Reginald Hudlin: Success While Navigating the Challenges of Race

At this year's Black Business Leaders Hall of Fame, actor and producer Wren T. Brown interviewed keynote speaker Reginald Hudlin about the individuals who energized his career, the impact of showcasing "normal" black life on screen, and how he was inspired to create Shuri — the pop culture icon from his "Black Panther" comic book series.

At the event, Hudlin shared stories from pivotal moments in his career, including projects such as "Boomerang," "House Party," and "Black Panther." He gave viewers key insights into what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and creator while navigating the challenges of race in the era of #OscarsSoWhite.

The event was presented by City National Bank in support of entrepreneurs and their businesses within the black community.

 

About Reginald Hudlin

Reginald Hudlin is a pioneer of the modern black film movement, having written, directed and/or produced features including "House Party" (1990), "Boomerang" (1992), "Bebe's Kids" (1992), and "Marshall" (2017).

Hudlin was an executive producer and writer of the TV series "Black Panther," and executive producer of "The Boondocks." He was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar as one of the producers of Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" in 2012. In 2016, Hudlin was one of the producers of the 88th Annual Academy Awards. He also served as Black Entertainment Television's first president of entertainment, from 2005 to 2009.

Hudlin has been honored by The NAACP, The United Negro College Fund, The ACLU, The Sundance Film Festival, The American Film Institute, San Diego Comic-Con International and The African-American Film Critics Association, among many others.

 

About Wren T. Brown

Wren T. Brown is a fourth generation Angeleno and is very proud to be in his fourth decade as an actor, and entering his second decade as a producer and director. Brown has dozens of film, television and theater credits in addition to appearing in more than 100 commercials and a broad range of voice-over and spoken word projects.

In 2018, Wren made his Lone Tree Arts Center directing debut with August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize winning play, "Fences." In 1999, Wren made his debut as a producer with the critically acclaimed feature film, "Boesman & Lena," starring Danny Glover and Angela Bassett.

In 2007, Wren founded the award-winning Ebony Repertory Theatre, the first and only African-American professional theater company in Los Angeles history, where he serves as producing artistic director.