LORENZO YEARBY Talented Filmmaker and Actor We had the privilege of talking to filmmaker and actor Lorenzo Yearby who just had has big break film debut in The 24th as Lucky. The 24th is an inspirational story as it follows the true story of the Houston Riot of 1917. We see the 24th Infantry is sent to Houston, Texas to oversee the construction for the Illinois National Guard. It’s heartbreaking the racism they endure by the brutal police force and the choices they make. I got a chance to speak with Lorenzo about his role in the film, his thoughts on racism, and his passion for filmmaking Well Lorenzo is a lot. Lorenzo is an actor, writer, director, producer, musician, cake baker, computer builder, gym rat, basketball player. This guy is a lot. I think my interest in the industry began when I was doing extra work on a film in 2005 entitled “ATL,” and the director Chris Robinson bumped me up to a small role, as the nerd in the film. I had one fall scene in the school as the bell was ringing and another in the skating rink. I was already in love with
acting, but when I got the contract is when I figured I can make a living doing this, and I have been pursuing it since then. Writing and directing came from me seeing a lack of positive representation of Black men in film and TV. So far, there are a lot of very narrow and stereotypical portrayals of Black men. Characters who don’t really expose younger Black men to the different opportunities there are out there for them. Children are impressionable, as are adults, and they will mirror what they see on screen from people who look like them. I became a writer, then filmmaker to reclaim the identity of Black men and Black people as a whole. Yes, music is my second love. It helped me escape a lot of tough times in my life. I’m a person who literally likes every genre of music. I’m a big fan of old jazz, neo soul, dubstep, well, as I said, pretty much
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