New York, July 12, 2016 – Today, OVERTURE announces Colman Domingo – an accomplished actor and writer who currently plays Victor Strand on AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead (as well as Dr. Russell Daniels on Cinemax’s series The Knick) – will be the Digital Humanitarian™ organization’s first celebrity ambassador. Domingo will participate in live events and awareness campaigns to further OVERTURE’s vision to help alleviate worldwide humanitarian issues, such as the many ongoing refugee crises, via technological innovation.
Says Domingo: “Fear the Walking Dead’s a survival thriller; and I play a man of means who is suddenly ‘without’ after the zombie apocalypse. My character’s one of many always on the run… in survival mode. Tapping into that panic, fear and loss each week gives me true empathy for what refugees experience daily… the constant search for food, water, shelter and safety, let alone the hope for wellbeing and relief from worry. Don’t get me wrong, I would never say I fully understand how that feels, but having even an inkling of the kind of suffering refugees endure makes me feel compelled to do something about it. When I learned about OVERTURE, and what they hope to accomplish, I was more than happy to lend a hand.”
Colman Domingo’s other television credits include guest roles on: Law & Order (and spinoffs Criminal Intent and Trial by Jury); Great Performances; Nash Bridges; Lucifer; and the mini-series Horace and Pete. His filmography includes pivotal roles in Selma, True Crime, Lincoln, and Lee Daniels’ The Butler. Domingo is an Olivier- and Tony Award-nominated actor (for the musical "The Scottsboro Boys"); and he is an award-winning playwright honored by GLAAD and the Lucille Lortel Awards. He lives and works in London and New York, the two primary cities in which OVERTURE operates.
Adds OVERTURE founder Donnovan Andrews: “I’m a huge fan of Colman’s theater and film work as well [as his television roles] and thrilled to partner with him. His portrayal of a man fleeing an outbreak, on Fear the Walking Dead, actually brings the refugee experience into people’s homes each week – I’m not sure everyone watching sees the parallels [between the storyline and what real-life refugees experience] but Colman truly does. And, he’s the first of what we hope will be many celebrity ambassadors who’ll help spread the word about OVERTURE’s Digital Humanitarian™ mission: we’re fostering conversations (between global business, governmental and NGO influencers); and will lead development and delivery of tech-driven solutions aimed at helping to improve the conditions of forced migration situations and other humanitarian emergencies around the globe.”
OVERTURE works to bring the right decision-makers together and nurtures partnerships that enable the idea-generation, tech development, funding and distribution needed to enact global change. To promote coalitions and action, OVERTURE hosts periodic, invitation-only events in NY and London; staff is planning the organization’s inaugural annual event, “The Forum,” slated for fall 2016.
ABOUT OVERTURE
OVERTURE unites innovative technology companies and international development nonprofits to solve global humanitarian crises. Through ongoing events, we assemble Members to share sector-specific expertise, identify shared priorities and develop sustainable solutions to issues plaguing humanity. OVERTURE believes in a world where digital humanitarians™ collaborate for good. Based in New York, OVERTURE is global in scope and currently partners with 30 Members. www.overtureglobal.io