This multi-generational panel explores the idea that acting can be a valuable tool for Black male actors to connect with their personal experiences and work through their own identities and traumas. Through their roles and performances, these actors have a unique opportunity to engage with their own stories and the societal challenges they face, addressing issues such as race, masculinity, and personal history. This discussion will illuminate the profound impact of acting as a means of empowerment, self-discovery, and healing within the Black male community, shedding light on the immense potential for growth and change within the world of performance.
Pannelist Bios:
Jovan Adepo -
Jovan Adepo has become one of the most esteemed artists of this generation, with a breadth of work and critical recognition across the cinema and television landscapes.
Adepo is currently in production on the prequel series WELCOME TO DERRY, based on Stephen King’s novel ‘IT’, which is set to premiere in 2024 on Max. He stars alongside Taylour Paige, James Ramar and Chris Chalk. The show will take place in the ‘60s and explore the origins of the curse that would haunt the small Maine town for the next 27 years — as well as the origin story of the infamous Pennywise the Clown.
He recently wrapped production on the David Benioff and D.B. Weiss’ drama series THREE BODY PROBLEM for Netflix. He stars as the co-lead among a sprawling ensemble including Benedict Wong and Eiza Gonzalez. The epic, adapted from Liu Cixin’s internationally lauded sci-fi trilogy, is an ambitious tale about what happens when humanity discovers that they are not alone in the universe.
On the big screen, Adepo can be seen in Paramount Pictures’ BABYLON from Oscar-winning filmmaker Damien Chazelle, alongside an all-star cast including Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt. The film, which is an ode to the golden age of Hollywood during the transition from silent films to talkies, features spectacular visual storytelling and pulses with a remarkable energy throughout. On behalf of the film, Adepo and his castmates were nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the 29th Annual SAG Awards.
He can also be seen in Damian Szifron’s TO CATCH A KILLER for FilmNation and Vertical Entertainment opposite Shailene Woodley and Ben Mendelsohn. The thriller, which marks Szifron’s English-language debut film, follows a talented, but troubled police officer, who is recruited by the FBI to help profile and track down a mass murderer.
Adepo’s previous credits include Denzel Washington’s award-winning feature FENCES for Paramount, an adaptation of August Wilson’s revered play, in which he portrayed the son of Washington and Viola Davis’ characters; Darren Aronofsky’s MOTHER opposite Jennifer Lawrence; and as the lead role in Paramount/Bad Robot’s World War II feature OVERLORD.
In 2020, he was nominated for an Emmy in the category of “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie” for his performance in Damon Lindelof’s cultural phenomenon series WATCHMEN for HBO. Adepo’s singular episode, “The Extraordinary Being” was lauded as the standout of the series, with his character “Will Reeves/Hooded Justice” at the center of the storyline. Directed by Stephen Williams and written by Lindelof and Cord Jefferson, critics have claimed this was “one of the most formally bold 60 minutes of television ever made.”
Adepo has also starred in critically acclaimed television projects including, Damon Lindelof’s, THE LEFTOVERS; Ava DuVernay’s Emmy-nominated Netflix series, WHEN THEY SEE US based on the true story of the Central Park Five; TOM CLANCY’s JACK RYAN for Prime Video alongside John Krasinski; SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, opposite Elisabeth Olsen; and the post-apocalyptic mini-series THE STAND, based on the 1978 Stephen King novel of the same name. In 2019, he starred as ‘Lionel Jefferson’ in ABC’s Emmy-winning television event LIVE IN FRONT OF A STUDIO AUDIENCE: NORMAN LEAR’S “ALL IN THE FAMILY” AND “THE JEFFERSONS”.
He currently resides in Los Angeles.
Jason George - He is an actor with over fifty guest star and nine series regular television roles to his credit in primetime television. Originally, George and his mentor—a Virginia Supreme Court Justice—had mapped out a career path in law. However, a college friend coaxed Jason into taking an acting class where he discovered his true calling on the stage. For over a decade, Jason George has played a beloved surgeon turned firefighter on a major medical drama and its spinoff.
When not on stage or in front of the camera, George’s passion turns to educating and engaging with other artists and young people. He has lectured, hosted panels, or given keynote and commencement speeches for many at-risk youth groups, schools and universities such as The University of Virginia, The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Philadelphia’s Youth Study Center, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers and The Paley Center for Media (fka The Museum of Television and Radio).
After receiving a BA from the University of Virginia, Jason went on to get his Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Temple University and served on the Board for Temple’s School of Communications and Theater. However, George has spent much of his free time in support of his fellow actors by serving on the Frank Nelson Memorial Sick and Benefit Fund as well as the National Boards of both the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists—now merged into SAG-AFTRA. He is also on the board of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. He is currently the chair of the national union’s Diversity Advisory committee, has been Chair or Co-Chair of the legacy unions’ National or Hollywood EEO Committees and has been part of the unions’ negotiating teams for the last several prime-time television and film contracts where he has been instrumental in helping protect performers and championing diversity.
