Cemetery Club, Cover and Not Easily Broken. Currently in production are the films Black Diamonds: The Evolution of Blacks in Baseball, Yalla Gals, What is Man and What is a Woman.
Mr. Duke has recently completed Dark Girls Documentary which was just aired on OWN and was one of the most successful shows on their network’s history. Mr. Duke with his Co-Producing partner D. Channin Berry are currently touring Dark Girls globally. His acting credits include Predator, American Gigolo, Car Wash, Commando, Menace II Society, Bird on a Wire, The Limey, Get Rich or Die Trying, and X-Men 3 ; for a full resume of Mr. Dukes acting credits go to imdb.com
He has continued to divide his time between appearing in front of, as well as behind the camera. He is unprecedented in his ability to be recognized as a mainstay in Hollywood. Bill Duke is a humanitarian and activist who devotes his time to charity and not for profit organizations. He is on the Board of Directors of Educating Young Minds after school program with the mission to help inner city youth in the United States excel in school and life. He is also an AIDS activist, and has created a film titled The Faces of HIV.
As film history has proven, Bill Duke welcomes the challenges of making films with a voice that needs to be heard and recently established the Duke Media Foundation. The foundation instructs young people the disciplines of media literacy which is the evolution from film to media including virtual worlds, cell phone apps, games and mobile TV. In addition, the foundation teaches the disciplines necessary for the creation of branding and financial literacy the students learn distinction between the spending of money and the use of money.
What makes Bill Duke stand out from these other directors is the fact that he is a director who like Michael Shultz and Gordon Parks paved the way for African Americans in cinema beginning in the early 1970's.
He is the founder and CEO of Duke Media, formerly Yagya Productions, which has been successfully producing film and television for over 30 years. Bill Duke formally served on the Board of Trustees of the American Film Institute and was appointed to the California State Film Commission Board by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Bill Duke served as the Time Warner Endowed Chair of the Department of Radio Television and Film at Howard University in Washington, DC; he was then appointed to the National Endowment of the Humanities by President Bill Clinton.
Bill Duke's numerous television series include Falcon Crest, Fame, Dallas, Staff Lane and Hill Street Blues. His feature film credits include The Killing Floor, A Rage in Harlem, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Deep Cover, Hoodlum, The Cemetery Club, Cover and Not Easily Broken. Currently in production are the films Black Diamonds: The Evolution of Blacks in Baseball, Yalla Gals, What is Man and What is a Woman.
Mr. Duke has recently completed Dark Girls Documentary which was just aired on OWN and was one of the most successful shows on their network’s history. Mr. Duke with his Co-Producing partner D. Channin Berry are currently touring Dark Girls globally. His acting credits include Predator, American Gigolo, Car Wash, Commando, Menace II Society, Bird on a Wire, The Limey, Get Rich or Die Trying, and X-Men 3 ; for a full resume of Mr. Dukes acting credits go to imdb.com
He has continued to divide his time between appearing in front of, as well as behind the camera. He is unprecedented in his ability to be recognized as a mainstay in Hollywood. Bill Duke is a humanitarian and activist who devotes his time to charity and not for profit organizations. He is on the Board of Directors of Educating Young Minds after school program with the mission to help inner city youth in the United States excel in school and life. He is also an AIDS activist, and has created a film titled The Faces of HIV.
As film history has proven, Bill Duke welcomes the challenges of making films with a voice that needs to be heard and recently established the Duke Media Foundation. The foundation instructs young people the disciplines of media literacy which is the evolution from film to media including virtual worlds, cell phone apps, games and mobile TV. In addition, the foundation teaches the disciplines necessary for the creation of branding and financial literacy the students learn distinction between the spending of money and the use of money.
RICHARD LAWSON
Richard Lawson is a master scene study teacher and director at The Beverly Hills Playhouse with for over 30 years. In addition, he owns and operates the Richard Lawson Studios (RLS). RLS offers several classes and professional development workshops, including: scene study, on-camera class, audition techniques, filmmaking, and business administration.
After serving a year's duty in Vietnam, he went to Chabot Junior College in Hayward, California and joined the debate team with the intention of pursuing law. His voice was so strong, resonant and authoritative that he decided to become an actor instead.
Lawson has won two L.A. Drama Critics Awards: one for the play "Streamers" (1977), and another for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1987). In addition, he won a NAACP Image Award for his role on the TV soap opera "All My Children" (1970) in 1992.
