Bill Duke
Actor & Director | Godfather of Black Cinema
Bill Duke is an acclaimed actor, director, producer, and humanitarian whose career spans more than five decades. A recipient of the Directors Guild of America Lifetime Achievement Tribute and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he is celebrated for iconic roles in Car Wash, Predator, Commando, Black Lightning, and Get Rich or Die Tryin’, as well as for directing acclaimed films including Deep Cover, A Rage in Harlem, and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
As Founder and CEO of Duke Media, Younite Network, and the Duke Media Foundation, Duke has long championed storytelling as a vehicle for education, empowerment, and social impact. In his newly appointed role as Goodwill Ambassador for Operation HOPE, he advances initiatives through the Duke Media Foundation that expands access to financial literacy and emerging AI media tools, helping communities build knowledge, opportunity, and economic resilience.
His influence continues to grow through the Bill Duke TV Channel on the EZ Way Network and an upcoming partnership with the JaroGo Network, delivering original programming that reflects his enduring commitment to purpose-driven storytelling and inclusive innovation.