Jamaicans in Hollywood
Jozanne Marie
Jozanne Marie is an acclaimed actress, playwright, poet, speaker, author and an advocate for women. Her newly released memoir, BEAUTIFUL, Unashamed and Unafraid is touching lives around the world and now been adapted to be turned into a feature film by one of Hollywood’s top entertainment company. Jozanne Marie was one of the 50 female
thought leaders from around the country who were selected to participate in Women on a TEDx Stage. Recently she has been cast in a supporting role in the upcoming feature film, Quiet In My Town directed by Michael Carney (Same Kind of Different As Me). Beautiful was one of the six books to receive the Margins Book Award for Social Justice and Advocacy in our nation. The Library Journal Magazine recognized Beautiful as a book for social change. In addition, this year, the City of Los Angeles and Mayor Eric Garcetti recognized Jozanne for work that inspires, empowers and supports our community. This Jamaican born multi-talented artist is also a NAACP Theatre Awards WINNER for Best Solo Show – BEAUTIFUL.
Which she also wrote and performed. BEAUTIFUL has garnered critical acclaim by various news outlets, magazines and celebrities. Critic’s Choice in the LA Times and Best of the Week in LA Weekly. This journey led Jozanne to start the National Beautiful Campaign. Her most recent appearance was in Montreal, Canada presented by the High Commissioner of Jamaica, Janice Miller and the Jamaican Consulate of Montreal, Mr. George Grant. With two shows and an audience of 600 in attendance, Mr. George Grant said - Jozanne Marie have demonstrated the high standards of excellence that Jamaica has come to expect from its sons and daughters. With her performance she have started a long overdue conversation the Jamaican diaspora in Canada. Jozanne is definitely one of Jamaica's most beautiful creations.
We will be doing our part to keep this conversation active in the diaspora and "back a yard" when it comes to uplifting women. Jozanne got her feet wet as a member of the New York City touring ensemble, Family Life Theater, where she toured for three years uplifting the youth through acting. Inspired by the positive impact performing had on this community, Jozanne took the next step and went on to study acting, and is a graduate of the prestigious, The
Acting Studio Conservatory, in New York City. She has appeared in Film, TV and Theatre productions, including Tears of the Sun, with Bruce Willis, Taming of the Shrew at the Globe Theatre, Marisol, Vanities, No Exit and De Donde? She has also been a principal actor in many National Commercials, including writing and starring in a National Campaign for Sprite. In the world of Poetry, Jozanne has performed for some of the largest church communities of audiences between 500-10,000 (West Angeles, In His Presence, Faithful Central, One Church, P4CM, The Vine), popular coffee houses (Nuyorican Café, New York Comedy Club) major corporations (Neutrogena and Sprite) as well as colleges (CSUN, Biola University, John Jay College, UCLA, Moorpark
College). Her poetry workshop SPIT teaches inner city youths to make a difference in their communities by using their own unique voices re social issues, such as gang violence, global warming and GMOs.
Her project MEN MAKING A CHANGE was requested and presented to, First Lady, Michelle Obama. Jozanne is also an ordained minister, which explains why her work transcends age, ethnicity and speaks to the heart of humanity. Ms. Marie is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Dramatist Guild; Board Member for the African Artist Association, and an Associate Programmer for The Bentoville Film Festival which champions women and diverse voices in media. Jozanne Marie is a renaissance woman who is pioneering the way as an entrepreneur,
entertainer, advocate and thought leader. Jozanne Marie Enterprise is the way forward.