How BU Alums are Changing the Entertainment Industry
Photos by Emily Wang (COM’26)
How BU Alums are Changing the Entertainment Industry
CFA alums Russell Hornsby and Michelle Hurd returned to BU for College of Communication symposium Black Media: Reflecting on the Past and Reimagining the Future
Last week, two amazing Boston University School of Theatre alums, actors Michelle Hurd and Russell Hornsby, joined in conversation for BU College of Communication’s symposium, Black Media: Reflecting on the Past and Reimagining the Future. They were the keynote conversation panelists for the keynote conversation, How BU Alums are Changing the Entertainment Industry, with moderator Brianne Garrett (COM’18), managing editor, Sweet July.
The symposium was a day-long event during BU’s Alumni Weekend highlighting Black media professionals and their innovative and important work in the journalism, PR, marketing, advertising, and film industries. Along with the other participants, Hurd (CFA’88) and Hornsby (CFA’96) have broken barriers in their fields, amplified Black voices and stories, and navigated the challenges that still exist for Black storytellers and communications professionals.
Hornsby, an actor known for his film and television roles, has returned to BU several times to work with current students. He previously spoke with CFA magazine about the dimension and care he brings to each character he portrays. “That’s why the movie is so important, because the larger part of society has not seen that image of black men,” he reflected, of his role in The Hate U Give (2018). “In images, it’s important to strike racism a metaphorical blow, and I think that’s what [my character] Maverick does. That’s what you do when you’re able to color a character in with dimension and nuance and grace notes.”
Pictured, left: Hornsby visiting a class of CFA students in February 2020. Right: Hurd speaking with students in 2022, when she was honored with a CFA Distinguished Alumni Award (photo by Michael Spencer)
In addition to her extensive television career spanning three decades, Hurd is SAG-AFTRA’s National Vice President of Los Angeles and Chair of the SAG-AFTRA National Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee. For her commitment to union work, Hurd received the SAG-AFTRA President’s Award for Union Service in 2021.
Special thanks goes to Michelle Hurd and Russell Hornsby, for thoughtfully engaging with current students and fellow BU alums, and for being incredible mentors, advocates, and examples for generations of artists to come.
Michelle Hurd
Michelle Hurd can currently be seen starring opposite Patrick Stewart in Paramount+’s Star Trek: Picard. Hurd recently completed production on the Will Gluck rom-com Anyone But You with Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, as well as Somewhere in Montana and the comedy The Plus One. In addition to her explosive performance as “Shepherd” on NBC’s hit drama, Blindspot, Michelle was recently seen on FOX’s action crime series, Lethal Weapon. Hurd is also known for her roles in Starz’s hit horror comedy Ash Vs. Evil Dead, the Marvel Universe series’ Daredevil and Jessica Jones, and the A&E summer series, The Glades. Other television credits include: Pose, Hawaii Five-0, Devious Maids, 90210, Witches of East End, How To Get Away With Murder, Bosch, Mysteries of Laura, Pretty Little Liars, Raising Hope, The Good Wife, Law & Order: SVU, Gossip Girl, ER, Bones, According To Jim, Law & Order, Smith, Skin, Leap Years, Charmed, The O.C., Kevin Hill, The Practice and Another World. Other film credits include Bad Hair, Being Frank opposite Jim Gaffigan, Be Afraid, We Don’t Belong Here, Search Engines, Within The Dark, Girl Most Likely, Random Hearts, Personals, Double Parked, Wolf and King of New York. Theater credits include: The Dog in the Manger (Shakespeare Theatre Company), AMI (MCC), Getting Away with Murder (Broadway), The Violet Hour (Off-Broadway), Looking for the Pony (Off-Broadway), and 900 Oneonta (Off-Broadway). Hurd is a proud alumnus of NYC’s premiere artist community at Westbeth. Follow @ItsMichelleHurd
Russell Hornsby
Russell Hornsby stars in the Starz’s drama BLACK MAFIA FAMILY from G-Unit Films And Television in conjunction with Lionsgate. He will next be seen starring as Don King in Hulu’s Mike Tyson mini-series IRON MIKE.
Hornsby starred in the Oscar-nominated film FENCES, opposite Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Hornsby also recently starred opposite Regina King in the critically acclaimed Netflix mini-series SEVEN SECONDS, from Veena Sud (“The Killing”), appeared in an arc in Showtime’s THE AFFAIR and in the box office hit sequel CREED II opposite Michael B. Jordan. Russell also starred in the Fox series PROVEN INNOCENT from showrunner Danny Strong and in the titular role in NBC’s LINCOLN RHYME: HUNT FOR THE BONE COLLECTOR.