Bambadjan Bamba

Bambadjan Bamba is an award-winning actor, filmmaker, and immigrant rights advocate. He was born in the Ivory Coast (Cote D'Ivoire) and spent his adolescent years between Abidjan, the south Bronx, and Virginia. He studied at the Conservatory of Film and Dramatic Arts in New York City. He has worked in prominent roles on numerous hit television shows like "The Good Place," and "Grey's Anatomy," and in blockbuster films like "Black Panther," and "Suicide Squad." Bambadjan is also the owner of IvoStar Pictures an independent production company based in Los Angeles that focuses on producing African content.

In 2017 Bambadjan publicly disclosed that he was a recipient of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). Ever since Bambadjan has used his inspirational story to change the conversation around immigration. His writing was published on Variety, the Washington Post, NBC, CNN and he is a contributor in the New York Times bestseller "American Like Me: Reflections on life between cultures" by award-winning actress America Ferrera.

Bambadjan is also the recipient of the Courageous Advocate Award from the ACLU and the Courageous Luminary award from NILC (National Immigration Law Center). He gives talks at college campuses, events, and media outlets around the country. He serves as a board member for the African Artists Association. Website: Bambadjan.com