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AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018
Whitfield Believes Minority Entertainers Help Move the Country Forward By Angeline Taylor
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Dondre Whitfield appears in a scene with Retina Wesley in the third season of OWN’s “Queen Sugar.”
As a child and an adult, African-American actor Dondre Whitfield has performed on shows that have changed the color of television. “I feel like my memoir is going to be called from Robert to Remy,” said Whitfield, referring to his character Robert, the young sweetheart of Vanessa Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” Today, the three-time Emmy Award nominee is part of the talented cast in OWN’s drama “Queen Sugar.” He plays Remy Newell, an irrigation specialist and confidant to the Bordelon family, which is fighting to keep the family’s sugar cane business alive. Each role in Whitfield’s 35-year career has allowed his finger to be at the pulse of a controversial topic in the United States of America – racism.
“I hesitate only slightly in saying this,” Whitfield, 47, said. “We live in a time right now where I am thankful for this administration allowing truth to come to the surface.” Whitfield clarified by saying that President Barack Obama was “a powerful sleeping pill for our people,” but “there is no snooze button in this fight until all citizens are created equal,” he added. “We’re a long way from having citizens be treated equally.” Whitfield explained that’s why shows like “Queen Sugar” and organizations like the American Black Film Festival are important to the country. “I can’t think of anything more American than black and brown folks in this country,” he said. He used his own wife, veteran actress
and director Salli Richardson Whitfield, as an example. The two have been married for 15 years. Salli Whitfield directed during the first season of “Queen Sugar.” “My wife’s own story is an example of what we are capable of doing if given the opportunity,” he said about his wife’s journey. “When we are given the opportunity and the platform, we rise to the occasion.” He continued, “Sister Oprah Winfrey should be given much credit for the birth of so many.” In addition to Winfrey, producer Ava DuVernay has led many women to direct on the groundbreaking OWN drama. “Queen Sugar” speaks to the story line of people of color and ABFF is a strong advocate for creating and nurturing the talent of minorities,” Whitfield said. He added that ABFF
founders Jeff and Nicole Friday have shown their activism for the arts year after year. He expects this year to be no different. That’s why Whitfield said he has supported the festival since the days it was held in Acapulco. “Every year, the expectation is for something groundbreaking,” he said about ABFF. “Every year, they live up to that expectation. There are so many film festivals that do not allow our voices to be heard.” Dondre Whitfield moderates ABFF Talks: Hot in Hollywood June 15, 7:45 p.m. Loews Miami Beach Hotel