Healing Racism Public Dialogue Series

Join the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy's founding directorMatthew C. Whitaker for a moderated conversation with award-winning actor, director and social activist Edward James Olmos and educator, entrepreneur and filmmaker, Lasana O. Hotep as they delve into Black and Latino identity and the relational and community challenges facing the most visible, populous groups of color in the United States.

Edward James Olmos speaks at the United Nations.

EDWARD JAMES OLMOS

ACTOR, PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, AND LATINO ACTIVIST

Known as the “Olivier of the Latino world,” Edward James Olmos is an individual flowing with talent and creativity. The multi-talented actor, producer, director, and community activist was born and raised in East Los Angeles, and spent many years in theatrical roles until his mesmerizing performance in the musical play Zoot Suit, which led to a Tony Award nomination. He later recreated the role for film, and went on to star in such films as Wolfen and Blade Runner. He then scored a personal success with his role as a Mexican cowboy in The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, directed by Robert M. Young, who also directed Olmos in Saving Grace, Triumph of the Spirit, Talent for the Game, and Caught. Olmos also starred Commander Adama on the critically acclaimed series Battlestar Galactica.

In April 1999, Olmos launched a nationwide multimedia project called a celebration of Latino culture through photography, film, music, and the printed word. The project was co-sponsored by Time Warner Inc., and designed to inspire Latino pride, and to build bridges among Latinos and others. Americanos included a five-year traveling photography exhibition organized by the Smithsonian Institution; a music CD featuring Latino artists; a documentary that aired on HBO; and a book co-edited by Olmos of essays, photos, and commentary by today’s most notable figures in the Hispanic community.

In 1997, Olmos starred as Abraham Quintanilla in the much-anticipated Warner Bros. feature film release of Selena. He also starred in the acclaimed film,12 Angry Men, for Showtime television, directed by William Friedkin.

In 1996, he starred in the ABC miniseries, Dead Man’s Walk, which was the prequel to Lonesome Dove. He also completed the movie The Limbic Region, and starred in the critically acclaimed Sony Pictures Classic thriller, Caught.

Olmos was honored with a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy nomination for his work in HBO’s The Burning Season, the story of the Brazilian political activist Chico Mendes. As a producer, he currently has a development deal with ABC.

Olmos completed five feature films in 1995: My Family/Mi Familia, directed by Gregory Nava; Mirage; Slave of Dreams, a Showtime Production; and Roosters, an American Playhouse Production. In 1994, Olmos played Jose Menendez in the CBS mini-series, Menendez: A Murder in Beverly Hills. He was also the executive producer of the award-winning NBC documentary, Lives In Hazard, which premiered that year. In 1992, he marked his directorial debut and starred in the powerful feature film, American Me,for his production company, Olmos Productions. In 1988, he received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Jaime Escalante, the eccentric but dedicated math teacher, inStand and Deliver, which he also produced. Olmos also won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Lt. Castillo on the popular television seriesMiami Vice. In 2013, Olmos starred in Go For Sisters, Two Guns, and Filly Brown.

While busy producing, directing and acting, Olmos also makes time to participate in many humanitarian efforts. He is a US Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, and a national spokesperson for organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. He has worked with David Rockefeller of the Rockefeller Foundation, and serves on the boards of many groups and organizations.

He is also the executive director of the Lives In Hazard Educational Project, a national gang prevention program funded by the US Dept. of Justice. He speaks at an average of 150 institutions each year. He also played an instrumental role in the cleanup efforts after the LA riots, the 1993 Los Angeles earthquake, and Hurricane Andrew in Florida.

 

LASANA O. HOTEP

EDUCATOR, ENTREPRENUER, AND FILMMAKER

Lasana Omar Hotep is an educator, essayist, entrepreneur, and filmmaker committed to challenging himself and others to create a more just and harmonious society. He uses the mediums of public speaking, workshop facilitation, writing, and film to express his ideas, scholarship, and problem-solving strategies.

Hotep is a highly sought after for his expertise in issues related to Black Male History and Black and Latino Male student success. One of his most notable achievements is co-founding the nationally recognized African-American Men of Arizona State University (AAMASU) program with Alonzo Jones. He also serves on the faculty of the national male success based organization, Student African-American Brotherhood (SAAB) and on the advisory board of BK Nation. Hotep has the distinguished honor of being a Fellow at the Molefi Kete Asante Institute for Afrocentric Studies.

He has contributed his refreshingly informed perceptive and analysis to several books, the most notable being the Black Male Handbook, edited by Kevin Powell. He most recently served as the program coordinator for Arizona State University’s Center for the Study of Race and Democracy (CSRD) and Director of Multicultural Affairs at Estrella Mountain Community College. As the program coordinator for the CSRD, Hotep wrote, directed, and produced the documentary film, Trending Race: Shaping and Embracing Black and Latino Identity. The film explores historical and contemporary understandings of identity within these diverse communities.

Hotep continues to fulfill his passion for assisting students by currently serving as the Dean of Student Services at Merritt College in Oakland, California. As an entrepreneur, he is the Lead Consultant of Hotep Consultants and the co-founder and co-owner of MyClickUrban.com, an event finding and posting website and application. Hotep views all of accomplishments and endeavors as part of a work to improve the communities that he represents and serves.