In front of the camera and behind it, the Chicano representation in Hollywood is skewed, portraying this community of around 50 million US citizens in a dishonest light. To shatter negative stereotypes, amplify the Chicano voices, and tell their stories with authentic faces, Johnny Murillo founded Chicano Hollywood, a multi-faceted platform offering a comprehensive suite of programs, workshops, events, and more that foster a thriving ecosystem for economic growth. Chicano Hollywood On a mission to perfect an entertainment-based economic ecosystem that harnesses the Latino and Hispanic buying power, Chicano Hollywood aims to represent the community’s voice in every aspect of culture and society. Supported by recognizable Latino faces and passionate advocates for change, the organization’s ecosystem boasts a kaleidoscope of features, from its ChicanoHollywood.tvstreaming app and The Freelance Latino platform to masterclasses with industry experts, live training events, and – the newest addition – the Chicano Hollywood Magazine. Every component supports its overarching mission of propelling the community into the mainstream. For instance, ChicanoHollywood.tv was created to address the pertinent issue of Latino content not getting greenlit by studios and – as a result – often sent to YouTube, instead of fully-fledged and renowned streaming platforms. On the other hand, The Freelance Latino is a community portal for Latino and Hispanic people to network, find work opportunities – from real estate to mechanics and creative gigs – and hire each other, ultimately fueling the economic cycle within the community. What sparked Chicano Hollywood was the set of Horchata with Oat Milk, a story about the adjustments and effects of gentrification, which epitomized the existing social standing of Chicanos in the US. Johnny, the film’s writer, shares: “There, I met Antony, an amazing Latino actor with a supporting role. I kept wondering: ‘Why isn’t he an A-lister?’ And then I realized that Hollywood isn’t set up to uplift our community. Everyone favors someone; the producers, directors, even the paparazzi, but none of them care about elevating Chicanos.” Johnny Murillo Raised in a barrio by a mother with five kids and surrounded by gangs and gun violence, Johnny witnessed the dark side of the world firsthand. Through that experience, he was also able to appreciate the beautiful moments that shaped him – the vibrant culture, the community bonds, and a unique perspective exclusive to Chicanos. A former pastor for 23 years who – 16 years ago – followed an insatiable urge to redefine Hollywood, focuses his efforts on shattering stereotypes and letting the true voices and faces of Chicanos shine. From an inside on-set joke and one hoodie with CHICANO HOLLYWOOD inked in large letters to a catalyst of change in the Latino and Hispanic community, the organization’s unique approach has spurred immense growth, creating endless opportunities for both sides of the industry. By building tools underneath the community, Chicano Hollywood elevates influencers, podcasters, actors, directors, producers, musicians, and other artists trying to make it in this city of angels and broken dreams. In pursuit of creating a large platform that supports Chicanos on their path to stardom, Chicano Hollywood is open to partnerships with investors, producers, artists, and entrepreneurs alike. With the upcoming launch of the Chicano Hollywood Magazine, those who share Johnny’s vision – a vision of a world devoid of discrimination where everyone is judged for their talent, not their skin color or background – can contribute to a human-centric movement that fuses equality and economic opportunity. “Chicanos have the power for economic, social, and cultural self-reliance within our community,” stresses Johnny. “But that prowess is stifled by persistent stereotypes that not only hinder success for millions of creators but also deprive the general public of the diverse and vivid Chicano perspective. It’s not all gangs and gun violence, and if the mainstream media refuses to portray our voices accurately, we have to do it ourselves, unapologetically showing our true faces and stories to the world.” The post Chicano Hollywood – Authentic Voices and True Stories: A Unique Ecosystem for Community Growth and Representation appeared first on LA Weekly.