In a field of giants, Barkhad Abdi was in good company for the Best Supporting Actor Award. While he didn’t win for his depiction of a Somali pirate, not a bad result for his first acting career.
In the flash of Hollywood, it can be hard for a first time actor to hold on. When that actor is typecast, it can be even tougher. So that then is the struggle ahead for Abdi.
Without a lot of roles for Somali pirates, or even general African badies, Abdi has had a hard time nailing down his next roles, despite the accolades. Hopefully he’ll find his footing free of seas legs.
Susan X Jane, Principal of Navigators Consulting, has over 30 years of experience exploring race and representation in both the public and private sectors. Susan is a transracial adoptee—a Black woman raised in a White family and community—an experience that created an early focus on the way race shapes our concept of ourselves and each other.
Susan has worked to address race and racism as a community organizer, nonprofit program developer, professor of communications, and consultant to corporations and impact-focused institutions. As Principal of Navigators Consulting, she draws on decades of experience to work with organizations in the public and private sectors.
To any who seeks to build a better world, she offers her skills as a teacher, coach, and strategic partner to help create diverse and inclusive environments where the humanity of all is respected and protected.
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Susan X Jane 