Take a closer look at some of Hollywood's top-tier talent at the beginning of their careers.

Child Stars, Then and Now

Take a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s top-tier talent at the beginning of their careers.

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These Stars Are on the Rise

Gary "Litefoot" Davis, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, has been a notable figure in Indian Country for nearly 30 years. First recognized for his considerable achievements in music, film and television with eight award winning albums, as well as award-winning starring roles in such films as, The Indian in The Cupboard (Paramount Pictures) and appearances on television programs such as, House of Cards (Netflix) and numerous inspirational concert tours which have taken him to nearly every tribal nation in the United States.

Mr. Davis recently launched IndigiStudios, an indigenous film and production company focused on a slate of theatrical, episodic, and documentary projects all centered around the company's mission of reclaiming the indigenous narrative in film and television. The first project released by IndigiStudios is the documentary short film written and directed by Davis, Strong Hearts: An Indigenous Love Letter To My Sons. It will be followed by several other film projects he intends to either write, direct or produce.

In 2022, Davis will lend his voice acting talents to various roles in an upcoming animated indigenous children's cartoon series for Netflix.

In addition to his pursuits in the arts, Mr. Davis has served as the chief executive officer at prominent national tribal economic development organizations, is a member of the Forbes Finance Council and is a seasoned entrepreneur having started his first business in 1992. His consulting firm, Davis Strategy Group, serves an array of tribal and corporate clients.

His ascension in national tribal economic development began in 2007, when he became Vice-President of U.S. Native Affairs for the Triple Five Group (owners of the Mall of America) and co-chair of the National Indian Gaming Association's, American Indian Business Network. He has since led the largest annual gathering of tribal and indigenous entrepreneurs in North America, operated multiple federal programs, and led various initiatives related to business and entrepreneurship across Indian Country.

He has twice testified before the U.S. Senate and is astute at policy matters related to Indian Country. He is a relentless advocate for tribal sovereignty and advancing business in Indian Country and has been appointed as an ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy's Minorities in Energy (2015) and Equity in Energy (2020) initiatives as well as an appointment to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Council on Underserved Communities (2016).

He is an accomplished international public speaker and has presented to audiences ranging from colleges and universities, major corporations, to serving as the featured keynote speech at the World Indigenous Business Forum in Guatemala City, Guatemala and providing remarks at Hannover Messe, the world's largest trade fair for industrial technology, in Hannover, Germany.

Mr. Davis is a recipient of the prestigious Sevenstar Award from the Cherokee Nation Historical Society and received the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency's National Director Special Recognition Award in 2015. Mr. Davis was also recognized by Scholastic Books in their publication "Native American Heroes" in 2019.

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