Award-Winning Filmmaker Jordan Coleman to Speak at American University TEDx Event

 

New York, NY – Award-Winning Filmmaker Jordan Coleman will be one of the speakers selected for this year’s TEDx event at American University on. Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Katzen Arts Center Recital Hall in Washington, DC

 The theme is “Transform” and Coleman will use his platform to take the audience through trials, tribulations and triumphs he has faced and what it means to be a young man of color in America.

“I am very excited about presenting at the American University TEDx event,’ said Coleman. “I have accomplished a lot, but being selected as a voice for American University is an honor in itself. I know America doesn’t always treat black men as fair as they should, nevertheless progression is obvious and hopefully I can be seen as a catalyst. ”

The constant shootings of young black men in American sent a clear message to Coleman and other black young men that their lives are not respected. Instead of getting mad about the shootings, Coleman picked up his camera and decided to make a film “Don’t Shoot,” which is a conversation about young men of color, police brutality, and how African-American males are perceived in America.

During his TEDx presentation, Coleman will speak, rap and deliver his spoken word piece, “The American Dream” that includes his inner thoughts about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Coleman hopes his documentary will give a voice to his peers everywhere who have been silenced, ignored, neglected, stereotyped, misunderstood, discriminated against and symbolically left for dead.

“I am a 20-year-old, black male that loves rap” says Coleman. “This doesn’t define me, nor does it define most young black males; at least it shouldn’t. The truth of the matter is I am a filmmaker, Emmy-winning voice-over actor, public speaker, education activist, author, athlete, a well-spoken and God fearing young man who is trying to achieve personal goals while making my over-achieving parents proud. I feel I am the future of America so why would anyone want to kill me?”

About Jordan Coleman:

Jordan Coleman is a junior at American University studying film and media arts with AU's School of Communications. He is also a film director who has directed two award-winning films by the age of 17.

At the age of 10, Jordan was the voice of cartoon character, "Tyrone the Moose" on the Nickelodeon show, The Backyardigans. After gaining income from the television the show; he was able to fund his first film, “Say It Loud.” The film stressed the importance of education for African-American males and was picked up by AMC theaters for a 7-city film tour across the country. The documentary has appearances by figures like: Sen. Cory Booker, Kobe Bryant, Michael Strahan, Ludacris and more.

At 14-years-old, Jordan directed his second film, Payin’ The Price, a cautionary tale about teen dating violence. Jordan has won awards from the Motion Picture Association of America, HBO, Peachtree International Film Festival and more.  Jordan has received numerous awards and commendations for his films and community service. 

Source: Mercury