After serving a year's duty in Vietnam, he went to Chabot Junior College in Hayward, California and joined the debate team with the intention of pursuing law. His voice was so strong, resonant and authoritative that he decided to become an actor instead.
Lawson has won two L.A. Drama Critics Awards: one for the play "Streamers" (1977), and another for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1987). In addition, he won a NAACP Image Award for his role on the TV soap opera "All My Children" (1970) in 1992.
ROCKY CARROLL
One
of Hollywood's best-kept secrets, Rocky Carroll is a critically-acclaimed actor who has consistently proved his ability to master diverse roles in film, television and theatre!
Carroll currently pulls double-duty on two hit primetime television shows: “NCIS” and spin-off “NCIS: Los Angeles.” As ‘Director of NCIS Leon Vance,’ Carroll stars as a regular on franchise anchor “NCIS,” working alongside his former “Chicago Hope” co-star Mark Harmon. Carroll also keeps tabs on the new undercover team in LA in a recurring role on the hit show that stars LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell. “NCIS,” the highest-rated scripted drama on television, is approaching its 11th season, while the top-rated spin-off “NCIS: Los Angeles” will enter its fourth. Airing Tuesday nights at 8pm and 9pm, both shows will premiere on September 24th.
While balancing his director duties on two hit shows, this past fall the Tony-nominated Carroll has also found time to return to his first love: the stage. He starred in the riveting political drama “Fraternity” for the Ebony Rep Theatre Company, at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Culver City. The production co-starred such actors as Robert Gossett (“Major Crimes”), Tony-winner Robert Robinson, and Drama Desk-winner Harvey Blanks.
For Carroll, acting was never just a hobby or a career; he describes it as "a calling; a passion. A lot of people make the mistake of slipping into it to see if something happens. But overnight success takes years of hard work, luck and God-given talent," he asserts. It is exactly that combination that allows Rocky Carroll to bring life to characters that fans can love, hate, and most importantly, cherish. When not doing his patriotic duty on the set of “NCIS,” Carroll is a sports nut and loves attending NFL and NCAA basketball games when he can. He is also an avid golfer and poker player.
Carroll currently pulls double-duty on two hit primetime television shows: “NCIS” and spin-off “NCIS: Los Angeles.” As ‘Director of NCIS Leon Vance,’ Carroll stars as a regular on franchise anchor “NCIS,” working alongside his former “Chicago Hope” co-star Mark Harmon. Carroll also keeps tabs on the new undercover team in LA in a recurring role on the hit show that stars LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell. “NCIS,” the highest-rated scripted drama on television, is approaching its 11th season, while the top-rated spin-off “NCIS: Los Angeles” will enter its fourth. Airing Tuesday nights at 8pm and 9pm, both shows will premiere on September 24th.
While balancing his director duties on two hit shows, this past fall the Tony-nominated Carroll has also found time to return to his first love: the stage. He starred in the riveting political drama “Fraternity” for the Ebony Rep Theatre Company, at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Culver City. The production co-starred such actors as Robert Gossett (“Major Crimes”), Tony-winner Robert Robinson, and Drama Desk-winner Harvey Blanks.
For Carroll, acting was never just a hobby or a career; he describes it as "a calling; a passion. A lot of people make the mistake of slipping into it to see if something happens. But overnight success takes years of hard work, luck and God-given talent," he asserts. It is exactly that combination that allows Rocky Carroll to bring life to characters that fans can love, hate, and most importantly, cherish. When not doing his patriotic duty on the set of “NCIS,” Carroll is a sports nut and loves attending NFL and NCAA basketball games when he can. He is also an avid golfer and poker player.
BENTLEY EVANS
Los Angeles native, Bentley Kyle Evans, is the Creator and Executive Producer, along with Executive Producer Martin Lawrence, of the television sitcom, "Love That Girl" starring Reagan Gomez and Bresha Webb. "Love That Girl" has been nominated for several NAACP Image Awards over the last 3 seasons for: Best Comedy, Best Actress in a Comedy, and Best Actor in a Comedy. Airing concurrently on another network is "Family Time" starring Omar Gooding and Angell Conwell (Young and the Restless), repeating history with two shows running on two networks concurrently. Bentley was Co-Executive Producer of the "Martin" show and Creator and Executive Producer of "The Jamie Foxx Show", both of which continue to run in syndication internationally, exceeding 100 episodes each. He also wrote the screenplay for the motion picture, "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" starring Martin Lawrence.
