Rick Najera

Rick Najera, a native of California, has made a significant mark in the entertainment industry as an accomplished actor, writer, director, and producer. His journey began in acting, where he received invaluable guidance from notable figures such as Oscar-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg, comedian Cheech Marin, and Keenen Ivory Wayans. Faced with limited opportunities for Latino actors, Najera took initiative and began crafting his own narratives, which led him to write for the iconic sketch show, In Living Color.

In 2005, Najera achieved a historic milestone by making his Broadway debut with Latinologues™, a groundbreaking sketch comedy show that he not only wrote but also starred in. This show holds the distinction of being the longest-running and sole showcase of its kind for Latinos in the United States. His writing prowess further shone through with the holiday film Nothing Like the Holidays, featuring stars like Debra Messing and John Leguizamo, which earned him an Alma Award.

Najera's contributions to the industry have garnered him multiple accolades, including two Writers Guild of America nominations for his work on MADtv and recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential Latinos in America on two occasions. In addition to his creative endeavors, he has published four books, with his 2013 release, Almost White: Forced Confessions of a Latino in Hollywood, receiving critical acclaim.

Beyond his artistic achievements, Najera has directed the annual CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase for over a decade and is a sought-after speaker, sharing his insights with esteemed organizations such as The World Bank, Google, and Harvard Law School. He also contributed as a writer for the multi-Emmy-nominated Hulu series, East Los High, and is the producer of the talk show Latino Thought Makers.