PRESS RELEASE
April 15, 2009 CONTACT: Jean Lamm
Interim Executive Director, Beet Street
(970) 419-8240 office
(970) 214-0398 cell
JLamm@BeetStreet.org
AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, ACTIVIST COMES TO TOWN
Edward James Olmos speaks as part of “Finding Home” immigration series
FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Beet Street announces We’re All in the Same Gang with Edward James
Olmos, Tuesday, April 28, 7pm at the Lincoln Center.
The event is the sixth presentation in the Beet Street Thought Leaders series, and is part of
the Beet Street-sponsored Finding Home community immigration series.
Olmos is an award-winning actor, producer, director and community activist who shares the
inspiring story of how he survived the barrio to succeed on his own terms by making tough choices.
In his presentation We’re All in the Same Gang, Olmos identifies defining moments that shaped
his positive and rewarding path in life. He emphasizes the need for all races to combine their
strengths, and he explains how diversity works to our society’s advantage.
Presented by Beet Street, Finding Home is a month-long community series that puts
immigration in the spotlight, and features more than 15 local organizations hosting performances,
lectures and exhibits designed to celebrate cultural heritage, explore artistic styles and stimulate
community awareness.
The Beet Street Thought Leaders series is designed to “Entertain Your Brain” by bringing
knowledgeable, dynamic speakers to the Fort Collins community to present relevant topics people
care about.
Named by Hispanic Magazine as the nation's most influential Hispanic-American, Olmos has
appeared on Broadway (Zoot Suit), in film (Stand and Deliver, Selena, Blade Runner, Mi Familia,
American Me, Wolfen) and on television (Miami Vice, American Family).
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Beet Street · Fort Collins, Colorado · (970) 419-8240 · www.beetstreet.org

PAGE 2 EDWARD JAMES OLMOS
Olmos currently stars on the Sci-Fi Channel's critically-acclaimed series Battlestar Galactica,
which was named by Time magazine and Rolling Stone as the best show of 2005.
Olmos also directed HBO's Walkout, a drama that tells the true but little-known story of a
group of Chicano students who staged a compelling 1968 walkout to protest the injustices of the East
Los Angeles public high school system.
Olmos is a U.S. Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, a national spokesperson for the Juvenile
Diabetes Foundation, and Executive Director of the Lives in Hazard Educational Project, a national
gang prevention program funded by the U.S Department of Justice.
Olmos embraces culture, diversity and racial harmony as the American ideal. In his
presentations, Olmos explains his heritage and how it relates to our need to reconcile history books
with actual history, as well as the importance of being an activist for the causes in which you believe.
When asked whether Olmos presents a pro-immigrant perspective on immigration, Beet
Street Interim Executive Director Jean Lamm said, “Edward James Olmos offers a unique immigration
perspective based on his own personal story as the son of immigrants.”
“Life in the barrio shaped Olmos as a person, and inspired his sincere interest in gang
prevention and wanting to see kids succeed,” said Lamm. “Olmos reminds us that everyone is
connected, and he shows us how positive life choices can benefit society as a whole.”
The question-and-answer portion of the presentation on April 28 will give audience members
the opportunity to ask Olmos specific questions, and VIP ticket holders are invited to meet the
speaker at a private reception after the presentation.
General admission tickets for Edward James Olmos are $10, VIP seating and Meet the Speaker
tickets are $15, and student/senior (60+) tickets are $8. Tickets are available at www.lctix.com and by
calling (970) 221-6730. For more information about Edward James Olmos and other Finding Home
events, visit www.BeetStreet.org.
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ABOUT BEET STREET
Beet Street is an economic development initiative created by the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority in 2007 to distinguish
Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado, as a cultural destination that fosters, celebrates and inspires human creativity through diverse cultural
experiences and programming. Beet Street creates a collaborative learning community in Fort Collins where everyone of every age is
welcome to share in discussion, reflection and creative expression. Visit www.BeetStreet.org or contact (970) 419-8240 for more
information.
Beet Street · Fort Collins, Colorado · (970) 419-8240 · www.beetstreet.org