2012 marked Mr. Evans' 20th year writing for television and film, and his body of work has served to help launch the careers of Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx, and invigorate child actress, Tatyana Ali's career ("Fresh Prince of Bel Air"). He can be found on any given day working in "the lab" where he continues to create projects for television and film. Mr. Evans resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
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2012 marked Mr. Evans' 20th year writing for television and film, and his body of work has served to help launch the careers of Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx, and invigorate child actress, Tatyana Ali's career ("Fresh Prince of Bel Air"). He can be found on any given day working in "the lab" where he continues to create projects for television and film. Mr. Evans resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
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STATE OF BLACK HOLLYWOOD
PART 2: GENERATION RISING
STARLETT QUARLES (MODERATOR)
Starlett Quarles, is a passionate, long time Community Activist and Advocate for the progress of Black Los Angeles. A Third-Generation Angeleno and Community Builder, Ms. Quarles’ family has been instrumental in the redevelopment of South LA’s urban landscape through the Real Estate Development and Construction Industries. As a result, Community Building and Advocacy is in her DNA.
A UCLA Graduate, Ms. Quarles’ is President of urban X marketing, which provides Community Marketing, Branding, and Public Relations Services. As a firm whose mission is to help revitalize the socioeconomic health of urban enclaves across the country, urban X’s expressed purpose is to provide services that not only help businesses and organizations fulfill their missions; but also ones that help showcase and cultivate entrepreneurial leadership within LA’s Emerging Ethnic Marketplace.
Since 2010, Ms. Quarles has been dedicated to addressing a multitude of Community Economic Development Issues as the Host and Producer of her Nationally-Syndicated Internet TV Talk Show, “THE Dialogue with Starlett Quarles.”
With a monthly viewership of over 250,000 and growing, THE Dialogue is a show with today’s Black Community in mind. Each week, Ms. Quarles generates lively and relevant discussions around the thoughts, concerns, challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities faced by many of today’s black professionals, families, entrepreneurs and community leaders.
A UCLA Graduate, Ms. Quarles’ is President of urban X marketing, which provides Community Marketing, Branding, and Public Relations Services. As a firm whose mission is to help revitalize the socioeconomic health of urban enclaves across the country, urban X’s expressed purpose is to provide services that not only help businesses and organizations fulfill their missions; but also ones that help showcase and cultivate entrepreneurial leadership within LA’s Emerging Ethnic Marketplace.
Since 2010, Ms. Quarles has been dedicated to addressing a multitude of Community Economic Development Issues as the Host and Producer of her Nationally-Syndicated Internet TV Talk Show, “THE Dialogue with Starlett Quarles.”
With a monthly viewership of over 250,000 and growing, THE Dialogue is a show with today’s Black Community in mind. Each week, Ms. Quarles generates lively and relevant discussions around the thoughts, concerns, challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities faced by many of today’s black professionals, families, entrepreneurs and community leaders.
DORIAN MISSICK
Actor Dorian Missick just ended a great 2 season run on TnT's co-drama, SouthLAnd.
Currently has (2) movies in theatrical releases and filming the new Bruckheimer
thriller, "Beware the Night" in the Bronx.
Currently has (2) movies in theatrical releases and filming the new Bruckheimer
thriller, "Beware the Night" in the Bronx.
SEAN BLAKEMORE
Sean Blakemore , originally from St. Louis, is an American actor who is portraying Shawn Butler on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital, a role he began playing on January 21, 2011 on a recurring basis. On April 6, 2011 Blakemore signed a contract with ABC to continue his role full-time. On May 9, 2012, Blakemore was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role on General Hospital.
Actor Sean Blakemore moved from hometown St. Louis to Los Angeles on July 19, 1998, to follow his dream of acting. Blakemore has also appeared on episodes on such series as ER, Monk, The Shield, Cold Case, NCIS and Bones.
Actor Sean Blakemore moved from hometown St. Louis to Los Angeles on July 19, 1998, to follow his dream of acting. Blakemore has also appeared on episodes on such series as ER, Monk, The Shield, Cold Case, NCIS and Bones.