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Child Advocate Public Speaker Screenwriter

Child Advocate Public Speaker Screenwriter

Child Advocate Public Speaker Screenwriter Child Advocate Public Speaker Screenwriter Child Advocate Public Speaker Screenwriter
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Antwone Fisher is an American screenwriter, poet, lecturer, best-selling author, and children's rights advocate. Antwone is the writer, co-producer and subject of the Fox Searchlight Pictures classic feature film, ANTWONE FISHER. His autobiographical book Finding Fish: A memoir is a New York Times bestseller.


Born in an Ohio prison to a teenage mother, Antwone became a ward of the state and was placed in foster care.  He lived two years in a caring foster home but was subsequently 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


Antwone set on a path of healing when he entered the United States Navy where he served his country for eleven years.  Antwone 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.  A U.S. Navy veteran, Antwone 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), Antwone 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.


Antwone 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.


Antwone garnered numerous nominations and awards for his screenplay, ANTWONE FISHER, including, NOMINATION Writers Guild of America West (Screen) Best Original Screenplay, 'Antwone Fisher.' WINNER Humanitas Prize, 'Antwone Fisher.' WINNER AFI Movie of the year, 'Antwone Fisher.' WINNER ShoWest Screenwriter of the year, National Association of Theater Owners, 'Antwone Fisher.' WINNER Christoper Award, 'Antwone Fisher.' WINNER NAACP Award, Outstanding Motion picture Award, 'Antwone Fisher.'


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


Antwone 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.  Antwone continues as a prolific writer with his stage project, ANTWONE FISHER: A PLAY; Antwone and 20th Century Fox are in partnership with this play. Antwone's present screenwriting project is with Columbia Pictures.


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

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA

"Mr. Fisher shared his heart-wrenching story, which quieted the audience as every person listened to, and attentively awaited his every word.  Though his story was filled with many tumultuous events, Mr. Fisher was very entertaining, delightful yet impactful.  His story proved to be the inspiration for the century!  I strongly recommend anyone in search of a great motivational speaker to consider Antwone Fisher." 

McMAHON RYAN CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER

Antwone was such a pleasure and inspiring for everyone. His testimony touched so many including our Mayor and Police Chief, who would love to try to collaborate and bring him back to speak with youth. Thank you.


Colleen Merced

Executive Director

McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center


FAMILY CONNECTION OF SC

Antwone did a wonderful presentation.  After speaking, he was very kind and approachable to folks who wanted a picture and to say a few words.  He is quite an inspiration.
Thank you!


Lauri Hammond

Cultural and Linguistic Competency Summit

AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE & STARTING LIFE

Aging out of foster care Book Antwone Fisher

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

LIVING THE STORY WRITING THE MEMOIR & FILM

Screenwriting by Antwone Fisher

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. 

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"I think back on a childhood full of longing for belonging, and see my life now as what I've created out of my dreams. An image comes to mind of Mrs. Brown at the orphanage in Cleveland, me sitting at her side telling her, 'you'll read about me someday.' I was defiantly dreaming then. With no evidence of that ever being possible, I clung to that preposterous vision and with the force of those dreams willed it and made it happen. Not because I needed to be famous, but I needed the world that made me feel uninvited to be wrong. So I imagined myself free, I imagined myself loved, I imagined myself... as somebody." - Antwone Fisher

Finding Fish: a memoir

Baby Boy Fisher was raised in institutions from the moment of his birth in prison to a single mother. He ultimately came to live with a foster family, In his mid-teens he escaped and enlisted in the navy, where he became a man of the world, raised by the family he created for himself.

Freedom Writers Podcast

Antwone Fisher, a screenwriter and children's rights advocate, tells his story of growing up in the foster care system. 

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Books by Antwone Fisher

Finding Fish a memoir by Antwone Fisher

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

This story is unlike the film, covers the life of a boy between both narrative by the author, and the writings of social workers who documented his life through reports and observations from visits with his foster parent and foster siblings. It gives an up close and personal look into life on the other side of childhood. A must read!

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A Boy Should Know How To Tie A Tie and Other Lessons For Succeeding In Life by Antwone Fisher

SELF IMPROVEMENT BOOK

Filled with inspiring stories, wisdom, and practical know-how, A Boy Should Know How to Tie a Tie.

With additional information about healthy eating, making smart financial decisions, and finding role models, Antwone Fisher offers a book filled with accessible life lessons.

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Who Will Cry for the Little Boy by Antwone Fisher

LITTLE BOOK OF POEMS

A plaintive, haunting tribute to a childhood lost to abuse and neglect, to "Azure Indigo," the uplifting and touching poem about his daughters, many readers will find their own feelings and experiences reflected in this lyrical and passionate collection.

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