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BLACK FAMOUS SPOTLIGHT Carl Gilliard: The Renaissance Man Returns for InDaHouseMedia’s Indie Cinema Night

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BLACK FAMOUS SPOTLIGHT Carl Gilliard: The Renaissance Man Returns for InDaHouseMedia’s Indie Cinema Night

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By Dr.Jerome Dorn

When you think of quiet legends—those “Black Famous” talents whose names might not trend daily but whose work speaks volumes in film, television, and theater—Carl Gilliard instantly comes to mind. This dynamic force in entertainment is returning to grace the panel at InDaHouseMedia’s Indie Cinema Night of Giving Back, held on May 18, 2025, at Backstage Atlanta.

A native of Detroit by way of Chicago, Carl Gilliard has spent decades mastering nearly every corner of the entertainment world: from gripping roles in Inception, Coach Carter, and Red Eye, to recurring appearances on The Family Business, FBI: Most Wanted, and Grey’s Anatomy. With his upcoming role in the 2025 remake of The Naked Gun, Gilliard continues to prove that age is nothing but a number—still commanding the screen at 66 with the gravitas of a veteran and the hustle of a rising star.

As President/CEO of Gilliard Media Group (GMG), based in Atlanta, Carl’s creative empire includes consulting, casting, content creation, and media production. Alongside his wife and business partner Latonya Gilliard, he’s building legacies—not just in Hollywood, but in the hearts of young creatives.

That same spirit fuels his work as Co-Creator of the Bill Duke Media Foundation’s Youth Media Camp, a powerful initiative that equips inner-city youth with skills in media arts and financial literacy. Carl is not just telling stories—he’s shaping the storytellers of tomorrow.

From the stage to the screen, his artistic DNA is rich with vision and versatility. Whether he’s starring in his original digital series Two Degrees on The BrickTV, directing award-nominated theater productions like Section 8 and Steel Magnolias, or mentoring up-and-coming talent, Carl Gilliard is a living blueprint for artistic longevity.

And now, he’s bringing all of that brilliance to InDaHouseMedia’s Indie Cinema Night—a celebration of independent film and community empowerment. As Atlanta’s creative scene continues to flourish, Gilliard’s return to this platform is not just an appearance—it’s a full-circle moment.

In an industry that often forgets its elders, Carl Gilliard stands as a reminder of what Black excellence, artistic range, and community leadership truly look like. His presence at Indie Cinema Night is not just star power—it’s a masterclass.

Don’t miss this legend in motion. May 18th. Backstage Atlanta. Be there.

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Celebrity photographer and disabled Vietnam veteran Jerome Dorn embodies the very definition of resilience. Born in Philadelphia, the fifth of seven children, Dorn stayed focused throughout his youth, eventually obtaining his degree in Criminal Justice. Dorn has worked with the Philadelphia Police Department, Department of Justice, World Wide Detective Agency, and several other high profile security groups. Throughout his successful career, Dorn wrestled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an aftereffect of his military service. Battling the pain and debilitating effect of PTSD, Dorn found comfort behind the camera. Photography proved to be not only therapeutic, but life changing as well. Dorn picked up his first camera in 1970 while serving in Vietnam and knew instantly that behind the lens was where he belonged. His shooting style and photographs were special, generating a buzz in the industry. In 1985, he began his career in photojournalism, working in a variety of genres. Dorn’s credentials include fashion, lifestyle photography, photojournalism, and celebrity/red carpet coverage. Working with MSNBC, Jet Magazine, and major publications in Philadelphia and around the country, Dorn has had the honor of capturing the images of hundreds of notable celebrities and politicians including President Barack Obama, George Bush Jr, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Jesse Jackson, Rihanna, Snoop Dog, Will Smith, and Tyler Perry. Photography has sent Dorn around the globe, inspiring his passion for civil activism. In 1995, Dorn assembled and led a group of forty-two men to the Million Man March. Together, they spent five days walking from Philadelphia to Washington DC. In his travels, Dorn observed a common theme amongst the youth of the world. Many of the children he encountered seemed lost. Understanding that opportunities for at-risk youth are minimal, Dorn was inspired to make a difference. Established by Dorn in 2011, InDaHouseMedia was built on the idea that there is room in the house for everyone. With InDaHouseMedia, Dorn’s mission is to provide the future generation with positive direction through sports, music, and photography.

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