From episode: An up close and personal conversation with Actor, Naheem Garcia
It sounds like your "Bet On Self" moment was about six years ago when you decided to fully embrace your passion for acting and mentoring. Despite facing challenges and doubts, you chose to invest your time and energy into what truly made you happy and fulfilled. You recognized your talents and your potential to make a positive impact on others, especially young people. Your life partner's encouragement and your mother's support played a significant role in reinforcing your confidence in this decision.
It's inspiring to hear how you've persevered through the ups and downs of self-employment, staying committed to your passion even on the tough days. Your dedication to your craft and your desire to use acting as a tool for personal discovery and growth in others demonstrate a strong sense of purpose. Your story is a testament to the importance of believing in oneself and following one's passions, even when faced with uncertainties.
Thank you for sharing your journey and the moments that have shaped your path. Your positive impact on the lives of the people you've mentored and worked with is undoubtedly a result of your genuine dedication and belief in your mission. (Press play and Listen to the full conversation with actor, educator, and activist, Naheem Garcia)
More about Naheem
Naheem Garcia, (he/him/his), Teaching Artist, Codman Academy Partnership and August Wilson Monologue Competition, professionally known as Naheem, has been an actor and theatre educator for more than twenty years. He grew up in Boston, arriving here from Cuba with his mother, grandmother and aunt in 1968. He is proudly bilingual (English and Spanish) and known for his deep, mellifluous voice. Naheem has worked extensively in the Northeast, including with The Huntington Theatre Company, Boston Youth Theatre, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Company One, Kennedy Library (Moakley Public Speaking Program), and New African Theatre Company. He is an adjudicator for Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild. In recognition of his excellence as a theatre educator, he represented the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation for NeighborWorks American and Community Leadership Institute in 2017. A member of AFTRA and SAG, Naheem has appeared in several prominent Hollywood-and independently-produced feature films. A selected list includes; The Sleepover (Netflix), Emma (Hallmark), Free Guy (Ryan Reynolds), Jungleland (Charlie Hunnam, Jessica Barden, Jack O’Connell), Equalizer2 (Denzel Washington), Daddy’s Home2 (Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow), Joy (Jennifer Lawrence), Black Mass (Johnny Depp), The Proposal (Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds), The Heat (Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy), Lift (Kerry Washington), Maiden Heist (Morgan Freeman, Christopher Waken, William H. Macy, Marsha Gay Harden), and Purge3 Election Year (Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mykelti Williamson). His television work includes Showtime’s SMILF (Frankie Shaw and Rosie O’Donnell) and voice-over work and appearances in commercials for Subways, Dunkin Donuts and Visa. Naheem’s work has been lauded by his peers and he received the El Planeta Powermeter 100 (2014) and Sojourner Truth Award (2007). He completed the Aesthetic Education Immersion program with the Lincoln Center Summer Forum at Julliard in 2017. Naheem continues his path as an actor and theatre educator whose mission is to represent and encourage audiences and youth through his work.