FAMU Forward July 18, 2017 African American Film Critics Association to Honor Rattler Rob Hardy The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) will celebrate the career achievements of FAMU alumnus and producer/director Rob Hardy during its Sixth Annual SYNERGY event in Atlanta on Thursday, July 20. A signature program of the organization, AAFCA SYNERGY provides an opportunity for creative professionals in Atlanta and the Southeast to connect and collaborate with their peers. Hardy will join an outstanding group of Atlanta-based entrepreneurs and creatives who have been acknowledged by the organization. Previous AAFCA SYNERGY Award recipients include FAMU alumni Tirrell Whittley and Nick Nelson, principals of the media marketing company, Liquid Soul. Hardy is responsible for a successful pipeline of films (created alongside one-time producing partner Will Packer) that include "Trois," "The Gospel," "Think Like A Man" and "Think Like A Man Too." For "Trois" and "The Gospel," he pulled extra duty as director. In television, he has amassed an impressive resume, directing episodes of such popular TV shows as "Power," "Blindspot," "Criminal Minds," "The Flash" and "Vampire Diaries," among others. Recently, BET picked up the second season of "The Quad," starring FAMU alumna Anika Noni Rose as the president of a Black college, which Hardy co-created and serves as an executive producer. "Rob Hardy was an early proponent of creating films and other creative content in the Southeast and is a living testament to the immense opportunities that are possible for a growing number of producers, directors and content creators based in the Southeast," said AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson. "Atlanta's position as a player in film and TV production is now undeniable, and SYNERGY is honored to celebrate game-changers like Rob Hardy with a platform that encourages, inspires and connects others who are following that lead and further strengthen the region's prime position." Hardy earned a mechanical engineering degree from FAMU. ABOUT AAFCA SYNERGY AAFCA SYNERGY is a tentpole program for the African American Film Critics Association. The event provides an intimate environment where professionals in Atlanta's growing film and TV industry can meet, mix and mingle with their peers in the industry. AAFCA SYNERGY's primary goal is to provide an atmosphere where the creative and business communities in Atlanta can come together to plant the seeds of collaboration. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/