Mason Gooding - Gooding is a widely-known young actor, who grew up in LA and attended NYU.
Mason will next be seen in Y2K, a much-anticipated A24 film, opposite Rachel Zegler, Alicia Silverstone, and Miles Robbins, directed by Kyle Mooney and produced by Jonah Hill. The film follows two high school nobodies who’s New Year’s Eve in 1999 escalates beyond their wildest beliefs.
Mason was most recently seen as a key member in a brilliantly re-imagined film franchise, starring alongside Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera and Courteney Cox. He was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet. In these slasher flicks, Mason has been spared twice from the massacre in the by charming the filmmakers, who ultimately decided it was in their best interest to keep Mason around. On the feature side, Mason has also worked for, and with, the likes of Greg Berlanti, Olivia Wilde, Jason Orley, Dylan Clark and Peter Safran.
Mason found his start in television for Steven Levinson and Pete Berg, alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and then returned to TV as a key cast member for a popular TV spinoff created by Isaac Aptaker and Elisabeth Berger.
He currently resides in LA with his dog Iggy.
Dulé Hill - He most recently starred as the patriarch in the Peabody Award winning show written by Saladin Patterson. Recently seen opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor and Anne Hathaway in a movie directed by Doug Liman; Dulé previously portrayed the role of a high-powered attorney in the blockbuster hit show written by Aaron Korsh. Hill also shared a screen with Don Cheadle and Regina Hall on a popular dark comedy.
For eight seasons, followed up with three highly successful movies, Hill was a part of a comedic duo alongside James Roday Rodriguez.
In 1999, Dulé came to TV acclaim with an award-winning ensemble, including Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, Rob Lowe and Bradley Whiteford to name a few. With words written by Aaron Sorkin and produced by John Wells, Dulé garnered an Emmy nomination, four Image Award nominations, as well as two Screen Actors Guild Awards for his work on this long running series.
Stage credits include Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregor’s “Lights Out: Nat ‘King’ Cole” at the People’s Light and the Geffen Playhouse, the Tony nominated musicals “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk”, “After Midnight”, the Alicia Keys produced play “Stick Fly”, on Broadway, and Amiri Baraka’s “Dutchman” at the Cherry Lane Theatre. As well as the national tour of “The Tap Dance Kid” alongside Harold Nicholas of the legendary Nicholas Brothers
Sean Patrick Thomas - His extensive body of work covers the range of film, television and the Broadway stage. Sean has enjoyed success as a leading man in studio film work in addition to making his mark in several iconic movies that span decades and a wide range of audiences. He has collaborated with celebrated directors such as Joel Coen, Darren Aronofsky, and John Sayles; and shared the screen with Denzel Washington, Hugh Jackman, Danielle Deadwyler, and Kerry Washington among countless others. HIs film work has garnered him the Young Hollywood Award for Standout Performance; and two MTV Movie Awards; for Breakthrough Male Performance and Best Kiss.
On the small screen, his diverse credits feature series regular roles on hit network and streaming shows, tv movies, dozens of recurring/guest roles, and a featured role on a current worldwide-hit streaming tv series. Highlights include shows produced by Neil Moritz & Eric Kripke, Michelle & Robert King, and Ryan Murphy. Sean has had the pleasure of acting with Jessica Lange, Christine Baranski, Craig T. Nelson, Audra McDonald, Delroy Lindo, and too many more luminaries to name. Sean’s television work has earned him an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie, and a MovieGuide Award.
A theatre trained actor, Thomas assumed the role of Joseph Asagai in the Tony award winning revival of "A Raisin In the Sun" in the Broadway production featuring Denzel Washington. Off-Broadway, Thomas appeared twice with the NY Public Theatre's Shakespeare Festival in the Park; in "Much Ado About Nothing", and "Timon of Athens". Regional theatre credits include the title role in "Othello" at Seattle's Intiman Theatre, and James Baldwin's "The Amen Corner" at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre.
Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Fine Arts from New York University.
SAG-AFTRA members and guests invited to events will behave in a professional and courteous manner. Any violation of the rules or transgression of decorum will be subject to review by the programming team, which has authority to remove the member from present and future SAG-AFTRA Foundation programs.
Courtney B. Vance - From studying history at Harvard and acting at Yale Drama School to making history in Hollywood, Courtney B. Vance has carefully cultivated an exceptional career that showcases his passion, talent, and intellect. His penchant for successfully finding the dignity and honor in each character exploration has made this Tony® and Emmy® Award-winning and SAG Award®-nominated actor a powerful voice in the entertainment community. Whether playing Johnny Cochran or acting as Aretha Franklin’s Father, Courtney brings life and his experience to each role.
Courtney credits his parents for opening his eyes to the concept of giving back. He has a long history of philanthropic activities, including serving as a spokesperson for the Boys and Girls Club of America. Since taking the helm at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Courtney has raised over $20 million, which has been, and continues to be, distributed to his fellow SAG-AFTRA performers in financial crisis.
