*Los Angeles, CA – What a big day it was for media brand, Shadow And Act, which celebrated its first annual “Rising Awards” brunch ceremony during black history month. In total, thirty-two honorees were acknowledged and awarded from categories Behind-the-scenes, Creators, Actors & Actresses and Executives.
Amongst the honorees were rising stars in all genres, such as Logan Browning (“Dear White People”), Nafessa Williams (“Black Lightning”), Franklin Leonard (The Blacklist, Founder), and James Ward, III (OWN Senior Manager, Communications), and Kelley Kali (Lalo’s House, Filmmaker).
Brooke Obie, Managing Editor of Shadow And Act, says:
“This can be a very tough industry, so we want to build a safe space so that people can feel like they are supported throughout their career.”
Shadow And Act is one of five brands under its parent company, Blavity, Inc., whose CEO, Morgan Debaun, states that, “events like this create new scripts, start new companies, and introduce the most brilliant minds of our generation to each other in Hollywood.”
Here’s some video footage to give you a a taste of the event:
Comedian/actor, Lil Rel Howery (“Get Out,” “Birdbox”), took home the award for the Actors & Actresses category and in his speech, he acknowledged the importance of everyone in the room. He spoke about how growing up on the West Side of Chicago, he would envision himself on television and that it’s because of creators and filmmakers such as these rising stars, that he is in the position he’s now in.
The keynote speaker, Academy Award winner, Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight,” “If Beale Street Could Talk”), who has a long history with Shadow And Act, closed the awards show with a moving speech. He made mention of how years ago, black people didn’t have access to filmmaking equipment and now that it’s affordable and accessible, we have the power to create stories from our points of view.
For more information, visit www.shadowandact.com.
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