The Michael Latt Legacy Fund has announced its third cohort of grantees for the Leading With Love: Grants in Support of Courageous Creativity program. This initiative, established in memory of Michael Latt, aims to support rising creatives whose work aligns with his values of culture, advocacy, storytelling, social impact, and community transformation. The fund has selected 16 grantees across various disciplines, including filmmakers, artists, activists, educators, and organizations. The recipients will receive funding for artist fellowships, advocacy projects, documentary films, and organizational support.
One of the notable recipients is SoLa Foundation / Art in Action, which will partner with the fund to empower young artists in South Los Angeles through workshops, guest speakers, and mentorship programs. Protect the Sacred, led by Allie Redhorse Young, will focus on youth programming centered around storytelling, sports, and cultural expression. Jon Boogz's Stories Are Living Things (SALT) will explore the intersection of movement, language, and narratives through an immersive storytelling performance.
In terms of artist fellowships, Leo Aguirre, a filmmaker, will receive a Panavision package to support his debut film, 'Verano', which explores the challenges faced by an unruly teen and an asylum seeker. The film 'The Friend's House is Here', directed by Maryam Ataei and Hossein Keshavarz, will also receive a grant to support its release. Kasey Elise Walker and Andrea Ellsworth, co-directors of 'Too Many Hoops', are the inaugural recipients of the Michael Latt Legacy / Further Adventures Fellowship, designed to support exceptional first-time directors.
The fund also supports short film and advocacy projects, such as a documentary short co-directed by Chiké Okonkwo and Chris Advansun, which will explore the human impulse to create and its impact on connection, healing, and transformation. Jarrett Harper's 'Better Days' will amplify the stories of foster youth, building on his previous work 'I Got My Brother'.
Additionally, the fund emphasizes community and collaboration, with initiatives like Represent Justice, which uses storytelling to engage audiences in reimagining the legal system, and the Sundance Collab/Michael Latt Artist Residency, which supports underrepresented storytellers early in their careers. The Harness Practitioner in Residency Program, co-founded by America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama, and Ryan Piers Williams, provides a platform for activists and artists to strengthen their community advocacy work.
Looking ahead, the fund's Bold Futures initiatives include Get Lit's Creative Career Lab, which prepares young adults for dream jobs in the creative industry, and the Howard University's Michael Latt Legacy Fellowship, which supports a full scholarship for students committed to social justice and innovative storytelling. The Young Women's Freedom Center's Freedom Conversations will deliver gender-specific services to heal and empower youth in leadership development, while Venice Arts' Center for Creative Workforce Equity will provide training and opportunities to underserved and marginalized groups.
Lastly, Deon Jones' American Rave will bring together music, discourse, and joy in cultural revivals. The Michael Latt Legacy Fund's third cohort of grantees showcases a diverse range of projects that embody the spirit of courageous creativity and social impact, reflecting Michael Latt's vision and values.
