Ryan Coogler may have grown up in Oakland, California, but he has found a second home in the city of Los Angeles, California. After earning a graduate degree at Trousdale Parkway, the critically-acclaimed director will return to the University of Southern California as a member of the school’s Cinematic Arts Board of Councilors.
Coogler has taken what he learned at USC and brought it to the big screen. In his young career, the Oakland native has played a major role in films like Fruitvale Station, Judas and the Black Messiah, Creed and Black Panther. In 2023, he is also set to executive produce an Ironheart series for Disney+.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Dean Daley, Kevin Feige, and Donna Langley for this esteemed opportunity, and I am excited to be joining alongside my friend Tracy Oliver, who has blazed her own incredible trail in film and television,” Coogler said.
“I look forward to working with them and the other distinguished members of the board to support SCA’s continued pursuit of building the best environment for their students.”
Coogler is not the only USC graduate returning to campus. Tracy Oliver will also join the university’s Cinematic Arts Board of Councilors. Oliver is best known for her work on Harlem, Girls Trip, Survivor’s Remorse and Little.
“Attending USC’s School of Cinematic Arts forever changed my trajectory in the best way possible,” Oliver said.
“As a proud alum, I’m very honored to be joining this esteemed board, alongside so many people I admire, and excited to reunite with my old film school buddy, Ryan Coogler, whose incredible work inspired me back then and continues to today.”
