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Antwone Fisher        

Child Advocate, Bestselling Author, Screenwriter & Lecturer

Born in an Ohio prison to a teenage mother, Antwone Fisher became a ward of the state and was placed in foster care. He lived two years in a caring foster home but was removed and suffered twelve years of abuse at the hands of his new foster family. Unable to land another home for him, at age 14, he was relocated to a penal institution for teenaged boys in western Pennsylvania where he remained until he graduated high school at 17. Emancipated from foster care, he found himself in the world alone and homeless, living on the streets of Cleveland, Ohio.

Fisher set on a path of healing when he entered the United States Navy, where he served his country for eleven years; nine years at sea, two ashore, four deployments and one forward deployment duty, stationed aboard the USS St. Louis LKA 116. Fisher was awarded or earned the following ribbons and medals while serving on active duty: Navy E Ribbon, Two (2) Navy Good Conduct medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three Bronze Stars. Fisher received a secret security clearance while assigned duty at NAVCAMS EASTPAC Wahiawa, Hawaii. A U.S. Navy veteran, Fisher was appointed to the honorary rank of Chief Petty Officer by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy, on October 5, 2009.

After his honorable discharge from the U.S. military at the rank of E-5 (SH2), Fisher became a Federal Correctional Officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and after three years of service, he took a job with Sony Pictures Studios and worked as a Sony Security Officer for eight months before he began writing the screenplay for his own story.

Fisher has worked in Hollywood as a screenwriter for more than twenty-six years with an impressive fifteen film writing projects, script doctoring or script consultant assignments with the major studios. Among those film projects are, Rush Hour, ATL and the classic feature film, Antwone Fisher, directed by and starring Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington.

Fisher garnered numerous nominations and awards for his screenplay, Antwone Fisher, including, Nomination for Writers Guild of America West (Screen) Best Original Screenplay, 'Antwone Fisher.' Winner of Humanitas Prize, 'Antwone Fisher.' Winner of AFI Movie of the year, 'Antwone Fisher.' Winner of ShoWest Screenwriter of the year, National Association of Theater Owners, 'Antwone Fisher.' Winner of Christoper Award, 'Antwone Fisher.' Winner of NAACP Award, Outstanding Motion picture Award, 'Antwone Fisher.' The film, Antwone Fisher, is part of the national film registry at the U.S. Library of Congress.

In 2005 Fisher was listed among Fade In Magazine’s “100 People in Hollywood you need to know.” On April 23, 2013. Fisher testified before the Senate Finance Committee. The hearing titled: The Antwone Fisher Story as a Case Study for Child Welfare. Fishers' first book, “Finding Fish: A Memoir,” chronicles his inspiring story and became a New York Times and National Bestseller. Fisher has taught in the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television as well as UCLA Extension Writers Program. On May 10, 2003 Fisher L.H.D. received an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters from Cleveland State University.

His collection of poetry, “Who Will Cry For the Little Boy?,” a national bestseller, creatively reveals the road from his tumultuous childhood to the man he is today. His poem “Who Will Cry for the Little Boy” is featured in Nikki Giovanni's book, "Hip Hop Speaks to Children." Fisher's third book, “A Boy Should Know How to Tie a Tie,” won the award for best Literary Work- Instructional from the 2011 NAACP awards.

Fisher made his film directing debut with the award-winning short film, My Summer Friend. He produced wrote and directed the 2013 documentary, This Life of Mine, The Leon T. Garr Story. Fisher continues as a prolific writer with his stage project, Antwone Fisher: A Play; Fisher and 20th Century Fox are in partnership with this play. Fisher's present screenwriting project is with Columbia Pictures.

Fisher is a member of the Writers Guild of America West.

Speech Topics


Living The Story Writing The Memoir & Film

The world first heard of Antwone Fisher’s Story of perseverance, determination, and courage in the film Antwone Fisher, and the publication of Finding Fish, his memoir of a childhood spent in foster care.

Aging Out of Foster Care & Starting Life

Antwone Fisher is very familiar with the subject of child abuse, the challenges of life in foster care, teenage homelessness and the healing power of the Arts. He addresses these issues with sensitivity, honesty and inspiration.

The Arts

Throughout his life, Antwone has used the arts as a form of self expression to get him through his toughest times. He found his voice as an artist, and he talks about how all forms of art, from painting and drawing to dance, music, museums and other forms of culture are so vital to the growth of human character and well being.

How To Tie a Tie: and Other Lessons For Succeeding in Life

It wasn’t until Antwone was a navy recruit that he realized this smartly dressed man had never taken the time to teach him how to be well-groomed to reflect on the outside the man he was becoming on the inside. "A boy ought to know how to tie a tie," he thought angrily, as he struggled to master the navy’s required half-Windsor knot. Filled with inspiring stories, wisdom, and practical know-how, Antwone’s presentation to young people (both male and female) helps them to develop a sense of purpose and worth, and lay a foundation for success.

The Antwone Fisher Story

The world first learned of Antwone Fisher’s story of perseverance, determination, and courage film Antwone Fisher, starring Denzel Washington, and the publication of Finding Fish, his memoir of a childhood spent in foster homes. It also learned that within him beat the heart of an artist -- a major factor in his resilience and recovery. In his riveting and inspiring presentation (complete with lots of Q&A), Antwone shares how he learned to rise above his situation, how he found a family he never knew existed, and later how he went on to build a loving family of his own.

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