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Inspirational Films Sol Brothers and When Roosters Crow Examine Young Men of Color, Servant Leadership, and the Life of an Early Pioneer in the Fight Against AIDS
LOS ANGELES, CA- Amid threats to free speech across the globe and questions about the limits of police action at home, acclaimed scholar and filmmaker Dr. Daniel E. Walker launches the “Faith, Hope, and Justice” Lecture and Film Tour. A Research Associate at the University of Southern California’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture, Walker is the author of the critically acclaimed book No More, No More: Slavery and Cultural Resistance in Havana and New Orleans and the study Black Church Next: Challenges and Opportunities Facing African American Congregations in 21st Century Los Angeles,He is the writer/director of the films Sol Brothers and When Roosters Crow, Founding Director of the Long Beach Indie International Film Festival, and executive producer of the forthcoming documentary series Faith and Soul in the City in collaboration with Emmy Award-winning writer and producer P. Frank Williams (Unsung, American Gangster).
A proud product of Head Start, Dr. Walker is an otherworldly speaker called to a mission of education, inspiration, and social change. As he states, “I simply believe that the inherent nature of humanity bends towards the good and I’m just trying to remind people of that. While it’s easy to see all of the recent unrest as negative, I know that there is an opportunity for change that is both proactive and redemptive.”
Walker’s films Sol Brothers and When Roosters Crow exemplify this vision. Sol Brothers examines the triumphant journey of a group of inner city young men as they attend a revolutionary college prep camp. In the acclaimed short film When Roosters Crow he investigates the life of Emmy Award-winning choreographer Dr. Danny L. Scarborough and his public battle with AIDS in the late 1980’s.
As a speaker, Dr. Walker’s style is intelligent, humorous, and inspirational. In addition to his films and moving lectures that are tailored to the specific event or theme, he is also known for his jubilant and provocative extended workshop “Oh Happy Day: The History, Music, and Mission of the Black Church.” Rousing and informative, the stand-alone event covers everything from spirituals and Hip Hop to slavery and social justice.
In addition to his work in history, religion, and film, he is an expert on Cuba, servant leadership, and the use of film, television and digital media as tools for advocacy.
Holding a doctorate (with distinction) in Latin American and African American History from the University of Houston, Walker was formerly the Associate Director of the African American Studies Program at the University of Houston, Assistant Professor of Latin American and African American History at Indiana University, and Visiting Professor of Latin American History at Occidental College. He was also elected Student Government Association President while an undergraduate at San Diego State University.
Walker is co-founder of Leadership Excellence and the Board Chair of the BLU Educational Foundation, two of the nation’s leading youth development and college access organizations, and is the recipient of the W.K.Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship, the New York City Urban Fellowship, and the Coro Leadership Fellowship. A frequent speaker at conferences, commencements, and African American history month events, his passionate message is both timely and universal.
To watch Dr. Daniel E. Walker in action or to download a full biography, visit www.drdanielwalker.com
For questions and bookings contact OneNation Media Services atinfo@onenationmedia.org or call (909) 657-0578 ext 1.