Role Model: Lakeith Stanfield
Many of you know him from his co-star role on hit series Atlanta starring Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino, or ten minute role in the instant cult classic “Get Out”. But the brother is much, much brighter than the limelight has shown him in these occurrences. For one, he is outright Black, and I mean that in the strongest connotation possible, also Stanfield is advocating Black advancement in entertainment. One of the reasons he has become one of my favorite actors in Hollywood. Theres an Art to being unapologetically Black and he embodies that in every way. Even his Interviews give off that feeling that the brother is educated and motivated toward the advancement of Black and Brown people around the world. From his Karl Kani wardrobe on the Jimmy Fallon Show, to his candor response of pronouncing the Show Friends as “white” and a learning experience when recreating it for a Jay Z video. Everyone knows the show “Friends” is the whitest show besides Seinfeld to hit TV since the 90’s, and him not being a fan makes him even Black”er” if you get what I mean lol. I admire his attention to detail in his roles as well as his attention to the social and cultural discrepancies he clearly wants to change in the industry.
“I was the only Black dude on set and that’s a new space for me to occupy and that comes with its own thing,” Stanfield said, “but I was able to sprinkle a little pepper in that situation you know, represent my people, [and] add a little spice to it.”
Lakeith speaking on his newest role in the movie “Knives Out” where he is the only Black Man on set. Something that both confuses and kinda bothers me. All the production and behind the scenes people that make movies happen and theres only one man of color around. Things like this is why I appreciate Lakeith and his blunt honesty on the subject because who would ever guess that he’s a minority in a business like entertainment where Colored folk pretty much master the domain when it comes to talent. Dont get me wrong this isn’t about race, but I would like to see fair representation and those many behind the scenes career paths to open up for our culture to exploit and conquer as other races have been doing forever now.
I look forward to seeing this Brother take Hollywood by storm and continue to push the envelope when it comes to collecting these checks and showing the world that not only are we talented, but we have a voice and a culture to protect and provide for the next generations to come. I believe him and Issa Rae’s movie “the Photograph” coming Valentines Day 2020 will be his biggest and best role to date. A love story that boasts black love and the many nuances of what that is in todays world of hook ups and “situationships”. I saw the trailer and instantly knew this would be a huge hit in the box office and in the black community. Extremely relatable on many levels, heart warming and romantic to say the least. Check out the trailer here.
